Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center Project
Organization: Mortenson and McCarthy
Project Name: Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center
Location: Chula Vista, California
Expected Completion Date: April 2025
Estimated Project Cost: USD 1.3 billion
Bentley Software: SYNCHRO
Project
A joint venture between Mortenson and McCarthy delivered one of the West Coast’s largest hospitality projects: the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista, California. The USD 1.3 billion resort spans 36 acres and includes 1,600 guest rooms, a water park, and 477,000 square feet of event space. The team coordinated two distinct structures—a concrete hotel tower and a steel convention center—linked by an expansion joint. They also accelerated turnaround of the first three floors to allow hotel staff to begin operations early. Managing this scale required deep involvement from all teams and clear visibility into how each trade’s work impacted others. By implementing SYNCHRO 4D across the project, the team improved planning, safety, and collaboration. More than 3.2 million geometry pieces were linked to schedule activities, and the model was used in hundreds of meetings to support real-time decision-making. The project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule, setting a new benchmark for digital construction delivery.
Facts
- Delivered six weeks ahead of schedule, completed in 34 months instead of the planned 36.
- Largest hotel construction project ever built on the west coast, expected to generate a USD 500 million annual economic boost and create over 4,000 permanent jobs.
- Used SYNCHRO 4D construction planning software to integrate over 36,000 schedule activities, enabling 100+ team members to plan and coordinate with precision.
“The best use of SYNCHRO 4D and, as a result, one of the best planned smoothest running projects I’ve been on.”
Solution
To manage the scale and complexity of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, the project team made SYNCHRO 4D central to its planning and execution strategy. A robust 4D model was used to visualize construction sequencing, coordinate between the concrete hotel tower and steel convention center, and communicate logistics to trade partners. SYNCHRO was mandated across all teams, with training provided to ensure consistent, effective use. This fostered deeper engagement and improved understanding of how individual scopes impacted others. The team used both overall and interior models, which supported hundreds of meetings—including more than 800 plan-of-the-day sessions—to guide decisions and track progress. Safety planning was enhanced by modeling scaffolding and fall protection systems, allowing teams to identify and mitigate risks early. Monthly updates validated planned-vs-actual progress. The result: a six-week early completion and a new benchmark for digital construction delivery.
Outcome
The Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center was completed six weeks ahead of schedule, setting a new benchmark as the largest hotel project on the west coast. Collaboration and visibility across teams were central to the delivery approach, powered by SYNCHRO 4D. SYNCHRO improved planning and coordination by linking 3.2 million geometry pieces to over 36,000 activities. This digital-first strategy enabled efficient sequencing and early turnover of key areas. SYNCHRO is now standard practice for Mortenson’s sports operating group, demonstrating its lasting impact on performance and team collaboration.
Software
SYNCHRO 4D Pro enabled detailed planning and visualization, improved coordination among trades, and drove stronger team engagement throughout project delivery.
Want to accelerate your next mega project? Learn how SYNCHRO 4D supports digital construction delivery.
