Location: 525 B Street, San Diego, CA
Building: 22-Story High-Rise
Scope: MEP Investigation & Existing Conditions Assessment
InnoDez Engineering was engaged to perform a comprehensive Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical (MEP) site assessment for a 22-story high-rise building at 525 B Street in downtown San Diego, as part of a proposed office-to-hotel conversion.
The proposed program for the conversion includes:
- Basement Floor (BF): Amenity level with existing gym and a new pool
- First Floor (1F): Hotel lobby (currently office lobby)
- Levels 3 through 22: Typical hotel guestroom floors
Our engineering team conducted an on-site investigation to assess the feasibility of adapting the existing MEP infrastructure to support hotel operations. The site visit included review of available documentation and direct observation of existing systems to understand current conditions, constraints, and opportunities.
The assessment covered major mechanical systems serving typical floors and central plant equipment, including HVAC units, air distribution risers, exhaust systems, mechanical rooms, rooftop equipment (where accessible), and ventilation strategies. Particular attention was given to shaft availability and feasibility for guestroom supply, return, outside air, toilet exhaust, and corridor make-up air systems.
Our plumbing investigation included review of domestic water service, backflow prevention, hot water systems, sanitary and storm drainage risers, and gas service and distribution. Vertical stack routing and observable sizing were evaluated to determine feasibility for hotel fixture loads.
A high-level electrical assessment was also performed, documenting the existing electrical service, switchgear type, typical floor panel configurations, available breaker capacity, emergency or standby systems (if present), and vertical electrical and telecom risers.
Following the site visit, InnoDez prepared a Preliminary MEP Assessment Narrative summarizing existing system conditions, anticipated modifications required for hotel use, key constraints, and areas requiring further investigation. The assessment provides high-level guidance to support early planning, budgeting, and next-phase design coordination for the proposed hotel conversion.
