SEASIDE >> One of the most significant developments in the city of Seaside is moving toward vertical construction with aspects of infrastructure for the project nearly completed, including improvements to McClure Way, the roadway accessing Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course property where a new luxury hotel will be built.

Groundbreaking for the Grand Hyatt Resort Hotel in Seaside took place Sept. 16, ushering in the building of an eight-level, 307,200-square-foot single building that would include 330 guest rooms, a conference center with meeting rooms totaling about 35,000 square feet of space, restaurants, lobby bar, service kitchen, administrative offices, food and beverage, spa and fitness and service/circulation areas. An outdoor swimming pool is proposed adjacent to the south elevation of the hotel building.

“Construction of the utility infrastructure is nearly complete. Electricity and water have been brought in from General Jim Moore Boulevard, down McClure Way to the hotel site,” said KDG Capital Chief Operating Officer Sheetal Patel in an email. “Construction continues across Bayonet to complete the water service loop to the lower portion of the Enclave and final sewer connections are underway.”

KDG Capital, a Florida-based, real estate private-equity firm, is the developer of the Grand Hyatt Resort Hotel, which is being designed by the DLR Group headquartered in Omaha.

Part of the Seaside Resort Development are 175 timeshare units and 125 custom residential lots at “The Enclave at Cypress Grove,” which front the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses. The enclave is developed by Shea Homes.

McClure Way is the two-way road leading to the golf courses from General Jim Moore Boulevard that has been improved and will provide access to the surface parking lot and valet parking on the west side of the hotel and the overflow parking on Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard. Other associated improvements include water, sewer and storm drain lines, and storm water treatment devices.

Installation of water and sewer utilities, to be owned and maintained by Marina Coast Water District, in McClure Way are also nearly finished.

“Construction for the hotel is underway with the site improvements for the utilities and road work,” said Patel. “A new PG&E transformer has been installed on the hotel site to provide power for the necessary construction equipment.”

But there are actions yet to be taken before the Grand Hyatt Resort Hotel can begin to rise from its perch overlooking the golf courses and the Monterey Bay beyond.

“The site will be graded and foundations will be installed first, then vertical construction can commence,” said Patel. “Excavation and shoring work for the site is very complex and will require several months of work prior to seeing any vertical construction.”

Patel said the first thing people will see once work shifts to hotel construction is the lower-level parking structure. Then it will methodically shift up the hillside and around the building.

But as work continues to finalize the infrastructure and temporary construction requirements, KDG Capital says it anticipates a late spring or early summer 2025 mobilization of earthwork equipment.

Once the Grand Hyatt Resort Hotel in Seaside is constructed, it will be one of five Grand Hyatts in California. The others are in San Francisco (two), San Diego and Indian Wells. These hotels are among the 17 Grand Hyatt locations in the United States.

The approach to the design of the hotel planned for Seaside uses an extension of local and natural materials to preserve the surrounding, while keeping the location at the fore front of the guest experience, according to the DLR Group.

The hotel’s elevated position at the site will capitalize on architecturally framing views in both interior and exterior settings, creating perspectives that guide the eye to the surrounding landscape.

The design will offer guests an upscale comfort with details that are purposeful and non-intrusive to the views.

The Seaside Resort Project was approved by the Seaside City Council and Redevelopment Agency in July 2005.

Approvals included a vesting tentative map, design review of the entire project, site plan review for the hotel, a use permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages, a use permit for timeshares, a use permit for residential uses and a conveyance agreement and disposition and development agreement between the city and the developer.

An environmental impact report was certified for the proposed development.

The Seaside Planning Commission approved a revised architectural design for the hotel in October 2022.

This will consist of a hotel complex, 170 timeshare units and 125 single-family residential lots on a total of 84 acres, excluding the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf courses.