Millbrae’s Best Western El Rancho Inn on El Camino Real is getting ready to shut down as they are preparing for a new housing project. City officials say that the new development will include 384 apartment units and could take up to two years to complete. El Rancho Inn opened in 1948 and quickly became well known around the Millbrae community because of its unique design and history.

Students living around the area have mixed feelings about the hotel shutting down. Some think that it’s sad to see such a recognizable place go away, while others think that the new housing will benefit the community greatly.

“It’s kind of strange knowing it’s going away because it’s been there since I can remember,” said ninth grader Jackson Ortiz. “Even people who didn’t live near the area still knew about El Rancho.”

Jonathan Hernandez, a ninth grade student from Capuchino High School, said that the new housing could be good for the city.

“I think adding more housing could be really good and help a lot of people,” said Hernandez. “But it is still sad to see a place like that go.”

Even though the hotel is closing, the new development will be a big change for the city. As Millbrae continues to build and close many different structures, long lasting buildings like El Rancho Inn will never be forgotten by the community.