The Arizona Biltmore Hotel

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is a resort located in Phoenix near 24th Street and Camelback Road. Noted for its distinct architecture and luxurious amenities, the Arizona Biltmore has long been among the most luxurious in the Phoenix region and recently joined the Hilton Hotels' luxury collection, The Waldorf-Astoria Collection. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 1. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Hilton Hotels Corporation headquarters in Beverly Hills Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) is one of the leading global hospitality companies. ... The Waldorf-Astoria Collection is a luxury collection of Hilton Hotels premiere, most luxurious and most identifiable boutique hotels and resorts. ...

Following the luxury of this famed hotel, the surrounding commercial and residential neighborhood has become known as the prestigious Biltmore area of Phoenix, Arizona. This region has become nationally and internationally renowned for its luxury and real estate. The area is now among the prime real estate of the Phoenix area with many businesses and shops hoping to boom here. This area is home to Phoenix's Ritz-Carlton hotel; the Biltmore Fashion Park shopping center, which includes many high-end tenants including Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Cartier, and Escada; and many highly-acclaimed eateries. This area is also a booming mecca for real estate with median home values a $1.1 million with many exceeding $10-12 million. Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Ritz-Carlton is a brand of luxury hotel and resort with 63 properties that are located in major cities and exclusive resort destinations of 21 countries worldwide. ... Biltmore Fashion Park is a large outdoor shopping center located in Phoenix, Arizona, a few miles west of Scottsdale Fashion Square. ... This article contains a trivia section. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... hello ... Escada is a leading luxury retail brand worldwide, famed for their perfumes, fragrances, and clothing. ...

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.^[1] The Phoenix Points of Pride are 30 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona city limits that represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors. ...

History

Lobby of the Arizona Biltmore

Warren McArthur, Jr., and brother Charles McArthur along with John McEntee Bowman, the entrepreneur behind the Biltmore Hotel chain, opened the Arizona Biltmore Hotel on February 23, 1929. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2048 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2048 pixel, file size: 2. ... John McEntee Bowman (1875-1931) was an Canadian-born businessman and an American hotelier and horseman who was the founding president of Bowman-Biltmore Hotels Corp. ... The Biltmore Hotel was the name of hotels in a chain developed by hotel magnate John McEntee Bowman. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Arizona Biltmore's architect of record is Albert Chase McArthur, yet its authorship is often mistakenly attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright, owing to Wright's on-site consulting for four months in 1928 relating to the masonry unit "Textile Block" construction. Some visitors say the hotel has the look and feel of a Wright building, especially in the main lobby, likely owing to a strong imprint of the unit block design that Wright had utilized on four residential buildings in the Los Angeles area some 6 years earlier. McArthur is indisputably the architect as original linen drawings of the hotel in the Arizona State University Library archives attest, as does the 1929 feature article in Architectural Record magazine. The two architects are a study in contrast with the famous and outspoken Wright being self taught and never licensed as an architect in Arizona. The more soft spoken McArthur was Harvard trained in architecture, mathematics, engineering, and music. McArthur obtained an architect's license in Arizona, number 338, in 1925, the year he arrived in Phoenix to begin his practice. Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was one of the worlds most prominent and influential architects. ... Architectural Record is an American monthly magazine dedicated to architecture and interior design, published by McGraw-Hill Construction in New York City. ...

Adding to the confusion, in recent years, FLW influences have been added to the property such as a stained glass window design entitled "Sahuaros" that Wright had designed as a magazine cover for Liberty Magazine in 1926 and was fabricated by Taliesin students and installed during the 1973 hotel renovations and restoration. Reproductions of the geometric 'sprite' statues originally designed by sculptor Alfonzo Iannelli for Wright's 1915 Midway Gardens project in Chicago are placed around the property. Also, the original hotel solarium of 1929 was converted to a restaurant in 1973 and since the mid-1990's has been named 'Wright's'.

Authorship of the hotel's design is not a new dispute. Wright has variously condemned McArthur's use of the block system [Wright wanted square blocks as opposed to McArthur's mathematically proportioned rectangle block that was used] and publicly claimed credit for the building's design. Wright issued a carefully-worded letter in 1930 that was published in The Architectural Record (quoted in Brendan Gill's "Many Masks"): Gill wrote for The New Yorker for more than 60 years. ...

All I have done in connection with the building of the Arizona Biltmore, near Phoenix, I have done for Albert McArthur himself at his sole request, and for none other. Albert McArthur is the architect of that building -- all attempts to take the credit for that performance from him are gratuitous and beside the mark. But for him, Phoenix would have had nothing like the Biltmore, and it is my hope that he may be enabled to give Phoenix many more beautiful buildings as I believe him entirely capable of doing.

In 1930, the McArthurs lost control of the property to one of their primary investors, William Wrigley Jr., who became full owner. In 1940, the Catalina pool and the Cowboy Bunkhouse areas opened; these would become favorite areas of Hollywood celebrities. Marilyn Monroe was seen around the pool area, and Martha Raye was photographed playing chess on a large chessboard around the Cowboy house. Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... On the cover of Time in 1929 William Wrigley Jr. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), was a Golden Globe Award-winning American actress, singer, model and pop icon. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1962, the hotel's first air conditioners were put into service, and in 1969, their grand ballroom, designed by Flatow, Moore & Bryan Architects, was inaugurated. Year 1965 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ...

In 1970, the Wrigley family sold the hotel to the Talley family. 1973 almost spelled doom for the hotel; a large fire erupted on June 21, destroying interiors of large parts of the 3rd and 4th floors and tremendous water damage on the 2nd and ground floors. It was announced immediately by the new owners that this famed hotel would be rebuilt in 90 days and opened on schedule for its regular winter season the last week of September 1973. The prompt re-building, including new custom designed carpets throughout the hotel, new furniture for guest rooms and public areas, new restaurant kitchen equipment, and wonderfully renovated public interiors throughout the hotel is now legendary in Phoenix construction history. Three separate crews were employed around the clock. In the wee hours before opening day, the final carpets were laid and a miraculous deadline had been met by a great partnership of the owner, Talley Industries, the general contractor, J.R. Porter Construction Co., and the architect, Taliesin Associated Architects. Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1979, the hotel was taken over by the Rostland Corporation. In 1983, it became a Leper DBL Biltmore Association property, and in 1992 it was re-sold, to the Grossman Properties. A spa was opened in 1998. Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

In December 2000, Boca Resorts, Inc. sold the hotel for $335 Million to KSL Recreation, Inc. KSL retained the hotel until April of 2004, when it was sold to the Orlando, Florida-based REIT, CNL Hotels & Resorts as part of the corporate acquisition of six of KSL's seven resort assets. CNL continues to own the storied landmark and Hilton operates it as a member of the Waldorf=Astoria Collection. Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ...

In 2004, while doing a campaign stop in Arizona, United States president George W. Bush slept there, under strict security measures. Over 200 policemen, Secret Service agents and bomb sniffing dogs were at hand. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Because of both the secrecy of secret services and the controversial nature of the issues involved, there is some difficulty in separating the definitions of secret service, secret police, intelligence agency etc. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. ...

Celebrities

Many celebrities stayed at the Biltmore during the hotel's existence. Apart from every American President since the hotel began to operate, others include: For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ...

• Fred Astaire
• Joan Bennett
• Irving Berlin
• Samantha Brown
• James Cagney
• Hollywood studio executive Harry Cohn, who died here
• Walter Cronkite
• Bing Crosby
• Michael J. Fox
• Vicente Fox
• Ava Gardner
• Barry Goldwater
• Tony Hawk
• Evander Holyfield
• Bob Hope
• Reba McEntire
• The New York Mets baseball team
• Marilyn Monroe
• Martha Raye
• Edward G. Robinson
• Spencer Tracy

The nearby Wrigley Mansion was built in 1931 and now operates as a private club with meeting facilities. The hotel also has an exclusive home area named Biltmore Estates, where celebrities such as Glen Campbell and others make their homes. Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987), born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska,[1] was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. ... Joan Bennett on the December, 1945 issue of Movie Story Magazine Joan Geraldine Bennett (February 27, 1910 – December 7, 1990) was an American film actress who also achieved success later in life as a television actress. ... Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was an American composer and lyricist, one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history. ... Samantha Elizabeth Brown is a TV host of several travel programs on the Travel Channel, including Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Hotels, and Passport to Europe. ... James Francis Cagney, Jr. ... Harry Cohn (July 23, 1891–February 27, 1958), sometimes nicknamed King Cohn, was president and production director of Columbia Pictures. ... Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... For other persons named Michael Fox, see Michael Fox (disambiguation). ... Vicente Fox Quesada (born July 2, 1942) was the President of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Barry Morris Goldwater (January 1, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–87) and the Republican Partys nominee for president in the 1964 election. ... Tony Hawk and Lhotse Merriam This article is about the American skateboarder. ... Evander Holyfield (born October 19, 1962 in Atmore, Alabama) is a professional boxer from the United States and a multiple-time world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. ... Bob Hope, KBE (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), born Leslie Townes Hope, was an English-Born American entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio and television, in movies, and in performing tours for U.S. Military personnel, well known for his good natured humor and career longevity. ... Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and one of the best-selling country music performers of all time. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league... Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), was a Golden Globe Award-winning American actress, singer, model and pop icon. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Edward Goldenberg Robinson (born Emanuel Goldenberg, Yiddish: עמנואל גולדנברג; December 12, 1893 – January 26, 1973) was an American stage and film actor of Romanian origin. ... Spencer Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was a two-time Academy Award-winning American film and stage actor who appeared in 74 films from 1930 to 1967. ... The Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, Arizona is a landmark residence built between 1929 and 1931 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. ... For the Scottish broadcaster, see Glenn Campbell (broadcaster). ...

References

1. ^ Phoenix Points of Pride. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.

External links

• AzBiltmore.com - Neighborhood Portal
• Arizona Biltmore
• page by Wright scholar William Allin Storrer
• history of the Midway Gardens sprites

• Maps and aerial photos for 33°31′25″N 112°01′23″W / 33.5235, -112.0230Coordinates: 33°31′25″N 112°01′23″W / 33.5235, -112.0230
• Satellite image from WikiMapia or Google Maps
• Mapping from Multimap or GlobalGuide