Omni hotels & resorts and usa place llc announce plans to build hotel at usa place in downtown tempe
Omni Will Serve as On-Site Hotel for USA Place, New Home to USA Basketball’s National Headquarters
IRVING, Texas (July 31, 2013) – Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced it has entered into a development agreement with USA Place, LLC, to develop a new hotel in downtown Tempe, Ariz. This luxurious Omni property will be one of the cornerstones to USA Place, a robust, concentrated commercial and residential urban district. The multi-use development will soon be home to USA Basketball’s national headquarters, Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) events, a 4,500-seat multipurpose events center, 500 luxury apartments, 160,000 square feet of retail and up to 200,000 square feet of office space.
The principals of USA Place, LLC, include Susan Eastridge, CEO of Concord Eastridge; Michael Hallmark, principal of Future Cities; and Robert Harris, CEO of Harris Sports & Entertainment.
Located along downtown Tempe’s historic and thriving Mill Avenue, at the intersection of University Drive, well-served by the region’s Metro light rail and adjacent to Arizona State University, the multi-story hotel will feature 330 luxury guestrooms, and 30,000 square feet of conference center and ballroom space that can seat more than 1,000 guests for catered events.
As an integral part of USA Place, the new Omni Tempe Hotel will serve both group and leisure business, and will be the on-site hotel for the many events and activities expected at the various venues. From the grand and junior ballrooms to the ten meeting rooms and dual boardrooms, Omni Tempe will be capable of addressing any meeting and banquet needs. Guests will also benefit from the adjacent residential and retail including several small restaurants and bar establishments, allowing multiple choices for food, beverage and entertainment without leaving the complex.
“USA Place promises to be one of the most dynamic commercial and residential urban spaces in the U.S., and we are thrilled to add the Omni Hotels & Resorts flag to such a vibrant project,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Clearly, USA Place will be a hub of year-long activity for sports, business, tourism and local commerce. We are eager to design and build an Omni that will provide luxury accommodations and great customer service and serve as a center of activity on its own.”
In keeping with the Omni’s focus on creating exceptional local experiences for its guests, the new hotel will reflect Tempe’s famous Southwestern hospitality, captivating desert and mountain landscapes and national parks, Native American heritage and some of North America’s oldest documented food traditions. The hotel is expected to feature a three-meal restaurant, bars, inside and outdoor lounges, retail space, a pool and fitness center and an ambience appealing to guests and locals alike.
“Its name connected with excellence, Omni brings a rich tradition to USA Place of providing high-quality experiences for business and leisure travelers,” said Susan Eastridge, CEO of Concord Eastridge. “Omni is a first-class strategic partner for USA Place that will help the urban site propel forward as one of the premier mixed-use developments in the Southwest.”
The site’s other major anchor will be USA Basketball, which is under an agreement with the developers to relocate their national headquarters and training center to USA Place. The multi-court Events Center will serve as a training site for USA Basketball in summer months and for regional youth and adult recreational and competitive athletics programming the rest of the year.
In addition to USA Basketball’s relocation, the AIA will host programming at the event center, which will include post season state high school tournaments for boys and girls basketball, volleyball, wrestling, badminton and spiritline to take place at the event center. High schools will also have an opportunity to participate in regular season “Games-of-the-Week” there. AIA is the primary governing body for high school athletics in Arizona.
In addition, the column-free flat floor area of the events center will create additional space for the Omni to stage occasional exhibitions, banquets and presentations that may be larger than its 30,000 square foot conference center.
Construction of the project is planned to begin by year-end with the hotel, conference center, event center and first phase of residential and retail scheduled to open during the second half of 2015.
ABOUT OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on “A Total Departure” to 60 distinct upscale hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.