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Historic hot springs redevelopment earns ACEC California Merit Award
Salas O’Brien’s structural and MEP engineering played a key role in revitalizing the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, earning a Merit Award in the 2026 ACEC California Engineering Excellence Awards.
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), California has recognized Salas O’Brien with a Merit Award in the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards for its work on the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Redevelopment, a one-of-a-kind hospitality project rooted in adaptive reuse.
First opened in 1902, the historic hot springs property has been transformed into a destination tailored to today’s guests while staying true to its character. Working with Walter R. Allen Architect, Salas O’Brien supported the revitalization of the original bathhouse and surrounding facilities with structural and MEP engineering informed by energy modeling, meeting modern standards without losing the site’s historic charm.
Structural retrofits stabilized the longstanding building and supported new systems that enhance temperature-based guest experiences, humidity control, and long-term durability. All upgrades were thoughtfully integrated within existing structures, keeping the look and feel of the resort intact.
This year, the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Redevelopment is one of just 27 projects recognized across California with a Merit Award for demonstrating innovation, complexity, and lasting value. Awardees were honored at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet on February 19, 2026, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California.