La Paz History & The Gran Baja Hotel Renovations

The Gran Baja will soon to be renovated into condominiums and begin selling by year end. La Paz is a beautiful, charming Mexican town whose history and strong values date back when it was inhabited by small ethnic groups called Guaycuras, Cochimíes and Pericues. Even though many consider Hernan Cortés the discoverer of Baja California Sur, it was Fortún Jimenez who first saw and explored what was originally thought to be an island.

Cortés, soon after conquering Tenochtitlan in mainland Mexico, decided to send 2 ships to expand the Spanish domination of the new world. Diego de Becerra, on the ship “Concepcion” went to the north and Hernando de Grijalva on the “San Lazaro” went to the South. The Concepcion suffered a riot at sea started by Fortun Jimenez, who killed Captain Becerra while he was sleeping, forced the crew to join them and left the Franciscan priests in Manzanillo, Colima, in the middle of the expedition.

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In 2003, the city of La Paz was chosen by CNN and Money Magazine as one of the top places for retirement. This report is fueling an upswing in the real estate market, and La Paz is readying itself for the “upcoming boom” which is barely launched and promising to have a huge impact, similar to what happened in Cabo San Lucas 30 years ago.

Millions of national and international travelers are just a few hours away from La Paz by 3 different U.S. airlines and another 2 coming from mainland Mexico. Hotels have prepared for these travelers, with every amenity imaginable. Road trippers now find the road to La Paz easier than ever before with an improved federal highway and RV Parks to enable
 

The new Capitan, decided to head northwest following the coast and soon he found a quiet, peaceful bay, later known as La Paz Bay. He never knew that what he found was not an island, but was instead later called the Peninsula of Baja California. When they disembarked, they found the natives wearing large white pearls and it awakened ambition and greed in the Spanish conquerors. They had a violent confrontation with the Indians and Fortun Jimenez died in the battles. The few remaining European survivors returned to the ship and sailed, directionless, until they arrived in Jalisco, were they met Don Nuño de Guzman, another of Cortes´s men. He confiscated the Concepcion and imprisoned its crew.

So, after 2 attempts and 2 dead captains, Cortes and what was left of the Concepcion crew set sail for the peninsula, alleging he was commanded by the king of Spain to explore and conquer the new world. He packed provisions, his horsemen and horses and he arrived on May 3rd, 1535. He claimed the land under the name of Bahia de La Santa Cruz and founded a new colony on it. The difficult weather had a huge influence on the colony´s new life. They found themselves without food or the ability to cultivate crops because of the harshness of the land, so they requested food supplies from “The Virrey”. Eventually, Cortes and the colonists were ordered to abandon the town.

After that, an anonymous writer who was an enemy of Cortes named California, “the forgotten land”, to remind Cortes of his failure. Some other stories said that Cortes himself decided to call it California by combining the Latin words Calida (hot) Fornax (oven).

In 1697, father Juan Maria de Salvatierra embarked on a project to colonize this new world, funded by private donations of Compañía de Jesús and advice from Father E. Francisco Kino. The first mission in California was created, Our Lady of Loreto, a Jesuit mission in Loreto, to bring the Catholic faith to the natives. This town was also designated as the Capital of the state. Unfortunately, they did not receive the warmest welcome and were repelled by groups of natives and soon after that the Franciscans renewed their efforts and founded new missions which we can still visit on the famous “Ruta de Las Misiones”. In 1830, inclement weather struck Loreto and the capital was moved to the city of La Paz, and, as a result, the city gradually began to grow.

In La Paz, the famous and oldest department store, La Perla de La Paz, was started in 1867, located in the well known and traditional downtown close to the Malecon. This historical landmark is still standing today, as is the former city hall and the cathedral. In the same area you can see the Chinese commercial influence, both in stores and architecture, evidence of trade of goods with China. The famous Pearls of La Paz are now known all over the world as a result of this trading.
After 1999, the city began to experience enormous commercial growth, with the introduction of Soriana Group, Cinepolis Group, Office Depot and others. Still, the city proudly retains its traditions and customs and zealously guards its Mexican environment.

drivers to sightsee and enjoy the local scenery along the way.

For residential buyers and investors alike, La Paz is a place where those visionaries can find whatever they are looking for. Whether you are looking for something rustic, colonial, contemporary, beachfront, beach view, downtown, or local neighborhoods, La Paz has it all.

For those interested building their own home, there are many options for them as well with services already available at the site. For the handyman, there are fixer-uppers that can be restored with that personal touch, and of course, condos can also be a great alternative to get your own space.

The Grand Baja Hotel & Beach Resort, a renovated cultural icon in La Paz, once one of the finest and most exclusive places to vacation go out for dinner or just have an enjoyable time; today it is still standing on its strong foundation, waiting to shine again with its own bright light.

The Grand Baja was built in 1972 when the area was still considered outside of town. Since then it changed activities, owners, names but the appearance has remained the same, both in shape and color. At one time it was part of the Presidente Hotel chain, and at another it was sold as timeshares. Its guests used to come and go but always return to its charm and position in the city. It finally closed its doors around 1994 and after that it sadly began to get lost in the past. The walls were painted in graffiti, the bedrooms torn down and anything of any value was removed from it.

The building whispers thousands of stories secretly kept and some others are shared by visitors. New developers have decided to renovate, reactivate and re-open its doors on the growing market of beachfront property and gated communities. We both could remember when we were kids and we stayed as guests at the hotel, splashed in the pool and had lunch with our parents, when time flew magically when we spent the evening there.

It was like finding part of our past when we walked up the 13 floors to enjoy the magnificent view while we were catching our breath. From every single point we could see the ocean and the city, refreshed by the fresh breeze. People will once again be able to get into the pool, walk by the shore, have a couple of drinks at the bar or work out in the gym, or even perhaps sail across the bay on the boat they will be able to dock in the private marina.

There is a feeling of intense anticipation. The renovation has already started and by the end of the year they will start to sell the units, which will include 1,2 and 3 bedrooms and Penthouses. The presale price range is between $160,000 for 1,100 sq. ft. of construction and $370,000 for 2,550 sq. ft. of construction, all of which will be part of the 59 units Coldwell Banker Rivera’s La Paz is proudly marketing.

Reservations are being taken at this time, and La Paz sales staff is looking forward to being part of one of La Paz’s most famous landmarks. Trust me, it will be a real pleasure for us to visit the Grand Baja again.

Additional Resources

History of La Paz
La Paz Beaches
Pearling in La Paz
Club El Moro in La Paz
La Paz Activities
Map of La Paz
La Paz Real Estate Boom
Real Estate East Cape
Baja Insider Real Estate Section