Timan said the site has spectacular city and mountain views, yet “as a school it was never really constructed to take advantage of those views.” “From the day we bought the property we were committed to maintaining its historical integrity, while still trying to provide a first-class guest experience,” Fink said.Ī primary goal for the expansion was to capitalize on the visual assets of the property. The property fell from the limelight for a number of years, changing hands with various owners until it was purchased in 1995 by partners McGrath, Firth, Rick Fink, Mike Stilb, Jeff Timan and Paul Ginsburg. In 1948, Hacienda Del Sol opened as a guest ranch, attracting Hollywood types including Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn and John Wayne. True to the historic style of the time, Joesler’s early work became the template and inspiration for all improvements that would take place at the Hacienda in future decades. In the late 1930s, well-known architect Josias Joesler was commissioned to rebuild several areas that were damaged by a fire. A college preparatory school for girls, famous families that attended included Pillsbury, Vanderbilt, Maxwell, Westinghouse and Spalding. Shortly after completion, it was operated as the Hacienda Del Sol School from 1930 to 1948. The Hacienda, located on 34 acres in the Catalina foothills of northeast Tucson, was built in 1929 by Helen and John Murphey, who did much of the construction – everything from hand-crafting the fixtures to the unique carving on the beams done by Helen herself. “But how do you update an infrastructure that dates back to the 1920s and 1930s?”įirst a school for girls, then a Hollywood hideaway “There were so many things that needed to be upgraded,” he said. The partners met weekly for several years to be sure they would “get it right.” Planning the expansion of the boutique hotel was not without its challenges, said Tom Firth, managing partner of the property. If you’re going to come in here and build on this, don’t ruin the ambiance of the Hacienda.’ ” “The one thing we kept telling ourselves and all of the architects who brought us ideas was this – ‘the Hacienda is a very special place. “This is an idea that has been years in the making,” said Michael McGrath, one of six partners who own the property. The recent expansion includes 32 additional guest rooms and suites, a new entryway, a retractable roof over the popular Terraza Garden & Patio Lounge for year-round dining, a new ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people, a negative-edge pool with outdoor bar, a commissary, administration building and landscaped walkways – plus more than $1 million in sculptures and artwork throughout the property. After years of planning and discussion, followed by nearly two years of design and construction, the historic boutique resort is putting the finishing touches on the first major development for the property in half a century. The multi-million dollar expansion of the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort is complete. The last of the stone has been placed around the new ballroom, artwork is installed and the Catalina rooms are all furnished and hosting guests. Commercial Real Estate, Construction & Developmentīy Mary Minor Davis – Hacienda Del Sol Unveils New Ballroom, Guest RoomsĪrtful Blend of Historic Charm, Modern Amenities.NORTHWEST MEDICAL CENTER & ORO VALLEY HOSPITAL.COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA.SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2017.TECH LAUNCH ARIZONA / TECH PARKS ARIZONA.UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.ANDREW WEIL CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE.PIMA JOINT TECHNICAL EDUCATION DISTRICT.UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF SCIENCE.For a special treat, indulge in a custom organic facial that employs Eminence of Hungary high-quality organic spa products, which can be purchased in the gift shop as well. The intimate spa offers three treatment rooms, in which you can book old standards like deep-tissue, hot stone and couples massages.Specimen cacti, pots filled with seasonal flowers, bougainvillea and lantana abound. There are the gardens, tucked throughout the grounds, are also dotted with sculptures.Inside the historic main building, cozy up to the hand-painted fireplace and admire the vintage Monterey furniture in the old living room or catch up on your reading or play a board game in the library.Fire pits by the pool and throughout the property take the edge off of a crisp, clear night. Two pools and a Jacuzzi let you soak up the views, not to mention the heated waters.The luxury hotel provides the ultimate desert experience, with its stables, where you can saddle up for a 90-minute trail ride through the property’s arroyos, or dry creek beds, or sign up for sunrise or sunset rides.
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