A historic landmark in the heart of downtown Phoenix will be restored and reopened as a Hilton Garden Inn this December.
Originally built in 1932 as medical offices and the Valley National Bank, the Professional Building on Central Avenue and Monroe Street was deemed a historical landmark in 1993 by the National Register of Historical Places. After 20 years of vacancy, it was purchased by Minneapolis-based company CSM in December of 2013.
Although the iconic building will be remodeled, it will retain its original essence, including the limestone front, the 24-foot ceilings, the bronze elevators, and the iconic former bank lobby, the developer said. Steve Schlundt, chief operating officer of CSM, said his team was excited to restore the building to its “original glory.”
“We are committed to preserving its beauty and grandeur, and in creating a truly unique experience for our guests,” he said.
State Historic Preservation Officer James W. Garrison said he supports the integrity of the remodeling to mirror the original site.
“We feel the project is preserving and restoring critical character-defining features including the exterior, elevator lobbies and main banking lobby,” he said.
The preservation project will cost $60 million, said director of sales and marketing for CSM Afsaneh Torres. The finished project will include 170 guest rooms on 12 floors, a fitness center, valet parking and a business center.
“In addition to the beauty and old-fashioned glamour of the property, the hotel will offer all of the feature and amenities of a luxury property, but at a mid-scale price,” Torres said. “Until now, guests’ options have been limited in downtown Phoenix, where there are several full-service properties but nothing quite like the Hilton Garden Inn.”
This kind of historic refurbishment is not new for CSM.
“Our founder, Gary Holmes, is very passionate about the restoration of historic sites” Torres said. “CSM has partnered with historic communities to restore sites to their glory.”
The company has worked on several historical sites, including turning a 19th-century train depot into a Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot.
Although the company does not have any experience refurbishing historic buildings in Arizona, CSM owns and manages hotels in Scottsdale and Mesa.
“We saw the need for this brand of hotel in downtown Phoenix and we took the opportunity,” Torres said.
This development will not only bring a “new brand” of hotel to the downtown Phoenix area, but prosperity to surrounding businesses.
“This new project will bring lots of business,” said Odie Rosales, manager of The Counter, a restaurant across the street from the hotel. “The name alone, ‘Hilton Garden Inn,’ will bring a completely new costumer base to the area.”
The renovations for the hotel will be complete this fall with the expectation of opening the public later this year.
Contact the reporter at Jessica.Michelle.Martin@asu.edu
