Hotel Aims to Alleviate Parking Woes on Ocean Ave.

"" is a recently launched Santa Monica Patch series that spotlights new businesses in our city. For the fifth edition, we focus on Shore Hotel, which is located at 1515 Ocean Ave. and is the latest addition to Ocean Avenue and the coastline. While the hotel opened Oct. 7, an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Thursday evening.

In anticipation of the event, we interviewed Jon Farzam, who is a member of the Farzam family, which owns Shore Hotel. He described its eco-friendliness (the hotel is up to the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard), talked about the Blue Plate Taco restaurant and bar that's due to open in the spring, and explained what other amenities and benefits Santa Monicans can enjoy from the hotel.

Santa Monica Patch: Why did you decide to open your business in Santa Monica in particular?

Jon Farzam: Santa Monica’s a high-traffic tourist destination. Also, the weather and ambiance. Santa Monica shares the same vision of sustainability that is reflected in our business.

Patch: Please provide a brief history of your business.

Farzam: Through the thick and thin of downed economies, our businesses have thrived/upgraded from limited-service properties to full-service properties. We pride ourselves on customer service and provide value without compromise, which has contributed our success.

Patch: What makes your business unique?

Farzam: We are unique in the sense that no other hotel is a beachfront, LEED-certified, “California Modern” hotel that provides unequivocal service like ours.

Patch: What contribution(s) do you believe your business will make to the city?

Farzam: Providing more supply to the high parking demand by having a total of 300 spaces (which is an excess of what’s required by code). Providing a destination not only for tourists, but also for locals, to eat at Blue Plate Taco and our other potential restaurant. Significantly reducing our carbon footprint on electricity, water, daily operating supplies, waste, etc.

Patch: Why should Santa Monicans frequent your business?

Farzam: We are in the heart of Santa Monica ... less than a block from , two blocks from and across the street from . Visitors can valet or self-park to attend , restaurants, shopping and .

Do you plan to check out the Shore Hotel? Tell us in the comments box below.