Phoenix to Get Convention Center Hotel

Phoenix is pushing ahead in its effort to make itself a more attractive tradeshow destination. Besides the additional 300,000 square feet of exhibit space it's getting for its Civic Plaza convention center, the city is also getting a new convention hotel just a block away.

The Phoenix City Council recently approved plans to build a 1,000-room convention hotel in Copper Square, the neighborhood that is home to America West Arena, Bank One Ball Park and the city's symphony hall — not to mention Civic Plaza. To be owned by the city and operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide under the Sheraton banner, the new hotel is the latest item in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Phoenix.

In addition, convention center officials say, the hotel was necessary to accommodate the influx of business they expect to accompany their own expansion. The $600-million Civic Plaza project, which broke ground last May, is slated to bring the center's total exhibit space to 900,000 sq. ft. and will be completed by mid-2009. It will happen in phases, though, with a 165,000-sq. ft. West Building opening in early 2006, and a 143,000-sq. ft. expansion to the existing South Building opening later.

The new Sheraton will join a 712-room Hyatt Regency and a 532-room Wyndham as the city's main source for convention lodging. The Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau had been tracking opportunities lost because of the current exhibit space and housing situation in the city, and reported that 300 conventions — worth an estimated $1.3 billion in direct spending — had shown interest in Phoenix but gone elsewhere since 1986.