Park Manor Suites, located at 525 Spruce St., is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, the hotel will host a series of fund-raising events for local charities in June and July.

In preparation for this milestone, the hotel has been undergoing significant renovations designed to restore the building to its prime. A new elevator has been installed that can accommodate more passengers, and the hotel rooms have been decorated with antiques and other furnishings.

Many of the improvements impact the seventh-floor penthouse area, known as Top of the Park. The recent renovations capitalize on one of Top of the Park’s best features: its spectacular views of San Diego Bay, downtown and Balboa Park. The western side of the penthouse patio has been opened up, providing guests with a panoramic view of the bay. In addition, a new bar has been installed with indoor and outdoor access for patrons. The floor plan has also been reconfigured to provide for better flow throughout the penthouse.

The top-floor bar and dining area has been a favorite destination for gay men on Friday nights for more than a decade. With these renovations, however, Park Manor hopes to increase interest in Top of the Park for other occasions as well. The spacious, airy dining room is already becoming a popular lunch spot during the week. Park Manor is also positioning itself as an ideal location for commitment ceremonies, parties and weddings. They offer several all-inclusive packages specifically designed for such events.

Designated a historical site in 1991 by the city of San Diego, Park Manor Suites was built in 1926. The designer was Frank P. Allen Jr., who was also the chief architect of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and built many of the buildings for the 1935 Exposition that took place in neighboring Balboa Park. Allen designed Park Manor in the ornate Italian Renaissance style that was prevalent at the time.

During the 1920s, the hotel became a favored destination for Hollywood’s elite. Positioned between Rosarito Beach and Del Mar, Park Manor was a frequent stopping point for the film world’s major players.

Over the years, the hotel’s grandeur faded. The modern drive to restore the once elegant building began in 1978 when Dr. Stanley Willis purchased the property and embarked on a plan of extensive renovations and improvements.

Now, 80 years after it first opened, Park Manor Suites is again a viable property and a popular destination. The hotel is inviting the community to help them celebrate eight decades of growth and revitalization with a weekend of events.

A special kick-off party begins the festivities on Friday, June 30, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Guests at the Top of the Park happy hour will receive complimentary birthday cake and can submit their business cards into a drawing to win an overnight stay at the hotel and dinner for two at the onsite restaurant, Inn at the Park. This is a free event.

“Gala Under the Stars” will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Featuring a hosted bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, this event will benefit Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization that provides low-income, elderly, disabled and chronically ill people with essential services to help them maintain companion animals in their homes. A $50 donation is suggested for this event and RSVPs are required. Call (619) 297-7297 to make a reservation.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 2, Park Manor will host a barbecue in support of Mama’s Kitchen and Special Delivery. Both beneficiaries are organizations that provide meals to people in San Diego living with HIV/AIDS or other life-threatening illnesses. The barbecue will run from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. and a $20 donation is suggested.

For more information about events at Park Manor Suites, visit www.parkmanorsuites.com or call (619) 291-0999.