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| WAITING IN THE ARID DESERT AREA OF BORREGO SPRINGS, CA... A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH. |
My husband and I bought our Borrego Springs home in December 2010. By that time, Borrego Ranch (formerly La Casa Del Zorro) was closed. For the last two years, we've heard over and over from Borrego residents what a huge loss the resort's closing has been. It wasn't until we took a strole through the property this week and we fully understood what has been lost.
Its closing has impacted the community and so many locals - dozens of jobs were lost that have not been replaced and tourism continues to suffer.
Excuse my language, but HOLY COW! The quality and beauty of the resort is breathtaking, even in its current state. We parked on a back road and walked past the casitas with their private swimming pools, past the huge checker board, archery range and then to the climbing rock. Heading toward the main area of the resort, our mouths dropped open.
Here's the good news...
LA CASA DEL ZORRO RETURNS!
A January 31 newspaper article states:
La Casa del Zorro, a luxury Borrego Springs resort that's been shuttered for the last three years, has sold for $2.4 million.
The new ownership, led by three San Diegans, closed escrow Thursday on the 42-acre resort and hopes to reopen it by May 1.
Casa del Zorro, which includes 44 hotel rooms and 19 stand-alone casitas, last changed hands in 2007 when then owner Greg Pearlman purchased it for $2.5 million and subsequently invested an additional $7 million in renovations. Just 14 months later, the resort, which he had renamed renamed Borrego Springs Ranch, closed.
"Anyone who’s been around San Diego for a while has been there, and this has always been a colorful and historic resort," said former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory, one of the new Casa del Zorro owners. "Borrego has gone through some very tough years but it’s coming back. They were trying to sell this during a very bad real estate market, and I think the market is coming back."
In the past, business at the resort likely suffered because of its high room rates, said McGrory, CEO of La Jolla Management LLC, a real estate and investment company. "That should change with the new owners, who plan to bring the rates down below $200 a night, he added."
Joining McGrory in the Casa del Zorro purchase are Casey Brown, a San Diego developer, and Jack Giacomino, chairman of San Diego-based Hotel Managers Group, which will operate the resort.
Giacomino's plan, McGrory said, is to partner with one of the major hotel chains to brand the property and take advantage of its central reservations system. The owners expect to spend about $1 million to fix up the property in advance of reopening it.
"We also want to redevelop the fitness club and tennis for the community as a whole," McGrory said. "When Greg (Pearlman) had it, he discouraged the community from coming to the restaurant or bar."
We heard today that locals have already been hired and have begun cleaning the resort, which was basically shuttered three years ago leaving all of the furniture and decor intact.
Can't wait to experience what all the locals have been talking about!
We survived April's low desert windstorms. My raised vegetable garden is going to seed (but not before producing some amazingly large beets... think softball size). Bright, beautiful orioles made their visit and are planning their departure now. The community is filled with excitement surrounding the June soft opening of La Casa Del Zorro. Cactus are blooming. The new Borrego Art Institute is an official success and there are other positive signs of growth within the community. 
During their morning walk on de Anza Golf Course, Mr. W quietly watched a male and female roadrunner mating. The male had a little lizard hanging out of its mouth the entire time. After they finished, the male offered the lizard to his partner as a gift and she accepted. A link to four Greater Roadrunner calls.
