I know this was already mentioned but there is an interesting roof top pool photo in the article that I don't recall seeing before
Marriott may bring new Europe next to old Tempe
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca...ring-new-europe-next-old-tempe/12646389/
If Charles Hayden saw Tempe today, he probably wouldn't recognize much other than his namesake, the Hayden Flour Mill.
Since Hayden opened the mill in the late 19th century, the surrounding area has become among the most attractive places to be for Southeast Valley residents and visitors. Mill Avenue is the base for social 20-somethings. Families frequent Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake. The condominiums at Hayden Ferry Lakeside are home to those with a taste for luxury.
And now, it appears the area could see even more tourists and visitors.
On July 9, Tempe's Development Review Commission heard a proposal from representatives of Woodbine Development and Marriott Hotels who want to build an AC by Marriott, a European series that the hotel giant is bringing to the U.S.
This development near the historic flour mill would join several other attempts to develop or refurbish Southeast Valley historic sites. Some have succeeded, such as Chandler's San Marcos Hotel and Gilbert's Liberty Market. Others have not, including Mesa's Sunkist building.
AC by Marriott
An architect’s rendering of a hotel that could be built adjacent to the historic Hayden Flour Mill in downtown Tempe.(Photo: Courtesy of Woodbine Development Corp.)
According to Mike Withey of Withey Morris Law Firm, who is representing the project, there are about 83 AC hotels in the world. In the U.S., other sites are in New Orleans and Kansas City.
"The end result is something we'll be very proud of," Withey told the commission.
The hotel would sit just northeast of the Hayden Flour Mill, sharing the Rio Salado Parking Structure with Hayden Ferry Lakeside condominiums. Though this is not the first time someone has tried to develop a hotel in that space.
In 2006, a proposal was placed in front of the Tempe Development Review Commission for the Tempe Town Lake Hotel and Condominiums. The site would have had 183 rooms and 40 residential condos in a 14-story building.
But the dirt lot next to the Rio Salado Parking Structure never became the Tempe Town Lake Hotel and Condominiums. When asked why the site never developed, Tempe Development Review Commission Chairman Dennis Web replied, "Finance."
By the time construction was to begin, the recession hit, and with pockets bare, hotels were the last thing on which people wanted to spend their money.
AC by Marriott
Architect's rendering of a hotel to be built adjacent to the historic Hayden Flour Mill in downtown Tempe.(Photo: Courtesy of Woodbine Development Corp.)
It's unlikely AC by Marriott will suffer the same fate. The economy has improved since 2008, and the team for the development — Marriott, Woodbine Development and Withey Morris — made sure to cover all their bases.
The proposed Marriott is much smaller than the 2006 hotel concept, with six floors instead of 14 and 159 rooms instead of 183. Woodbine representatives spoke with residents at the Hayden Ferry Lakeside condominiums to make sure they were satisfied with the future site. Even though the commission did not require Woodbine to garner the support of neighbors, the team felt it was important.
Robert Stephan Jr. came to the review as a representative of the condo's HOA. Stephan claimed he had "the proud distinction of being the first person to live on Tempe Town Lake," and gave full support of Woodbine's plans for development.
Hayden Flour Mill 1940Hayden Flour Mill as it looked in the 1940s. (Photo: Courtesy of the Tempe History Museum) Fullscreen
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"I can report that working with Woodbine has been extraordinarily fun," Stephan told the commission. "Woodbine has involved us so that we feel we are a part of making their hotel part of our community."
Stephan said that "any other structural use of that vacant parcel would be far less desirable." He said that he would have preferred a park over a hotel, but he understood the attraction of that space.
As for the Tempe Development Commission Review, the project seemed appealing and beneficial for the city. Though two commissioners were missing during the proposal, the five remaining commissioners approved AC by Marriott unanimously.
Commissioner Chairman Webb said the hotel would be a perfect complement.
"It fits well, and it's a great use for the area," Webb said over the phone.
Development near Tempe Town Lake is booming, namely with new apartment complexes as well as the future Marina Heights. According to Kristopher Harmon, project manager and legal counsel for Woodbine Southwest, it was the growth in Tempe that attracted Woodbine and Marriott in the first place.
"For Marriott, the tagline is 'feel the city.' They're geared toward urban markets … and one place that's very urban is downtown Tempe," Harmon said in a phone interview. "Woodbine likes Tempe because of the job growth and action with Marina Heights and Mill Avenue. It has lots of good job creators."
Harmon also mentioned their support of mixed use developments, which is something Woodbine attempts to involve themselves with as often as possible. Harmon pointed out one of their most notable projects in Arizona, Scottsdale's Kierland Commons.
"Even though this project won't be mixed use [like Kierland], we're glad to be in an area where there is already lots of mixed use.
If Woodbine gets approval for their building permits, Harmon said that Tempe could see an AC by Marriott by early 2016.
Once Charles Hayden got over the initial shock of how Tempe has changed, he would probably be proud to see how his flour mill has remained a cornerstone, standing strong within the massive urbanization of the city.
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