COVER STORY, OCTOBER 2006

HOT SPOTS OF HOSPITALITY
New hotel projects are springing up across the West as developers attempt to create the perfect vacation spot.
Brianne Gloski

As commercial property development increases all along the West Coast, the demand for more hotel rooms has risen right along with it. Certain western markets are clambering for upscale hospitality development to provide a bigger draw to the area and keep tourists coming back for more.

CityCenter

MGM MIRAGE’s $7 billion CityCenter in Las Vegas will be completed in late 2009.

MGM MIRAGE has teamed up with several key partners to design and construct the sophisticated new project. Gensler serves as the executive architect, Perini Building Co. is the primary contractor and Tishman Construction Corp. serves as the executive construction manager.

In addition to these team members, Pelli Clarke Pelli designed the hotel, casino and convention center that will be included on the property. It features a 4,000-room resort and a 250,000-square-foot casino. Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel and The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. This development will feature 227 condominium residences situated on the upper floors of a 400-room hotel tower. Two other condo/hotel towers will also be included on the property. Conceived and operated by The Light Group and designed by Foster and Partners, The Harmon Hotel & Residences will consist of 400 hotel rooms and 240 condominium residences. In addition, RV Architecture has designed the Vdara Condo Hotel, which will include 1,543 residential units.

Also included in CityCenter is the two-building, 37-story Veer residential development and 500,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space, including fashionable clubs, gourmet restaurants, high-end retailers and galleries.

“CityCenter takes freedom of choice to a whole new level,” says Alan Feldman, senior vice president of public affairs for MGM MIRAGE. “It offers guests and potential buyers every type of living, from modern, contemporary lofts to ultra-luxury resort hotel residences.”

Glendale Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express and Suites

With all the new development occurring in Glendale, Arizona, over the past year and extending into 2007, the demand for hotel rooms in the West Valley has increased drastically. Once presented the opportunity to develop, Vancouver, Washington-based Northwest Hospitality Group jumped at the chance to answer the market demand with two new hotels.

Set to start construction in November, the 117-room Glendale Staybridge Suites and the 96-room Holiday Inn Express and Suites will bring 213 total guest rooms to the fast-growing west valley of the Phoenix metropolitan market. “This development represents the tip of the iceberg of what is planned to transform Glendale into the entertainment and business center of the west valley,” says Rick Takach, president and CEO of Northwest Hospitality Group.

Northwest has partnered with Holtra Development on the $25 million total project, located right off the Glendale Avenue exit of the Loop 101 Highway. The hotels are within walking distance of the new Cardinals Stadium, the Glendale Arena  — which hosts concerts and is home to the National Hockey League Phoenix Coyotes and the National Lacrosse League Arizona Sting — a new convention center, and more than 2.5 million square feet of office, retail and entertainment space that is currently in the construction pipeline in Glendale’s Entertainment District.

The design of the Glendale Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express and Suites will incorporate an entry river with fountains, a resort pool and lush landscaping, extensive stonework, different shades of stucco, and decorative ironwork, according to Takach. “The Glendale Entertainment District represents a new development area within the city of Glendale, with governing design principles dictating upscale building construction and architecturally stunning design,” says Takach. “As such, the design of the Glendale Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express and Suites has gone beyond minimum brand standards.” Completion of the two hotels is scheduled for November 2007.

Escondido Marriott Hotel and Resort

Escondido, California, will get its first-class hotel when the Escondido Marriott Hotel and Resort opens in the Escondido Civic Center in 2009. Set to encompass 196,000 square feet, the $56.5 million hotel will include 196 rooms and more than 12,000 square feet of conference and meeting facilities, featuring state-of-the-art audio-video systems plus Marriott’s Business Center and technology amenities. Planning for the joint venture between C.W. Clark and Phelps Development began in mid-2003, and construction will start in first quarter 2007, according to Larry Kimball, director of hotel development at C.W. Clark.

Project partners include Hensel Phelps Construction Co. as the general contractor and Joseph Wong Design Associates as the architect. According to Kimball, the project’s design will blend the hotel into the neighboring developments and city features. “The hotel has a contemporary art deco design with neo-classical influences,” says Kimball. “The architecture anchors the neighboring Escondido Civic Center and offers a connection to the historic district by encouraging pedestrian access through an engaging visual connection to Grape Day Park and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.” Guests will also benefit from the hotel’s close proximity to other attractions including the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Children’s Museum, golf courses, restaurants and shopping.

©2006 France Publications, Inc. Duplication or reproduction of this article not permitted without authorization from France Publications, Inc. For information on reprints of this article contact Barbara Sherer at (630) 554-6054.