Here's what's coming to metro Phoenix's new billion-dollar resort: Concert venue, lagoon, 12 restaurants
VAI Resort, which will be the largest resort in the state when construction is done, plans to host about 100 concerts a year at its $40 million “entertainment epicenter,” the company announced as it revealed new renderings of the $1 billion project, which is under construction in Glendale.
Construction on the project is expected to be done in late 2023. The development is south of State Farm Stadium between Loop 101 and 95th Avenue.
In total, the development is planned to have 1,200 hotel rooms and suites, and possibly a residential component that could include timeshares or condominiums, Grant Fisher, president of VAI Global Development, said.
Hotel with concert views underway
The project recently reached a construction milestone called “topping out,” or placing the last structural beam, for the hotel portion that will face the concert stage, Fisher said.
The hotel will feature 160 rooms with balconies that face the concert venue, so guests can view a concert directly from their room. The hotel will also have a steakhouse on the eighth floor, which will have views of the venue and an “entertainment flair,” Fisher said.
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The concert venue also will have VIP skyboxes and a deck surrounding the stage, creating space for about 8,000 attendees.
VAI is working on “some really big partnerships” for shows at the venue but has not announced any performances yet.
The project is influenced by vacation destinations around the world, like Tulum, Mykonos and Miami. The development is named after Vai Beach in Greece.
Swimming lagoon will include island
The resort will be anchored by a 6-acre swimming lagoon, which will feature temperature-controlled white sand beaches that can be used year-round.
The entire project, including the lagoon, will use about 50 million gallons of water, Fisher said. The company is still measuring the exact amount that the lagoon will use based on depths of the pool, he said.
Originally, the lagoon was expected to require about 19 million gallons to fill, but the plans have been altered and the pool is now expected to be smaller than originally proposed. According to city documents, the pool will require 30 times less water than a golf course of the same size.
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The water in the lagoon will be filtered every seven hours to keep the water clean, Fisher said. The water will be chlorinated but will also be able to be filtered and recycled to water the landscaping when it is no longer able to be used in the lagoon. VAI is working with the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the city on a water conservation plan.
The site will use about one-third of the allotted water designated for the site, which was formerly agricultural, the company said.
In the center of the lagoon will be a 52,000-square-foot island, called Konos, which will have a Mediterranean restaurant, private cabanas and an aerial bar, which can hold 16 people and is 130 feet high.
Three hotel concepts planned
In addition to the “music hotel,” which will feature views of the concert space, the company is planning a high-end hotel tower and a family-friendly hotel tower.
Another building that could have more hotel rooms or a residential option like timeshares or condos is also in the works, but Fisher said the company is still in the planning stages for that portion of the project and has not decided what the format will be.
In talks with celebrity chefs
The resort development is planned to have 12 restaurants, seven of which will be operated by VAI. The company is in talks with celebrity chefs and other concepts that would be new to the Phoenix market for the remaining five, but are still in negotiations for those spaces, he said.
The development also will include 10 bars and lounges and a high-end shopping corridor.
The Mattel Adventure Park is also beginning construction on the site, Fisher said. The theme park will have a Hot Wheels roller coaster, Thomas the Tank Engine indoor theme park, Barbie beach house, Masters of the Universe laser tag, UNO cards climbing structure, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots-themed putt-putt and other attractions. The roller coaster will begin construction soon, Fisher said.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: VAI Resort in Glendale to include concert venue, lagoon, 12 restaurants
