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Beck’s Motor Lodge Chooses Family Touches in Heart of Neighborhood
Brittney Beck, the granddaughter of builder Will Beck, is now technologically upgrading the
hotel to better serve guests. (photo: Bill Sywak)
By J. Dean Woodbury
Beck’s Motor Lodge, long a Castro fixture, has come back into the family fold.
Designed and built by Will Beck in 1958, it was originally used mostly by folks visiting the predominantly working-class Irish neighborhood of the day. One of the only motels in the area, it has always been a convenient amenity in Upper Market for tourists and locals alike.
Beck and his family used several rooms at the lodge for personal use, and managers lived on site. When it came time for the business torch to be passed from one generation to the next, however, Beck’s son already had his hands full with his own business. In his stead, a management team was hired, and for the next 20-odd years independent staff ran the place.
Now, at long last, the Lodge is back in family hands. Beck’s granddaughter, Brittney Beck, is now at the helm, and under her stewardship the motel is undergoing myriad changes. An effervescent, creative entrepreneur, she has plans big and small for the establishment.
For one thing, all transactions have traditionally been done on paper, including reservations and checkouts, which can be time consuming. The Motor Lodge is getting a new computer system to make everything run more smoothly, enabling staff to provide higher quality service to guests. Also on deck is the eponymous sign, which used to be lit up but now stands dark; it will be getting its own makeover, including flashy bulbs to make it stand out like a welcoming beacon.
Other changes, including style updates to the rooms are in the making. Although the motel already offers a host of amenities, such as WiFi, fireplaces and a sundeck, Beck has a few ambitious ideas in the works. One such plan is the eventual installation of an outdoor pool, ensconced behind a hallway of glass that may one day house the expanded lobby, creating a semi-private space for guests and their friends to lounge around a possible bar feature.
Beck’s Motor Lodge is located at 2222 Market St.
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