Balboa Bay Resort Completes Guestroom and Lobby Overhaul

Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach has finished a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes updates to all guest accommodations and main public areas. The project touched 159 guestrooms and 10 suites. The work also covered the lobby and the bar located within the building.

The property was founded in 1948 as a private meeting space for boaters and local socialites. It opened to the general public in 2004. Cindy Racco, the managing director of the resort and club, described the renovation as a milestone that redefines the arrival and stay experience for visitors.

DesignAgency led the project under three guiding principles: modern glamor, laid back charm, and an evolved haven. New furnishings, improved lighting, and integrated technology now feature in every room. The resort installed Frette bed linens in all guest spaces.

Suites include Nespresso coffee makers, L’Occitane bath products, and Dyson hairdryers. The bar was renamed Bar nineteen48 to reflect the club’s founding year. The design draws from mid-century Southern California amber tones. Executive Chef Diego Bernal created a menu of classic cocktails and light bites for the venue.

In a separate development, the CREDA SoCal Real Estate Challenge will conclude on Nov. 19. Graduate students from UCLA and USC are competing to redesign the 30-acre Civic Center site in Torrance. The complex currently houses City Hall, a municipal pool, a cultural arts center, a library, and the police department. The two teams are currently tied with 14 wins each. They will present their proposals at an event on the UCLA campus.

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is running its 16th annual Movember campaign under the theme Game Time 2026. The company aims to raise funds for men’s health issues. Ed Hanley, president of Hanley Investment Group, started the effort in memory of his father, who died of prostate cancer in 2009. The group has raised more than $429,000 for the cause since 2011. Participants begin clean-shaven on Nov. 1 and grow mustaches throughout the month.

Movember has raised more than $1.5 billion globally since 2003. The nonprofit funds research and community programs for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. More than 1,320 projects across 20 countries have received funding. The annual industry roundup was compiled by Business Editor Samantha Gowen.