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UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
A Reimagined Retreat
The Inn at Laguna Beach , an oceanfront property on North Coast Highway near Broadway Street , has been reintroduced as Casa Loma Beach Hotel . The 70-room luxury boutique hotel , which sits on the cliffs above Main Beach , will remain open during a renovation planned along with the rebranding ; the project is expected to be completed in late spring 2024 . Owner Marc & Rose Hospitality group , formerly Classic Hotels & Resorts , has enlisted Electric Bowery , an architecture and interior design firm based in Venice , California , as well as iconic branding and graphic design firm Land of Austin , Texas , to transform the property . Combining California ’ s coastal energy with the relaxed feel of Mallorca , the hotel will also pay tribute to the area , which serves as a haven for artists , surfers and bohemians . A soothing , ocean-inspired palette will be incorporated throughout with natural textures and organic shapes that take cues from the sea ’ s gentle movements . Guest rooms will feature original art by Land while surf culture will influence the overall design . Marc & Rose Hospitality has 14 hotels and restaurants in its portfolio , including Laguna Beach House , also in town . Founded by adventuring couple Peggy Rosalie Jacobson and Samuel Marcus Grossman , and now led by their son , John Grossman , the firm seeks to create memorable experiences for travelers at properties that embrace the beauty of the American West . ( 949-497-9722 ; casalomalagunabeach . com ) — Sharon Stello
An updated room and balcony at the newly rebranded Casa Loma Beach Hotel
ENCOURAGING INNOVATION
The next generation has even more tools at its disposal thanks to a $ 20,000 grant awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach by Cox Communications . The funds , unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the Innovation Lab ’ s reopening at the club ’ s Laguna Canyon branch in October , helped renovate the space while also incorporating new technology . With laptop computers and Chromebooks , microscopes , drone cameras , 3D printers , a video production suite and internet access ( also provided by Cox ), this cutting-edge center gives youth the freedom to innovate using creativity , critical thinking and both computer literacy and other STEM ( science , technology , engineering and math ) skills . This ensures that children have the tools they need to think outside the box and explore the world around them to learn to solve a variety of challenges that face our society . The reopening of the lab coincided with Digital Inclusion Week , an annual campaign that promotes the education of and efforts toward bridging the digital divide , and this space gives children that don ’ t have an internet connection or computer at home the chance to access the web . ( 949-494-2535 ; bgclagunabeach . org ) — Ashley Ryan
The renovated Innovation Lab at Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach , with new technology added , thanks to a Cox Communications grant
TOP SECTION : CHRIS MOTTALINI ; BOTTOM : COURTESY OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH
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