By J. Graber
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The renovation of a 50-year-old hotel on Pima Road in Scottsdale has cleared its last administrative hurdle before work can begin.

The Scottsdale Development Review Board unanimously approved the aesthetics for the renovation of the George Hotel, 7300 N. Pima Road, during its Sept. 7 meeting.

Based upon a request from board member Michal Ann Joyner, the developer agreed to put in 36-inch box trees along the front of the hotel on Pima Road instead of 24-inch box trees. They also agreed to improve the pedestrian crossing between the lobby and the sidewalk on Pima Road.
The developer will use earth tone colors on the outside of the hotel as part of the renovation process.

“I think the project is lovely and I was informed you had a very nice outreach to the condo owners (north of the site) and they were very receptive to your plan,” Joyner told John McColgin, a senior planner for FORS architecture and interiors, the architectural firm in charge of the renovations.

The hotel has been doing business since the ‘60s as a Days Inn and new owner Andre Golnazarian wants to update the facility to make it a luxury hotel with a focus on health and wellness. In keeping with that theme, the hotel will offer amenities like bikes for guests as well as a new gym and cafe.

Golnazarian plans to demolish one of the buildings on the 4.74-acre lot and put in a new building that would house 50 rooms. The building will step back from two stories to three away from homes near the site. He also plans to keep an existing building with 34 rooms, so the total number of keys would be 85. Additionally, a second pool will be added to the property.

The city council unanimously signed off on the redevelopment plan during its Aug. 22 meeting.

Golnazarian’s company will also repave nearby streets, curbs and sidewalks as well as add lighting. It will also renovate and maintain a public park just west of the hotel and provide security to circulate the facility.

Golnazarian’s company is putting $20 million, including the purchase price of the property, into the renovation.
Golnazarian hopes to have the renovations complete within a year to 15 months.

J. Graber can be reached at jgraber@iniusa.org. We invite our readers to submit their civil comments pro or con on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.