[Pictures] New Marina Tower Early 70's

[oldhotelguy]

In late 1969, the Disneyland Hotel opened it's third tower building.....yes that's right, third tower. The Sierra Tower is actually two tower buidlings attached together so the Marina Tower is the third such building. First tower opened in 1962, Tower annex in 1966 and Marina Tower in late 1969/early 1970. In many memos and notes I have on the Marina Tower project, it was conveyed that they (Wrather) wanted to really make a splash or statement on interior design with this tower as this new structure would house the Hotel's new lobby. Keep in mind, this is the late 60's/early 70's; a time of bright and vibrant colors, psychedelic design, flower-power.....well, you get it. I think based upon the pictures in this thread, you will get an idea on exactly what I mean.



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[Disneytwins]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Holy red batman!

[CupcakeTerror]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

WOW! That is one fierce color palette!

[brenden]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I love the carpet in the last two! Wild.

[Disneytwins]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Is that lady feeling the wall? lol

[IzzyInWonderland]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Whoa my eyes! Sensory overload. Thanks for the shots!

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

nice picture thanks

[calsig31]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I always look forward to these threads - Red decor and all.

Keep them coming.

[bamato]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Wow... bizarre colors... and no Disney Branding.....

[oldhotelguy]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I always look forward to these threads - Red decor and all.

Keep them coming.

Sure thing........



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Last two are from postcards......

[Mr Wiggins]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Thanks for posting these, Don! I love 'em!!!

WOW! That is one fierce color palette!

Yup. But in fairness to the lobby's designers, the travel publicity photos of those days tended to oversaturate the colors 'way beyond what they really were, to make the brochure, newspaper insert, etc., jump out and catch the eye. The Marina lobby's color scheme was bold, but not overwhelmingly so -- it was certainly nothing like in those prints.

Drop the color saturation about 25-30% on your monitor -- especially the reds -- and you'll see something closer to what the lobby's colors actually were.

[All4dISNEY]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Groovey Baby, yeah!

[Circa1966]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Sigh...good memories. Thanks for posting Don... I remember how cool it was that the pond actually was indoor/outdoor

[oldhotelguy]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I actually have color swatches too from the designer that were presented to the design team to consider for use. They are actually signed by the artist. I would scan them but they are huge. Maybe I will take a picture and post them.

[Werner]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Wow! Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing these, OldHotelGuy. I'm curious about that indoor-outdoor pool.

[waltopia]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Grooveadelic. Even a peek at the fabulous water features. Thanx.

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Wow! Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing these, OldHotelGuy. I'm curious about that indoor-outdoor pool.

It was SO cool! A tiled pond of various rectangles shapes flowed through this lobby, under the glass walls, to the outside and more fountain/pond on the marina side of the building. It all matched the shallow blue moat which once surrounded the original Sierra tower(s).
I think we even see that there was a waterfall version at the entrance (where an animated map of Disneyland is today) with those circles at differing heights, possibly dripping water.

Also just noticed that in the second photo of this post, some velvet ropes and potted plants are keeping guests away from the edge of the fountain/pond.

[jchamb268]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I do remember the hotel that way. My mom to to travel to hospital volenteer conventions and we would stay there. I love the pictures. Thank you very much

[sbk1234]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Strange. It doesn't really seem all that long ago!

[ScottG]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

Great post. I really appreciate the passion some folks have for individual facets of DL like the hotels.

[OriginalMousekteer]

Re: New Marina Tower Early 70's

I was in love with that lobby, especially the carpeting on the floors in the giant lounge area. I thought it was perfect for Disney.

The textile art on the walls was my favorite--they were impressionist depictions of various California landscapes woven with a lot of depth. I'm so thrilled to see pictures of them again--I really miss them. Any information on the artist who created the textile works?