Construction has resumed for the five-story Hotel MOHI at 17470 Monterey Highway in Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County. Crews stopped work in 2020 due to the pandemic, at which point the two-story concrete structure was transformed into an outdoor restaurant, MOHI Social. The hotel is owned by Frank Leal, and Kent Construction is the general contractor.
“We are thrilled to see the hotel back under construction and to have local builder Kent Construction at the helm of this significant project,” said Mayor Mark Turner.
Hotel MOHI view from East First Street, rendering by KTGY
The 65-foot tall structure will yield around 75,660 square feet of floor area, including a 3,860 square foot market, 2,400 square feet for a restaurant, 3,610 square feet for a bar, and 8,830 square feet for a banquet hall. The plan includes 73 guest rooms. Guest amenities will include access to the outdoor patio, a courtyard, a pool deck, a spa, and a third-floor lounge. Parking will be included for 15 cars accessible from East First Street.
KTGY Architects is responsible for the design. Illustrations show the low-rise infill rising above the streets with a two-level grey brick veneer providing a strong visual foundation. Above the podium, the white stucco will be patterned with alternating masses and glass-railing balconies for each unit. The smaller fifth floor will rise over the central courtyard, obscured from a pedestrian view.
MOHI Social, image by fatimajspringer shared online by the restaurant
Hotel MOHI aerial view, rendering by KTGY
The 1.09-acre parcel is located along the busy Monterey Highway thoroughfare between East 1st and East 2nd Street. The Morgan Hill Caltrain Station is just one block away.
17470 Monterey Highway, image via Google Street View
In a press release announcing construction, Frank Leal shared that, “when the pandemic hit, my main focus was on retaining my employees. Launching MOHI Social allowed me to do just that and gave me the time I needed to adjust the hotel design and reposition the project to secure additional investment.” The project team was able to increase the capacity for the hotel in 2022, increasing from 60 to 73 guest rooms to make the project financially viable. Completion is expected by December 2025.
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I think it is great that he was able to make temporary use of the structure to maintain some employees, and now return to finishing it, bigger, better, and hopefully an better investment.
A market,a restaurant,and 73 guest rooms, but parking for only 15 cars? HUH? How do the owners think the occupants of 73 guest rooms are going to get to the hotel with their luggage? Morgan Hill is a bedroom community that is 25 minute drive from downtown San Jose. Where will the restaurant patrons and market shoppers park? Parking in the five or so blocks of beautiful downtown Morgan Hill is already a challenge. Tell me that the 15 spaces you noted is a mistake.
I have never been to Morgan Hill so I don’t know what parking is like. It does seem like a mistake to not provide enough parking.
My thoughts exactly when I saw 15 parking spaces. How is the city allowing this
I believe Frank Leal bought the property at the corner of 2nd St and Del Monte to accommodate hotel parking.