A Touch of Paris in San Diego - The Minear Building/Paris Hotel

Sandee Wilhoit
Jan 11
3 min read

by Sandee Wilhoit • Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Dec. 27, 2025

The Minear Building/Paris Hotel

(1910)

759 Fourth Avenue

SE Corner of Fourth Ave. & F St.

Architect & Builder: Edward L. Rambo

Architectural Style: 20th Century Commercial

Throughout the years, what started out as a reasonably plain, but serviceable, building has blossomed into quite a variety of businesses. Although William L. Minear purchased his lots (both A & B of Block 69) from Alonzo Horton in 1869, he did not start construction on his particular building until 1910. This is not to say that his property remained idle. Mr. Minear, a local real estate agent and a native San Diegan, and his partner, Mr. J.H. Pittman, traded around portions of the two lots until 1873, when it was announced that they had a blacksmith and wagon shop on the premises, as well as several other tenants and several small structures. One of their tenants included a veterinary surgeon.

Between 1889 and 1890, several more structures appeared on the site. These appeared to house a series of small businesses, including a carriage depository, a boot and shoemaker, a tailor shop, a real estate office, and a sportsman’s supply company. Additionally, the “Peerless Saloon” occupied the corner of 4th and F Street, and a lodging house, “The Albany,” was also listed on the property. The Albany subsequently changed its name to the Capital Hotel, and then to The Washington Hotel. The Muehleisen Tent and Awning Company was also present.

All of Lot B had been leased the previous year to W.H. Holabird and Company. This part of the property contained a two-story, iron-clad structure, which can be assumed to have been built by Mr. Minear, since he still owned the property. William H. Holabird was a general agent for the Coronado Beach Company, along with E.W. Babcock, who later built the Hotel Del Coronado. Mr. Holabird did not keep his lease for very long; he sublet his interest and went on to be largely responsible for establishing the cities of Coronado Beach, Cleremont, and San Juan by the Sea. She was also later appointed Land Commissioner for the California and Nevada Railroad.

The gentleman whom Holabird sublet to was a Mr. C.C. Seaman, a local real estate broker and racehorse breeder. He is most known for selling a Kentucky-bred colt, “Blue Boy,” for $30,000 for stud purposes - an incredible sum in those days.

By 1910, Mr. Minear finally decided to do some serious construction on his property. On May 10, he hired Edward L. Rambo, a local, well-known contractor, to design and construct a two-story brick building, 100’ x 100’; it would take the place of the smaller series of structures already there. The approximate cost for the edifice was $22,000.

The two-story building was brick with a flat roof and a decorative cornice and dentil molding. The ground floor, designed for retail purposes, featured large plate glass windows and recessed entrances. The facade was symmetrical with evenly spaced windows and door openings on both floors. The windows on the second floor were multi-paned, double-sash style and flanked a non-opening central window.

Upon completion of the new building, the Muehleisen Tent and Awning Company and the Hotel Washington relocated to the new structure. A grocery store, a jeweler, and the Western Leather Supply Company additionally became tenants.

In more modern times, late 20th-century tenants included Roses Liquor Store and the Club Tokyo Tavern. The Washington Hotel eventually became the Paris Hotel. The hotel recently received a makeover and upgrade, and now boasts en-suite bathrooms and new furnishings. It also sports a new awning over the entrance.

Mr. Minear passed away on April 9, 1918, but his structure and the businesses it supported serve as an enduring example of the real estate wheeling and dealing, entrepreneurship, and energy prevalent in San Diego during its several periods of growth.