{{Short description|Hotel in San Diego, California}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = C Street Inn | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = {{Plainlist| *Hotel Polhemus {{small|(1913–31)}} *Cecil Hotel {{small|(1931–90s)}} }} | alternate_names = | awards = | image = C Street Inn (2013).jpeg | image_alt = | image_size = | image_caption = The building in 2013 | location = Core | address = 630–636 C St, San Diego, California, 92101, United States | location_city = San Diego | location_country = United States of America | coordinates = {{coord|32|43|01.1|N|117|09|31.6|W|display=inline}} | altitude = | status = complete | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | construction_stop_date = | completion_date = 1913 | opened_date = {{Start date|1914}} | inauguration_date = | demolished_date = | architect = {{Plainlist| * Arthur J. Hamilton * Hamilton & Smith Brothers }} | landlord = Jack Shah Rafiq | owner = Jax Properties LLC | cost = $75,000 | floor_area = | top_floor = 6 | floor_count = 6 above ground; 1 basement level | parking = | public_transit = | embed = | embedded = | references = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_relief = | building_type = Apartment hotel (SRO)<ref name=":9" /> | architectural_style = Edwardian Commercial | structural_system = Concrete and brick | client = | current_tenants = | height = | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | observatory = | other_dimensions = | elevator_count = | architecture_firm = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | designations = | ren_architect = | renovation_date = | ren_awards = | ren_firm = | ren_cost = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_engineer = | ren_contractor = | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = | etymology = | classification = | closing_date = | affiliation = | cancelled = | topped_out = | topped_out_date = | grid_name = | grid_position = | namesake = | relocated_date = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | material = | size = | grounds_area = | developer = Chaffey Concrete Construction Company | engineer = | known_for = {{Hlist|Class A|fireproof}} | number_of_rooms = 100<ref name=":19" /> | website = | footnotes = }}
The '''C Street Inn''', formerly known as the '''Hotel Polhemus''' and '''Cecil Hotel''', is an affordable housing complex in downtown San Diego's Core district that was vacated in 2022 due to egregious conditions. It was built in 1912 and opened in 1913 with 100 rooms.
Since the 2010s, the basement was utilized as a film studio and performance venue called Gray Area Multimedia. In 2022, the city began a relocation process for all of the hotel's residents after it was vacated for its awful living environment.
Throughout the hotel's history, several minor fires caused damage, triggering temporary evacuations and it has been the location of numerous criminal incidents.
== History == Arthur J. Hamilton was the building's architect who also designed the Robert E. Lee Hotel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1930-02-22 |title=Local Architect Dies Suddenly: A. J. Hamilton, Designer of Polhemus Hotel, Succumbs to Heart Disease |work=San Diego Union}}</ref> The concrete building was erected in 1912 for $75,000. Hamilton & Smith Brothers planned for the first floor to be occupied by stores. Chaffey Concrete Construction Company was assigned to construct the building<ref>{{Cite web |date=1912-07-14 |title=Contract Let For Six-Story Hotel |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19120714.2.124&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-------- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=San Diego Union and Daily Bee |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}</ref> located at 630–636 C Street<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Jennewein |first=Chris |date=2022-07-26 |title=City Attorney Orders Crumbling SRO Hotel Downtown to Be Vacated |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2022/07/25/city-attorney-orders-crumbling-sro-hotel-downtown-to-be-vacated/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Times of San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":14" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-07 |title=THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO Historical Resources Board |url=https://sandiego.cfwebtools.com/images/files/SR%20636.pdf |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=California Historical Resources Inventory Database}}</ref> in Core, San Diego.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003 |title=State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION PRIMARY RECORD |url=https://sandiego.cfwebtools.com/images/files/630-636%20C.pdf |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=California Historical Resources Inventory Database}}</ref>
=== 1913–1930: Hotel Polhemus === left|thumb|181x181px|Artwork of the building in 1914 In 1913, Willis P. Polhemus owned the new building and the land it sat on.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=1920-06-27 |title=Hotel lease and furnishings sold to Kansas man |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19200627.2.108&srpos=10&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22polhemus+hotel%22------- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=San Diego Union and Daily Bee |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1934-02-12 |title=Cecil Hotel Sold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-cecil-hotel-sold/156346702/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> R.B. Thorbus was the proprietor and manager in 1914.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1914-03-27 |title=Here It Is --- Look! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-here-it-is-look/156691365/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Florence C. Thorbus ran the La Mesa School of Expression for Motion Pictures out of the hotel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thorbus |first=Florence C. |date=1915-07-08 |title=La Mesa School of Expression for Motion Pictures |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-times-advocate-la-mesa-school-of-e/156691400/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=Daily Times-Advocate |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In January 1920, the Industrial Welfare Commission held a meeting at the hotel, focusing on minimum wages for employed women in San Diego.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1920-01-06 |title=To explain details of women's wage law |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19200106.2.45&srpos=6&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22polhemus+hotel%22------- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=San Diego Union and Daily Bee |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}</ref> That same month librarian Mary Elizabeth Downey stayed at the Polhemus while in town to speak at the San Diego Public Library.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1920-01-13 |title=Prominent Librarian to Speak Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-prominent-librarian-to/156732892/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1921, A.P. Wilkinson sold the hotel to George A. Brown and J. H. Sprague.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1921-04-04 |title=Big Reality Deals Are Consumated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-big-reality-deals-are/156750653/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1929, Hotel del Coronado room clerk Edgar P. Schiller was hired as manager after the Polhemus was leased to George W. Wood.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1929-01-07 |title=Hotel is Leased |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-hotel-is-leased/156734069/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
=== 1931–1990: Cecil Hotel === {{See also|Cecil Hotel (San Diego)}} left|thumb|153x153px|The building in the 1930s In 1931, the Cecil was relocated to the Polhemus building that was refurnished, redecorated, and expanded to 100 rooms from its former location.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news |date=1931-01-03 |title=Hotel Cecil in San Diego moves into new place |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/imperial-valley-press-hotel-cecil-in-san/156633093/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |work=Imperial Valley Press |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Roland Schneider was elected secretary and former secretary Whitten was elected treasurer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1931-01-19 |title=Mosher Takes Office Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-mosher-takes-office-to/156346441/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1934, Polhemus sold the property to an undisclosed buyer for $75,000.<ref name=":4" />
In 1990, a fire started on the third floor, which 25 tenants were evacuated. A cigarette from a new tenant caused a blaze of $2,500 in damages.<ref name=":15" />
=== 1991–2022: C Street Inn === In the 1990s, Hotel Cecil became known as the C Street Inn.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1990-06-21 |title=25 Evacuated During Apartment Blaze |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-21-me-217-story.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=The Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |id={{ProQuest|281178609}}}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1999-07-24 |title=Man leaps to escape hotel fire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-county-times-man-leaps-to-escape-h/156345500/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=North County Times |pages=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1998, the inn was damaged from a fire and 40 people were evacuated due to a cigarette igniting a mattress on the fourth floor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=40 evacuated when fire damages downtown hotel |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/271616823 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=San Diego Union Tribune |language=en |id={{ProQuest|271616823}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Early morning fire rousts hotel guests; none injured {{!}} Burning mattress in 4th-floor hall |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/271623161 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=San Diego Union Tribune |language=en |id={{ProQuest|271623161}}}}</ref> In 1999, another fire broke out causing evacuation of the building. Police safely helped a man who jumped out of his hotel window to avoid smoke inhalation.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Joe |date=1999-07-24 |title=Fire routs residents {{!}} 1 injured in 2-alarm blaze at SRO hotel; halogen lamp cited |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/271643843 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=San Diego Union Tribune |language=en |id={{ProQuest|271643843}}}}</ref>
In 2009, the hotel faced a default.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Connie |date=2009-07-06 |title=Number of Hotel Foreclosures, Defaults Increasing |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/226944527 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=San Diego Business Journal |page=4 |language=en |id={{ProQuest|226944527}}}}</ref> In 2014, a body was found by a maintenance worker after a guest complained of an odor. Police said it was not a suspicious death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kucher |first=Karen |date=2014-12-01 |title=Body found in downtown SD hotel |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/12/01/body-found-in-downtown-sd-hotel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004161735/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/12/01/body-found-in-downtown-sd-hotel/ |archive-date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Vacate and tenant relocation ==== In 2022, the hotel had to be vacated for infestations of mold, rodents, fire hazards and horrid living conditions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Jasmine |date=2022-07-25 |title=Downtown San Diego hotel to be vacated due to rodents, mold, other hazards |url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/downtown-san-diego-hotel-to-be-vacated-due-to-deplorable-conditions/509-acf69ef8-a6f0-4f95-86e7-4d8aa310393b |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=KFMB-TV |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Downtown San Diego hotel to be vacated due to 'deplorable' conditions |url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/downtown-san-diego-hotel-to-be-vacated-due-to-deplorable-conditions |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=KGTV |language=en}}</ref> The city and attorney Mara Elliott said owner Jack Shah Rafiq and his company Jax Properties LLC<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Figueroa |first=Teri |date=2022-09-30 |title=San Diego City Attorney seeking penalties from owner of downtown hotel declared 'public nuisance' |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2022-09-30/c-street-inn-injunction-lawsuit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930233149/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2022-09-30/c-street-inn-injunction-lawsuit |archive-date=2022-09-30 |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Downtown News Briefs – Feb. 2023 |url=https://sdnews.com/downtown-news-briefs-feb-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327035005/https://sdnews.com/downtown-news-briefs-feb-2023/ |archive-date=2023-03-27 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=SDNews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> would be held responsible for covering the occupants' relocation costs that totaled $339,840.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Ayuntamiento: Propietario de hotel de 109 años de antigüedad en el centro de San Diego recibe orden para ayudar a reubicar a 72 ocupantes |url=https://www.telemundo20.com/noticias/local/ayuntamiento-propietario-de-hotel-de-109-anos-de-antiguedad-en-el-centro-de-san-diego-recibe-orden-para-ayudar-a-reubicar-a-72-ocupantes/2225812/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Telemundo San Diego (20) |language=es}}</ref> Rafiq appealed and claimed the city wanted low-income residents out of the area.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Dillon |date=2022-07-25 |title=Downtown hotel with 'deplorable' conditions vacated by city |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/downtown-hotel-with-deplorable-conditions-vacated-by-city/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=KSWB-TV |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Downtown San Diego hotel to be vacated because of 'deplorable' conditions |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/07/25/downtown-san-diego-hotel-to-be-vacated-because-of-deplorable-conditions |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}}</ref>
A fire marshal and police attempted to get people out in April, but that was unsuccessful after they spoke with Rafiq. Tenants received a 10 day eviction notice in May that was not followed up.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Warth |first1=Gary |last2=Cook |first2=Morgan |date=2022-07-27 |title=Hotel residents say future uncertain as they face eviction from building city says is unsafe |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/san-diego/story/2022-07-26/hotel-residents-say-future-uncertain-as-they-face-eviction |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727020842/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/san-diego/story/2022-07-26/hotel-residents-say-future-uncertain-as-they-face-eviction |archive-date=2022-07-27 |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=The San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Elliott announced in July that the building was a public nuisance and that residents would be relocated.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /> Neil Rico was living in the building at the time and claimed the situation was unfair to tenants who relied on the living quarters there to meet their fixed and limited incomes.<ref name=":5" /> In August, a receiver was appointed control of the property.<ref name=":12" />
== Basement == The basement of the building has entrances from the main lobby of the hotel and a stairway from a business entrance on Seventh Ave.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Morgan |date=2022-08-24 |title=Some tenants of downtown hotel fear city eviction will lead to homelessness |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/08/24/some-tenants-of-downtown-hotel-fear-city-eviction-will-lead-to-homelessness/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004230333/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/08/24/some-tenants-of-downtown-hotel-fear-city-eviction-will-lead-to-homelessness/ |archive-date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In the mid 2010s, it was used as a performance venue and film studio called Gray Area Multimedia,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Friend of the World at Gray Area Multimedia - filming location |url=https://www.sceen-it.com/sceen/6176/Friend-of-the-World/Gray-Area-Multimedia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528015029/https://www.sceen-it.com/sceen/6176/Friend-of-the-World/Gray-Area-Multimedia |archive-date=2022-05-28 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Sceen It |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Ken |date=2020-07-25 |title=San Diego's Spielberg? Q&A With Director Brian Butler Near Sci-Fi Film Premiere |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2020/07/24/san-diegos-spielberg-qa-with-director-brian-butler-near-sci-fi-film-premiere/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Times of San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref> formerly known as Rosewood Five Studios at 1150 Seventh Ave.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Eadie |first=Bill |date=2017-06-27 |title=Handicapping the Fringe – San Diego Story |url=https://sandiegostory.com/handicapping-the-fringe/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Story}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Accomando |first=Beth |author-link=Beth Accomando |date=2016-06-23 |title=Survival Guide To San Diego International Fringe |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/arts-culture/2016/06/23/san-diego-international-fringe-survival-guide |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jeff |date=2016-06-30 |title=SD Fringe: Recommendations for final days |url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/jun/30/theater-sd-fringe-recommendations-final-days/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Reader |language=en}}</ref>
== Criminal incidents == In April 1916, after kicking several trash cans, Los Angeles resident William Haupt was arrested outside the building by Officer Tim Holcomb.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1916-04-10 |title=Maybe They Don't Have Garbage Cans in L.A. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-maybe-they-dont-have/156750729/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later that year, a man was arrested for attempting to steal a tire from the building clerk's automobile.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1916-07-07 |title=Here, There and Everywhere |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-here-there-and-everyw/156691233/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1916-07-07 |title=Six Months |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-six-months/156691251/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1918, fifteen year old William Dowlar, who was a bellboy at the hotel, was arrested for stealing a $150 diamond, a kodak, and a fountain pen from a hotel guest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1918-10-15 |title=15 October 1918 — |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19181015.2.90&srpos=3&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22polhemus+hotel%22------- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=San Diego Union and Daily Bee |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}</ref>
In 1921, Franklin McGuire was arrested for shortly after stealing over $100 worth of clothes from a room in the building.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1921-03-29 |title=Wore the Clothes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-wore-the-clothes/156691287/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1922, two armed men were arrested in downtown San Diego after briefly being pursued by police.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |date=1922-10-07 |title=Armed Men Admit Polhemus Holdup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-armed-men-admit-polhem/156733277/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=25 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They were wanted for holding up the building's hotel clerk R. W. Smith. During the attempted robbery, there was a scuffle and a gun was discharged but no one was injured. The thieves had previously made off with a suitcase with $150 in clothes from the nearby Panama Hotel,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-10-07 |title=Armed Pair Admit Hotel Holdup Job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-armed-pair-admit-hotel/156733114/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and were already wanted by police in Long Beach, California<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-10-17 |title=Men Arrested In South Identified As Wanted Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-long-beach-telegram-and-the-long-bea/156733382/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The Long Beach Telegram and The Long Beach Daily News |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> after robbing an apartment clerk of $45,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-10-17 |title=Pair Identified as Bandits by Beach Resident |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-pair-identified-as/156749810/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=38 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and stealing a car in Sacramento.<ref name=":22" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=1922-10-08 |title=Robbers caught on city street confess charge |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19221008.2.392&srpos=9&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22polhemus+hotel%22------- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=San Diego Union and Daily Bee |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}</ref> They were set for a bail of $1,000 each<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-10-10 |title=Hold Alleged Bandits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-hold-alleged-bandits/156734029/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and were suspected in other recent thefts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-10-06 |title=5 Robberies in 48 Hours; Thieves Flee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-5-robberies-in-48-hour/156691309/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In November 1924, four inmates awaiting trial for robbery charges in Oklahoma, were staying in the building. Detectives were alerted and questioned them in their room, but the men were able to mislead law enforcement that they were ranch owners traveling the country. On January 16, 1925, they robbed over $3,000 from the nearby San Diego Pantages Theatre.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1925-12-03 |title=Convict Admits Robbing Local Pantages Theatre |work=San Diego Union}}</ref>
In 1931, night clerk P. W. Price was robbed at gunpoint on the second floor of the building.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1931-01-05 |title=Thug Takes $31 in Hotel Theft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-thug-takes-31-in-hote/156370034/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1932, night clerks of the building and nearby Churchill Hotel were robbed within an hour of each other.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=1932-04-02 |title=Hotels Lose $60 To Bandit: Robber Carefully Wipes Away Fingerprints |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-hotels-lose-60-to-ban/156345673/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1958, clerk Charles Sutter was robbed of $150 by the "Elevator Bandit" who forced him into the building's elevator and escaped while the elevator ascended.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-01-21 |title=Elevator Bandit Suspect Held in Long Beach |work=San Diego Union Tribune}}</ref>
In September 1978, the building was one of ten hotels in the downtown area raided by the San Diego Police Department. Policewomen went undercover as prostitutes, rented rooms, and made 15 arrests.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garlington |first=Phil |date=1978-09-15 |title=Police Raid 10 Downtown Hotels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-police-raid-10-dow/156345838/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garlington |first=Phil |date=1978-09-15 |title=Downtown Hotel Raid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-downtown-hotel-rai/156345854/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> That same month, Moses Franklin was arrested for assault in a room he shared with a teenage runaway from Tucson, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1978-09-28 |title=Man Accused |work=San Diego Union Tribune}}</ref>
In 1992, William Dean Short, a prison escapee from Muskogee, Oklahoma, was caught and arrested in the building.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1992-05-13 |title=Escaped Convict Arrested at Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-escaped-convict-ar/156345524/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=189 |via=Newspapers.com |id={{ProQuest|281562790}}}}</ref> In 1999, Lt. Ray Sigwalt said San Diego police homicide was called after a 66 year old man died from a sixth floor fall into the building's air shaft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Joe |date=1999-08-13 |title=Man, 66, found dead on hotel landing |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/271663672 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Union Tribune |language=en |id={{ProQuest|271663672}}}}</ref>
In 2022, the city alleges that excessive criminal activity was reported in the building. Police responded 190 times over a three year period since May 2019, spending 465 hours to address burglaries, public intoxication, and other nuisances.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Owner of 'Squalid' 109-Year-Old Hotel in Downtown San Diego Ordered to Help Relocate 72 Occupants: City |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/owner-of-squalid-century-old-hotel-in-downtown-san-diego-ordered-to-help-relocate-72-occupants-city/3006990/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=KNSD |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Berjan |first=Sarah |date=2022-07-25 |title=109-year-old hotel in Downtown San Diego to be vacated due to 'deplorable' conditions |url=https://www.chulavistatoday.com/community/109-year-old-hotel-in-downtown-san-diego-to-be-vacated-due-to-deplorable-conditions-5622563 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726010007/https://www.chulavistatoday.com/community/109-year-old-hotel-in-downtown-san-diego-to-be-vacated-due-to-deplorable-conditions-5622563 |archive-date=2022-07-26 |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=ChulaVistaToday.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Mara W. |author-link=Mara Elliott |date=2022-07-25 |title=Downtown Residential Hotel Ordered to Vacate |url=https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/nr220725a.pdf |website=City of San Diego}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}{{Core, San Diego|state=expand}}
Category:Hotels in San Diego Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1912 Category:Buildings and structures in San Diego Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1912 Category:Affordable housing in the United States Category:Core, San Diego Category:Hotels established in the 1990s Category:Crime in California Category:Fires in California Category:Unused buildings in California Category:Apartment buildings in California