A detail of the planned Manchester Pacific Gateway on the downtown bayfront.

San Diego, CA — Perry Dealy, President and CEO of Dealy Development and project executive for Manchester Pacific Gateway, announced that Manchester Financial Group has finalized a settlement agreement with the California Coastal Commission that further advances the development of the Manchester Pacific Gateway project located on the San Diego Waterfront at Broadway and Harbor Drive.

Eight years in negotiations, this collaborative settlement agreement between Manchester Financial Group and the California Coastal Commission opens the door for development of the world-class, 8-city block Manchester Pacific Gateway, which will include: a new NAVFAC Government Administration Class A office building for the U.S. Navy, a 1.9 acre waterfront park, art and cultural museum, restaurants, entertainment, retail, public parking, and new waterfront access embracing downtown San Diego’s North Embarcadero Visionary Plan on the San Diego Bay.

Papa Doug Manchester, Chairman of Manchester Financial Group, stated “It’s truly a dream for me to have approval to move forward with this stunning and engaging gateway to the city I love and call home. And to do so with the best architectural and development team in the world to ensure that every detail speaks to precision, elegance and style that will last for generations to come. I view this as an opportunity to recruit the best retail and hospitality businesses to San Diego to positively impact our economic growth and create jobs. Manchester Pacific Gateway is a project for everyone, for our local communities and for visitors from all over the world to see.”

Deal unites current building owner Sandor Shapery with Papa Doug Manchester

Deal unites current building owner Sandor Shapery with Papa Doug Manchester

San Diego, CA — Manchester Financial Group, headed by Papa Doug Manchester, has acquired a 49 percent interest in the 19-story 350,331 square foot former Sempra/SDGE building for a cost of $20 million from a former partner in the property. The transaction unites Sandor Shapery, who has owned the property since 1993, with Papa Doug Manchester. Although knowing each other socially for over 40 years, neither had worked together on a business transaction.

The building, designed by Richard W. Wheeler, opened in 1969 when San Diego Gas & Electric, then an independent utility, moved from the Timken Building at Sixth Avenue and E Street, which it had occupied since 1920. SDG&E sold the building to New England Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1975; New England then sold to Shapery in 1993 for $22 million. The building, which benefits from $40 million in recent upgrades by Sempra and includes most of the furniture and fixtures, will be renamed Manchester Financial Group. The asset will undergo a top-to-bottom reevaluation with the possibility of turning it into a Class A hotel, residential building, retaining its office use, or a combination thereof into what may be San Diego’s first “Lifestyle” live-work-play concept.

“I am excited to work with Papa Doug to transform this building into one of the most esteemed and relevant properties in downtown San Diego,” said Shapery. “Until now I have never worked with Papa Doug and find that he is a great partner and has wonderful ideas. This should prove to be a benefit to both of us.”

“I’m very pleased to partner with Sandy Shapery in the acquisition of this great San Diego building, and I’m pleased to note that Sandy will continue as the Managing General Partner as he has been since he acquired the asset in 1993,” said Manchester. “We look forward to making any and all improvements necessary to attract the very finest in major Class A tenants.”

Shapery noted that potential tenants include the City of San Diego, although the building is not yet being marketed for lease. “The San Diego Union-Tribune has toured the building, and we are waiting for Civic San Diego to revise its residential overlay zone that allows the building to include residential use. As of now, we’re exploring all of our options which may include a repositioning design competition by architectural students,” said Shapery.

Purchase agreement signed today by U-T San Diego and Tribune Publishing combines the U-T with the Los Angeles Times with both papers to remain separate brands

San Diego, Calif. — Papa Doug Manchester, owner and publisher of U-T San Diego, has agreed to sell the multimedia enterprise to Tribune Publishing, owner of the Los Angeles Times, combining two of Southern California’s oldest and most recognizable media companies, executives announced Thursday.
“It has been my great privilege to own the San Diego Union-Tribune, the oldest business in San Diego and a very special part of our community,” said Papa Doug Manchester. “Like every business I have undertaken, I have enjoyed providing opportunities for others, creating positive experiences, and being a cheerleader for the good of our community. It has been important for me to speak out positively on a local, national and international level, particularly in denouncing Christian genocide and other oppression throughout the world.”

Manchester added, “As publisher, my motive always was to do what was right for our city and our country. I’m proud to have been associated with the U-T, and I’m proud to leave it in the hands of Tribune Publishing, which brings a tradition of journalistic excellence along with the resources that will ensure a successful future.”

San Diego, Calif. — Tom Voss has been named as president of Manchester Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of Manchester Financial Group, reporting to MFG president and CEO, Richard Gibbons and “Papa” Doug Manchester, chairman of MFG, the parent company. Voss will work closely with the Manchester Financial Group’s executive team to identify investment opportunities and coordinate significant real estate projects including the development of Fairmont Austin in Austin, Texas, and Manchester Pacific Gateway, a $1.3 billion multiuse redevelopment project of the Navy Broadway Complex at the downtown San Diego waterfront.  This project includes hotels, offices and retail space, plus a navy office building.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Voss previously served as president of Manchester Grand Resorts where he spearheaded operations and development at The Grand Del Mar. Prior to that, he was executive assistant manager and director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency San Diego (now Manchester Grand Hyatt) from its opening in 1992 until 1998, when he was promoted to general manager of Grand Hyatt Atlanta and Hyatt Regency Greenville. In 2004, he returned to San Diego as general manager of Manchester Grand Hyatt. Prior to his Hyatt experience, Voss was with Starwood Hotels and ITT Sheraton, working at upscale properties in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

“I am very pleased and honored that Tom, whom I’ve worked with since 1990, will be continuing with the Manchester Financial Group and executive team representing Manchester Hospitality Group as president,” said Manchester. “I applaud Tom for his incredible work in consistently positioning The Grand Del Mar property as a triple Forbes Five-Star resort year after year. Tom will continue to represent our ownership interest in the Grand Del Mar and will also work with the Austin Fairmont mega 1066-room hotel in its final planning.”

Voss, born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, grew up working in his family’s oceanfront golf resort and has since had an industry career that encompasses hotel marketing, operations, staff development and guest services. Fluent in English, German and French, Voss earned a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration from the University of Kiel Germany and completed graduate studies in hotel administration at Cornell University.

Papa Doug Manchester to retain a minority stake

SAN DIEGO, CA – March 30, 2015 – Manchester Financial Group, headed by ‘Papa Doug’ Manchester, has announced a joint venture with luxury hotel operator Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to have Fairmont take over management of the Grand Del Mar. The deal will see Blum capital taking majority ownership of the world-class resort with Fairmont overseeing day-to-day operations of the award-winning property under a long-term management agreement. Fairmont’s parent company FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) and developer Manchester Financial Group will both hold a minority interest in the AAA Five-Diamond hotel.
“We’re truly fortunate to have one of our cherished assets joining the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts under the leadership of Richard Blum,” said Papa Doug Manchester. “Manchester Financial Group, and I personally, have enjoyed the emergence of the Grand Del Mar as one of the world’s most beautiful and recognized resort and spa destinations. This new relationship assures that the property will continue on the world stage in perpetuity.”
Upon completion of the venture, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will rebrand the property as the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The highly regarded resort, which was named TripAdvisor’s #1 Luxury Hotel in California in 2014 and a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel for the fourth consecutive year, will soon join a distinctive hotel collection that includes the iconic Fairmont San Francisco, world-famous The Plaza in New York, and landmark The Savoy in London.
“With the beauty and climate of San Diego attracting travelers from all over the world, we’re extremely pleased to be adding an asset of this caliber to our hotel collection,” said William Fatt, chairman and chief executive officer, FRHI. “We’ve aligned with some great partners and are very happy to be working with Blum Capital and Richard Blum on this very exciting deal, which will further expand our already strong presence in the California market.”
“The acquisition of the Grand Del Mar, one of the most revered luxury hotels in the United States, aligns with our investment strategy and perfectly complements Fairmont’s unrivaled portfolio of hotels in the California market and abroad,” said Richard C. Blum, chairman and president, Blum Capital. “We look forward to showcasing this remarkable asset to an even greater audience and working with a celebrated brand like Fairmont to further enhance the property’s award-winning reputation.”
Featuring Spanish and French influences, and a design reflecting the Mediterranean style of famed American resort architect Addison Mizner, the property is well suited to San Diego’s warm climate and outdoor lifestyle. Set amidst the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in Southern California, the resort features 249 guestrooms, counting a high mix of luxurious suites, plus 8 two-story 4,500 square foot villas.
Key features of the luxury resort include a 21,000 square foot spa, which received a Five Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide in 2015; 18-hole Tom-Fazio designed golf course and clubhouse; six food and beverage venues including Addison, the resort’s AAA Five Diamond rated signature restaurant; and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The resort also houses boutique shopping outlets and 27,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000 square foot ballroom, perfect for both large and small scale events.
“The Manchester team, led by ‘Papa Doug’ Manchester, have built an incredible hotel product and coupled it with an expertly trained and highly engaged group of hotel colleagues. This formula has established the Grand Del Mar as one of the country’s truly outstanding hotels,” added FRHI’s Fatt. “We are excited to become stewards of this wonderful hotel and to continue this amazing performance, while also working with our partners – majority owner Blum Capital and minority partner Manchester Financial Group – to further strengthen and grow the resort’s luxury positioning.”

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About Manchester Financial Group
Founded in 1970 by Papa Doug Manchester, commonly referred to as “the father of the San Diego Convention Center,” Manchester Financial Group, headquartered in San Diego, California, specializes in and focuses on hotel and commercial property development. Manchester Financial Group and its subsidiaries have been instrumental in developing downtown San Diego’s waterfront, paving the way for the city of San Diego’s burgeoning convention industry, while also founding two banks and establishing an extensive and diverse investment portfolio. The company invests and takes active leadership roles in industries including tourism, hospitality and convention services, technology, telecommunications, banking, broadcasting, medical device instrumentation, education, and other important areas of health and human services. Over the past few decades, Manchester Financial Group has developed more than $3 billion in assets in 11 states and continues to be one of San Diego’s largest and most profitable private companies, employing approximately 3,000 people nationally. For additional information on Manchester Financial Group, please visit manchesterfinancialgroup.com

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations, providing travelers with memorable travel experiences, thoughtful and attentive service and luxury hotels that are truly unforgettable. Each Fairmont property reflects the locale’s energy, culture and history through locally-inspired cuisine, spirited bars and lounges and distinctive design and décor. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, the Fairmont collection boasts some of the most iconic hotels in the world including The Plaza in New York, London’s The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company which operates more than 125 hotels and branded residential properties under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com.

About Blum Capital
Investment firm Blum Capital Partners targets small and middle-market US firms, providing capital for transactions such as share repurchases, acquisitions and divestitures, and privatizations. The partnership invests in a relatively small number of public or private companies (usually around five per year), but typically takes a substantial position either by acquiring a strategic block of the company’s shares, or through a negotiated transaction. Blum Capital often takes an active role in management. It oversees investments for wealthy families, corporations, and university and philanthropic endowment funds, as well as its own account. Chairman Richard Blum founded the company in 1975. blumcapital.com