The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on Thursday in One Central Park East at 333 North Central Avenue, which has an imposing 26 stories that were initially designed to function as Grade A office space.
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One Central Park East’s top floors are occupied by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc, but the rest of the building was left empty due to the plummeting economy. The owners, the National Electrical Benefit Fund were forced to think of a different use.
Ryan Whitaker, director of equity investments for National Real Estate Advisors, which manages investments for the National Electrical Benefit Fund, told the Arizona Republic, “In 2009, at the depths of the recession, we were coming to them (the Westin) with a shell building that was already in place and the financing to build out the hotel.
“We were, so to speak, the prettiest girl at the dance.”
The new hotel has 242 guest rooms of 540 square meters or bigger. It also boasts a meeting space of 10,316 square feet, a fitness centre, a business centre and valet parking.
Debra Barton, the general manager of the hotel, said that the new Westin will try to carve out a niche in Phoenix, and be different from the huge downtown hotels that are mainly used for conventions.
“We are targeting individual business and leisure travellers, smaller upscale corporate meetings, and more intimate social galas and weddings”, she said.
“Our Executive Club provides an even higher level of amenities in its private relaxation lounge with dramatic city and mountain views.”
Currently, Westin operates over 120 hotels in 24 countries. Westin claims that it is the first hotel chain to offer guest credit cards and personal voicemail in every room.
Editor’s notes: In 2016, In 2016, Marriott International acquired Westin Hotels’ parent company, Starwood.
As of May 2023, Marriott continues to operate the Westin Phoenix Downtown on 333 North Central Avenue.