One of Phoenix’s newest luxury hotels features 141 rooms across five stories and five signature restaurants set against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain. The 200,000-sq-ft structure features a member’s club and a 9,000-sq-ft wellness center, with one of the five restaurants taking up an 18,000-sq-ft rooftop space. The rooms range in size from 460 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft.

Teamwork proved essential when incorporating additional structural modifications and interior design features. These enhancements included transforming a planned rooftop mechanical yard into an event space, installing custom-designed architectural elements and adding specialized interior finishes to achieve a distinct international aesthetic.

Photo by Kevin Brost

Regular meetings and detailed documentation helped inform decision-making and alignment on project priorities. This collaborative approach also enabled the project team to adjust construction sequencing, optimize workflow efficiency and mitigate any unforeseen complexities that arose from the additional scope without compromising the project’s overall integrity.

Integrating these changes into the existing construction schedule also required meticulous planning. Comprehensive assessments and discussions with trade partners and suppliers ensured that all materials would match the updated design specifications.

Accommodating the project’s expanding scope and new design enhancements extended the original substantial completion date, but that decision was carefully reviewed and approved by the owner. The project was delivered in April 2024 after about 2.5 years of construction.

Photo by Kevin Brost

High-quality materials and finishes sourced from around the world included brass fixtures, white brick, antique plastered ceilings and marble floors, elevating the hotel’s design aesthetic.

For the building’s exterior, the design team chose to use an insulated masonry veneer system that incorporates continuous insulation and a barrier that’s air and water resistant.

A high-strength setting bed mortar adhered the thin brick veneer without the use of mechanical fasteners, which will reduce thermal bridging. This will help reduce energy usage and better maintain indoor temperatures throughout the year.

Photo by Kevin Brost

The project team’s use of building information modeling helped ensure accurate installation of the hotel’s complex architectural elements and mechanical systems. Augmented reality helped boost stakeholder engagement as well, allowing real-time visualization of design concepts and construction progress, fostering informed decision-making and promoting transparency.