The Andaz Hotel Downtown Makes Local Art Front And Center

You may have heard of the Andaz Hotel in downtown San Diego. You may have even frequented it when it was the Ivy Hotel.

But the goal of the Andaz is different from the party atmosphere of the Ivy: the Andaz aims to bring local artists front and center.

And, last week, the hotel had an event to do just that.

The kickoff party entitled “Urban Exposition” featured artists from San Diego – including Tyson King, a front office manager of the Andaz, who was busy at work painting a large-scale model giraffe.

The salon area, where the giraffe was situated, will be rented out by the Andaz to businesses and organizations. Groups will be able to host unique events here – among the work of local artists.

Downstairs from the salon, Alejandro Rojas Salazar, curator of the Andaz and a local artist himself, gave a presentation that described the transformation the club underwent to be the stunning show space for artwork that it is today.

“It’s our house—it’s our home,” Shane Nicolopoulos, the Andaz General Manager explained. “We welcome you all to it.”

In addition to the event spaces below the salon, luxury suites decorated with the work of local artists take up the floors far overhead.

Accessible by elevators, these suites enjoy beautiful views of the city and its skyline.

“When you leave this building you’re going to feel energized—you’re going to be excited,” Nicolopoulos predicted. “And—hopefully—you’ll be back to enjoy more.”

Even the bathrooms of the Andaz exhibit gorgeous works of art. You can’t get much better than that!