Downtown Tucsonโs first new hotel in more than 30 years is nearing completion of its vertical construction โ eight stories โ and the public is invited to a โtopping-outโ party.
The event is being thrown by developers of the $32 million AC Hotel Tucson by Marriott, which has been rising on Broadway at Fifth Avenue since construction broke ground last December.
The topping-out will also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the hotelโs amenities and interior and exterior design, including elements contributing to its LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, says a news release from the developers, Scott Stiteler, Rudy Dabdoub and Paul Chellgren.
The block party will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 5 at Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St., and Connect Coworkingโs patio, 33 S. Fifth Ave. There will be live music by Hey, Bucko, Shrimp Chaperone and others; food trucks; a cash bar; photo booths; and free Hub ice cream. A portion of food and drink proceeds will be donated to Sister Jose Womenโs Center, a downtown nonprofit that cares for homeless women.
The hotel, being built by Lloyd Construction Co., is on schedule to welcome its first guests in summer of 2017. It will include 136 hotel rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, fitness center, 1,500 square feet of meeting space, dining, a lobby bar, and 4,800 square feet of street level retail space.
The building permit issued by the city says the hotel will cost $20 million to build and the total project cost is $32 million.
The city and the Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment district provided incentives for the project, including $6.7 million in city tax breaks over eight years, an $8 million city loan, and an agreement for Rio Nuevo to buy (and recoup revenue from) its $4.3 million parking garage. The hotel is expected to generate $17.9 million in revenue over the eight-year period, officials have said.
