Renaissance Phoenix Hotel Completes Multimillion-dollar Renovation

A modern 25-foot open campfire is part of the decor in the hotel’s new Dust Cutter saloon.

Considered one of downtown Phoenix’s most iconic and historic properties, located in the epicenter of the city’s vibrant downtown district, The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel recently has completed a multimillion-dollar makeover, according to General Manager Paige Lund.

The $13 million renovation, which commenced in June 2016, included modernizing the exterior of the building and relocating the hotel entrance and valet; a complete redesign of the hotel lobby; the addition of its new signature restaurant Dust Cutter and the largest Starbucks in the downtown district, both of which open onto the historic, and now pedestrian-friendly, Adams Street. According to Lund, one of the key design components of the renovation included the completion of the Adams Street Project, a collaboration between PHXHotel, LLC, owner of the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel; Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm responsible for the exterior renovations; Marriott International, which manages the hotel; and the city of Phoenix.

“The renovation and refurbishment of this historic property was a labor of love on many levels and a collaborative team effort by everyone involved,” said Lund. “We are all invested in enhancing downtown Phoenix as a destination, for both group guests and transient guests, keeping it vibrant and showcasing all it has to offer. We’re fortunate to have an owner who is equally committed to this goal and continues to add amenities and upgrades that the locals and hotel guests will enjoy.”

The Exterior
As a result of a 2013 study completed by Gensler, and approved by the city of Phoenix (at no expense to taxpayers), the overall exterior plan was to transform Adams Street into an engaging, pedestrian-friendly experience by enhancing the streetscape with shade, lighting and signage, which would allow provisions for new food and beverage venues and act as a hub for special events. The asphalt on Adams Street between Central Avenue and First Street was replaced with brick pavers, while trees and greenery in bioswale planters were added to line the street, giving it an inviting, urban feel. The environmentally-friendly planters capture rainwater runoff, reduce water flow into the storm drainage system and help recharge groundwater.

Tapping into Renaissance Hotels’ brand promise of discovering and uniting the brand’s common core values of intriguing, indigenous and independent, both the interior and exterior design features were choreographed in synchronicity to evoke visceral emotions and create a lasting experience for hotel guests and locals.

Inspired by the iconic design of the hotel tower’s precast and curved concrete windows which block up to 70 percent of the sun’s heat, Gensler added new aluminum fins to cover the base of the tower, continuing the themes of shadow, light and striking repetitive patterns. According to Gensler, this new exterior screen complements the emblematic pattern created by the windows, allowing the tower to take center stage while creating a more contemporary, mid-century feel while enhancing the experience at street level.  Additionally, and easily viewed from the Phoenix Convention Center, a large, color-changing LED glass feature acts as a beacon, attracting downtown residents, locals and tourists to the Renaissance.

Further embracing the Renaissance brand of discovery and locality, Gensler created an innovative and interactive light experience now known as the Ghost Letters, that is only visible at night on the East side of the hotel. Through use of a utilitarian reflective material that is hidden during the day, observers using flash photography or a flashlight will see the letters P-H-X revealed.

The Interior
With the relocation of the hotel’s entry from Adams Street to First Street, a new lobby and porte cochere were added, and the existing lobby was remodeled with a visual “wow” factor based on “Rooted Rising,” an interior design concept  that represents the mythological bird, The Phoenix, rising from the ashes.

According to Tami Loewen, of the Loewen Design Group, interior designer on the project, the original Hotel Adams, built in 1896, burned down in 1910 and was rebuilt a year later.  In 1973, the hotel was torn down again and the new Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel was built in 1975. This newest renovation represents the hotel’s third rising from the ashes to begin anew. Additionally, Loewen attributes five genres that set the stage and foundation for the overall interior design concept: Elevated Cool, Holding the Curious, Carefree and Spirited, Regional Mojo and Authentic Confidence.

The new lobby interior combines modern, yet warm natural materials paying homage to the textural experiences of the Sonoran Desert.  New planked tile flooring, etched in a modern wood grain pattern is depicted in honed and polished finishes. A portion of the new lobby wall features a fine, white oak “Lugano” finish in a chevron pattern that depicts the essence of a skeleton from a Saguaro cactus. Another curved entry wall is clad in lizard-like hides molded out of pearlescent resin in various shades of earth tones. Behind the new front desk is a three-dimensional metal and iron skyline of downtown Phoenix.

Eye-catching and one-of-a-kind chandeliers and light sculptures are strategically displayed throughout the lobby and inside Dust Cutter, including the breathtaking “Growing Vases” glass light sculpture that pays tribute to the modern interpretation of “Rooted Rising.”  The $100,000 sculpture was created by Czechoslovakian-based Lasvit, internationally known for its creative craftsmanship and authority on bespoke lighting and hand-blown glass sculptures. “Growing Vases” was hand blown by master artisans and created specifically for the hotel’s new lobby. The five segmented faceted table pieces below the sculpture represent the Grand Canyon as a symbol of the region. The magnificent piece can be experienced from all entry points to the hotel and is considered the Instagram-worthy “wow” factor upon entering the hotel.

A variety of hand-selected artwork, sepia-toned murals and specially designed graphics throughout both the lobby and Dust Cutter, each telling its own story based on its respective location in the lobby or restaurant. Whether it’s a large colorful painting known as the Relaxed Roadrunner; a black-and-white painting of a Great Horned Owl named Wink, created by Steve Hickok, nephew of Wild Bill Hickok; or four oversized frames featuring Hermes scarves that reinforce the solar vibe of the lobby’s “Here Comes the Sun” section — each piece of artwork or accessory was carefully selected based on how it fit into the five genres.

Reflecting upon Phoenix’s western roots in both design and flavor, Dust Cutter, the hotel’s modern urban saloon, creates an authentic local experience and is the center showpiece of the new lobby. Dust Cutter derives its name from the ranch hands and cowboys whom, after a long day in the saddle riding on the range, would saunter into a saloon needing something to refresh their thirst and cut the dust.

Featuring three, oversized garage doors that open onto the newly-paved Adams Street to welcome locals and hotel guests alike, Dust Cutter’s open floor plan and centerpiece bar create an interactive intersection of community, culinary and contemporary cowboy. A 25-foot-long streamlined bed of local river rock and large custom iron logs creates a modern campfire that is open to the exterior and interior. A custom 15-foot “Post and Perch” community table made from a live edge Redwood tree includes both bar stools and an iron foot rail for guests to post or perch. Railroad beams suspended with frayed rope support a six-foot pair of spurs from the 1960s, while vintage cowboy accessories and a Cabinet of Cocktail Curiosities highlight the decor.

For information on the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, click here or call 602-333-0000.

www.marriott.com