El Cortez Hotel San Diego’s first true skyscraper, once the tallest building in the city. History: Built in 1927, El Cortez was a glamorous hotel and beacon of downtown luxury. Its iconic rooftop sign and glass elevator were once symbols of modern innovation. With its dramatic sky and glowing neon, Ray Carpenter’s tribute to the El Cortez brings the legendary hotel—and its famous Travolator ramp—back to life in a dreamy dance of color, nostalgia, and San Diego history.