Gaylord Pacific Hotel and Convention Center is Rising in Chula Vista

McCarthy, in a joint venture with Mortenson, is working to bring this impressive project to fruition. 

“The team truly makes the job,” said Project Director Maryann Skraba. “Everybody is truly all-in and it’s exciting it is to be such a huge part of the change for this community.” 

By the numbers: 

• 22-story hotel with 1,600 rooms 
• 2.4 million gross square feet including the garage, with nearly 2 million square feet of enclosed space 
• 400,000 square feet of meeting space and support areas 
• 110,500 cubic yards of concrete put in place by McCarthy crews 
• 28,500-square-foot signature atrium with a translucent ETFE (fluorine-based plastic) roof similar to Allegiant Stadium and SOFI Stadium 
• 2.5 miles of glass rail 
• 1,600-stall parking garage 
• 1,744 auger cast piles 

Some interesting challenges — and solutions 

Safety is the number one priority for this complex project. The team is implementing a variety of safety initiatives including “First 30 In the Field.” All team members spend the first 30 minutes of their day in the field doing a Task Hazard Analysis and creating a better connection with the craft workforce.

Among several unique project angles, the team worked together early to adapt a collaborative scheduling approach. That involved bringing all trade partners together more than six months before work began, identifying time schedules for each of the tasks and coordinating them for different project sections. 

It's a bit different than pull planning and proving to be a success here. 

“It was not just getting everyone on the same page, but talking with superintendents and foremen and getting feedback on what it would take to complete various tasks,” said Vice President Operations Erik Hoffman. “It truly has created such a positive relationship with the trade partners and all the craft.” 

In addition to building on reclaimed bayfront property, material procurement and logistics for this huge billion-dollar project also created additional challenges. 

“We’ve sent people all over the world to verify materials were being manufactured on time and were going to be delivered,” Hoffman continued. 

A winning culture and source of community pride 

On a project of this size and complexity, establishing a strong team culture goes a long way toward the success of the job. 

“We have a group out here that is extremely passionate and dedicated to what we’re doing,” explained Skraba. “Everyone truly wants to build and improve this community and that’s the focus. Many of our craft workers live in Chula Vista or nearby. There’s so much excitement from the local community about this project, so it’s super-special.” 

The project is currently on schedule to be completed in 2025.