Photo: Allan Smith/Burke & Associates

The challenging scope included completely demolishing the interior of the 1977-vintage, 95-room, five-story CMU block Ogden House Hotel and transforming it into the stylish, EIFS-clad, 64-room El Cortez Cabana Suites all-suite hotel with high-end finishes.The interior features imported marble tile, designer light fixtures, white crocodile wall covering and crown moldings. The judges felt the high octane blue and white exterior and the lobby’s black and white checkerboard marble tile floor were very bold choices with high quality finish work.