The Valley of the Sun

What’s New In The Valley Of The Sun!

The Valley of the Sun lies within Maricopa County in the Grand Canyon state of Arizona. Over 60% of Arizona’s population resides in Maricopa County and census figures show that we have now become the fastest growing county in the United States! Phoenix, Maricopa County’s largest city has just become the 5th largest city in the United States with a population approaching 4 million people. With all of this growth we are experiencing new projects on a daily basis. From downtown Phoenix to Glendale, Tempe and Scottsdale these exciting new projects are extremely visible. Here is a list of some of our new completed projects as well as those that are still in progress.

Light Rail Project:

The first phase of the Light Rail Project is scheduled for completion in 2008 and the first trunk line will connect parts of the East Valley (Mesa), Arizona State University (Tempe) with the every changing skyline and rapid development of Downtown Phoenix.

Downtown Phoenix:

Just as the story portrays, Downtown Phoenix has been reborn and risen from its ashes to become an action packed destination for locals and tourists alike. Arizona State University has expanded its campus to the downtown area and the growth is adding many new businesses to this now vibrant community with new art galleries, restaurants, hotels and condominium projects just to name a few. New construction of the 1000 room Sheraton is underway with completion scheduled for late ‘08 or early ’09. A new W Hotel is on the books as well and there is a rumor of an upscale boutique resort in the early planning stages.

Westgate Center, Glendale, AZ:

The Westgate Center has created an explosion of growth in the West Valley and currently houses the new state of the art University of Phoenix stadium, home of the NFL’s Phoenix Cardinals and site of the 2008 Super Bowl. Jobbing.com Arena also resides in Westgate Center and not only is home to the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, but has become one of the top venues in the Valley for attracting concerts and top name entertainment. The Center is extremely fan friendly with its beautiful layout of numerous shops, boutiques, restaurants and sidewalk cafes.

Tempe:

Tempe, long regarded as a hip college town and home to ASU with its trendy Mill Avenue District, is now poised to embrace the Valley’s growth with numerous projects. Tempe is proud of its Tempe Town Lake Project which created a scenic waterfront playground in the heart of the city. Now Tempe is poised to take a bite out of the Valley’s luxury-hotel industry. Although the city currently holds only a fraction of the Valley’s 55,000 hotel rooms; it has 5,369 rooms among 44 hotels. This is just the tip of the iceberg as there are now plans for nine new hotels (5 of those would be upscale properties) and the expansion of an existing one, adding a total of 1,750 rooms to the city’s inventory!

Scottsdale:

Scottsdale maintains its Valley lead on tourism and has become a unique destination mecca. It is here where the changes are constant and the new growth has created an exciting and competitive feel and catalyst towards capturing the tourism dollar! Old Town Scottsdale has come alive with the new Scottsdale Waterfront Project. Hot new restaurants, shops, boutiques and high end condo projects inspire this welcomed chic new community. Many of the surrounding resorts have changed hands or remodeled to keep pace and keep fresh.

• Mondrian (formerly the James): In January, 2007, the 194-room Mondrian (Morgans Hotel Group) opened its doors with the completion of its $5 million remodel. Many of Hollywood’s top celebrities were on hand to celebrate the festivities.

• Hotel Valley Ho: The Hotel Valley Ho actually dates back to the 50’s and was a popular playground escape for many of Hollywood’s movie stars. Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood spent their honeymoon there many years ago. Approximately two years ago the Hotel Valley Ho went through a major remodel by gutting the old property and adding a new tower. The award winning retro style décor makes you feel like you have stepped back into time. Hotel Valley Ho has become one of Scottsdale’s most unique properties!

• W Hotel: The tower cranes are in place and construction is well under way on Starwood’s newest Scottsdale project, the “W” Hotel, located just yards from the trendy new Scottsdale Waterfront and Scottsdale Fashion Square. The 7-story “W” is scheduled for unveiling its 224 guest rooms, Bliss Spa and 18 luxury W residences in late 2007 or early 2008.

• FireSkye (formerly Caleo Resort): Just completing an extensive renovation, Kimpton Resorts has re-branded the site of its former Caleo Resort into an Eco Friendly “Green” Resort and Spa.

• Hotel Indigo (formerly Hampton Inn): Scottsdale’s downtown scene is the talk of the town these days and adding to the mix is Hotel Indigo, the newest member to the InterContinental Hotels Group family. In the heart of the downtown entertainment district this 126-room moderate hotel underwent a $17 million renovation and reopened its doors to the public on Jan. 5, 2007.

Paradise Valley:

Paradise Valley is Arizona’s most EXPENSIVE zip code. This is the home to many of the worlds wealthiest. The median home price here is close to 1.5 million dollars. Paradise Valley or “PV” as many call it is also the home and future home of some of the Valley’s top resorts.

• JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort: Currently involved in a $35 million renovation the ever popular “JW CBI” will show like a brand new resort complete with a new expansive 22,000 square foot Ballroom, reinvention of the main building, a more welcoming arrival, a soothing courtyard and the addition of New York’s popular restaurant BLT.

• InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa: Just down the street from the “JW CBI” construction has started on the new $250 million InterContinental Montelucia Resort, on the former site of the LaPosada Resort. The finished resort will offer 292 high-end rooms, including 34 luxury villas that will be separately owned by the residents, but managed by the resort. Built in the Spanish Andalusian architectural style and nestled along the base of Camelback Mountain, this resort and 30,000 square-foot luxury spa promises to be one of the Valley’s finest.

• The Sanctuary: This small resort, is THE quintessential boutique-style resort. The rooms are all unique, different and the views from the popular Elements Restaurant are absolutely stunning. Excellent Spa, Pools and Tennis facilities.

• The Phoenician: The Phoenician rests against Camelback Mountain and dates back to the early 80’s when it was built as the dream child of financier Charles Keating Jr. before the infamous Savings and Loan scandal that would send the resort into a tailspin. The Phoenician still houses the Valleys most prestigious restaurant, Mary Elaines, named after Keating’s wife. The Phoenician has just finished its $5.5 million enhancement of the 60 guestrooms, private exclusive lobby, pool, cabanas and meeting space in the Canyon Suites Building creating a “resort within a resort” effect..

• Royal Palms: A $12 million renovation was recently completed in February, 2007, and debuted its new Montavista Courtyard and Suites. The reconfiguration of 70 rooms surrounds the warm Montavista, a romantic Mediterranean-style courtyard with a blossoming garden, reflecting pools and fountains. The renovations bring the resorts total room count to 119 and include 17 Montevista guest rooms and suites.

• The Ritz Carlton: Marriot International released plans to construct a new Ritz Carlton on a very large piece of property located near the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend the large property will actually lie within the city limits of both Paradise Valley and Scottsdale. The $400 million project will include tiered-residential development built around a 225-room Ritz-Carlton that will be a hacienda-style resort with casitas.

Fountain Hills:

This once sleepy suburb to the east of Scottsdale is now home to a couple of Valley resorts that have brought attention to this city which is infamous as the home of the world’s tallest fountain.

• Copperwynd Resort: This petite resort (32 rooms) sits on a hill that portrays some of the most scenic vistas in the entire Valley. You feel like you are in heaven as you look at the incedible views of the surrounding Superstition and Four Peaks Mountain ranges. A Perfect setting for those small groups.

• Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino: The Yavapai Nation and Radisson Resorts have teamed up to bring a gaming style environment to this property. Reasonably priced with numerous activities within close proximity make this resort a perfect fit for your next corporate outing. Don’t forget to experience the two fabulous championship golf courses on property, We-Ko-Pa Cholla and Sagauro courses!