Ojai Valley Inn Renovation

R.D. Olson Construction, a California builder of resorts, hotels and country clubs, has begun the second phase of renovation and expansion of the world-famous Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort.

Phase II is part of an 18-month project, managed by Irvine-based R. D. Olson Construction. It entails

a massive overhaul of each area of the 80-year-old resort totaling 165,750 square feet of new construction and renovation at a cost of $46 million. Construction has been divided into two phases, the first of which included the building of 62 new guestrooms.

Phase II is dedicated to revamping the upper campus, which includes constructing seven buildings housing 63 hillside suites overlooking the resort's legendary championship golf course. Plans also call for constructing two new restaurants: the Oak Café and Demerat's Pub. The resort's primary dining facility, the Hacienda Restaurant, will undergo extensive renovation of its kitchen and an addition of a new exclusive dining room. R. D. Olson will add on to Topa Court, the resort's main lobby and expand the Topa Convention Center, tripling the space for business and social functions with the addition of a new ballroom and meeting room accommodations.

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort is owned by the Crown family and is one of California's most cherished historic retreats. Originally built in 1923, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort has long been a haven for people from around the world.

The Phase II design team is comprised of three architecture firms. William Mahan, AIA, who is based in Santa Barbara and known for his work on many West Coast resorts, is in charge of the project's overall design concept. Three Architecture, a Dallas, Texas-based firm, designed the resort's hillside villas and common area buildings including the pro-shop, convention center and restaurants. Cheryl Rowley Interior Designs of Beverly Hills is responsible for all internal design elements.

Overall completion of Phases I and II is set for late 2004.