Arizona Attractions
August 08, 2006
Greater Phoenix and Central Arizona
Heard Museum North relocates, opens in North Scottsdale
On June 30, 2007, Heard Museum North Scottsdale officially opened at its new location in north Scottsdale. With two exhibition galleries, an expanded gift shop and a garden café, Heard Museum North Scottsdale offers an enhanced cultural experience. The new location enables the museum to display more of its permanent collection, expand retail offerings and add a café. Additions and enhancements include:
- Two Exhibition Galleries – The two galleries include one long-term and one changing exhibit.
- Interpretive Garden – Developed in cooperation with the Desert Botanical Garden, the Interpretive Garden displays a lush array of native plants, a water feature, sculptures by American Indian artists as well as information to assist in education and interpretation.
- Arcadia Farms at the Heard Museum North Café – Arcadia Farms’ second culinary collaboration with the Heard Museum offers a distinctive new menu featuring Southwest entrees that represent indigenous influences from Arizona, California and Nevada.
- Heard Museum North Shop – The expanded Heard Museum North Shop presents the finest authentic American Indian art, particularly highlighting jewelry and textiles.
Tempe Marketplace to Welcome Shoppers and Entertainment Lovers in 2007
Tempe, Ariz. is home to Tempe Marketplace, a $270 million retail project. At the grand opening in September 2007, Tempe Marketplace will hold 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Tempe Marketplace will be the largest center of its kind in the U.S. Tempe Marketplace will house more than 120 of the nation’s finest restaurants, retail stores, lifestyle shops and attractions.
Visitors will find a state-of-the-art Harkins movie theatre, a Dave & Buster’s, King’s Fish House, Center Court Restaurant, Target, Gap, Old Navy and many more. The project is designed as a gathering place, with outdoor fireplaces, raised dining patios, water fountains, a 300-seat amphitheatre, LED Video Walls, interactive kiosks, and incorporated lights and lasers.
For general information, visit www.tempemarketplace.com. For media information only, contact Toni Smith at toni@tempecvb.com or 480-894-8158.
Phoenix Art Museum Unveils $41 Million Expansion
The Ellen and Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art is one of the signature developments in the Phoenix Art Museum’s landmark $41.2 million expansion, which was unveiled in November 2006. The gallery added more than 25,000 square feet of space for art and provides visitors with the opportunity to see more of the museum’s noteworthy collection, which predominantly includes works of modern and contemporary art, Latin American art, and fashion design.
The addition also includes new exhibition spaces that allow the museum to consider a wider variety of showcases to bring to Arizona. Other components of the expansion project include an impressive new lobby and entry plaza, a sculpture garden, and growth of The Museum Store and the museum’s endowment.
For more information, visit www.phxart.org or call (602) 257-1880. For media information only, contact Cathy Arnold at cathy.arnold@phxart.org or (602) 257-2105.
Scottsdale Fashion Square Announces the Addition of Barney’s New York, Bottega Veneta
The luxury tide continues to rise in Greater Phoenix with the recent announcement that luxury department store Barney’s New York and ultra-chic retailer Bottega Veneta are opening stores at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Both high-end names are new to the Arizona marketplace. One of only a handful of its flagship stores, Barneys at Scottsdale Fashion Square ups the ante for luxury shopping along what shoppers know as Phoenix’s four-mile luxury corridor. Barneys, the hip and fashionable Manhattan specialty department store, will bring its celebrated designer collections to the center in 2009.
The 65,000-square-foot, two-story store will anchor a redevelopment project on the east end of Scottsdale Fashion Square, partially taking over the location of the former Robinsons-May building. Some 25-30 additional retailers – with several expected to be first-to-market luxury entrants – will join Barneys in a two-story extension. Bottega Veneta, known for its luxury leather handbags and accessories, will open a 2,100-square-foot store in the center’s Neiman Marcus wing in Spring 2008.
For general information, visit www.westcor.com. For media information only, contact Kate Cavaliere at kate.cavaliere@westcor.com or 480-994-8048.
The FOODBAR Set to Open in May, First of Seven Restaurants at SouthBridge
SouthBridge, a three-acre retail, dining, and cultural center, opened its first restaurant in May. The project is located along the south bank of Scottsdale’s downtown canal and will feature more than 30,000 square feet of retail space and seven restaurants, all unique in design and concept. The first restaurant to open was THE FOODBAR, a European-style café that provides simple, fresh and organic culinary offerings. Grab-and-go salads, soups, sandwiches, fresh wild-caught seafood and daily specials are available at the restaurant or to go. Other tantalizing treats include homemade granola with seasonal fresh fruit, packaged nut mixes, fruit compotes, muffins, breads, and tartines as well as a fresh juice bar, coffee and espresso, imported chocolates, fine wines, and beer.
For more information on SouthBridge, visit www.southbridgescottsdale.com. For media information only, contact Debi Bridges at db@bridgesmediagroup.com or (602) 381-7771.
Phoenix Art Museum and Center for Creative Photography announce landmarkcollaboration and $1 million endowment
Phoenix Art Museum and the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona haveannounced a highly innovative and unprecedented collaboration. It establishes a vibrant new photography exhibition program at Phoenix Art Museum, while bringing the Center’s world-renowned collections to new and larger audiences. Through a $1 million endowment established at Phoenix Art Museum by John R. Norton, a University of Arizona alumnus and photography enthusiast, the Museum will fund a curatorial position at the Center in Tucson.
With access to the Center’s collections and archives of many of the most important photographers to work in the medium, Phoenix Art Museum and the Center for Creative Photography will present at least three photography exhibitions per year in the Museum’s new 2,500-square-foot Doris and John Norton Gallery on the second level of the new gallery wing constructed as part of the Museum’s $41.2 million expansion.
For more information, go to www.phxart.org. For media information only, contact Cathy Arnold at 602-257-2105, cathy.arnold@phxart.org.
Scottsdale Waterfront and Southbridge revitalize ancient Indian canal system
This urban development along the south bank of Scottsdale’s ancient irrigation canal system is Scottsdale’s newest urban district set to rival the likes of Riverwalk, The French Quarter, and SoHo. The future borough is the long-time vision of developer Fred Unger to build a one-of-a-kind community that brings together elite, high-fashion boutiques, independent shops, celebrated cuisine, dynamic cultural festivals, and art. The SouthBridge retail component will feature The Mix, a three-building “food and fashion fusion” consisting of chic eateries, trend-setting shops and eclectic boutiques by retailer Jennifer Croll. Notably absent from SouthBridge will be any national chain stores, upholding the independent spirit of the district.
The Mix’s three buildings, comprising more than 30,000 square feet of retail space, will be individually themed with titles like Nest, Live, and Play. Fashion shows and live modeling will fill The Mix with unique energy, while exclusive shopping rooms and private events will add to the upscale environment. SouthBridge’s seven planned restaurants boast exciting repertoires and recognizable names like restaurateur Peter Kasperski, who plans to open a Mexican inspired restaurant called Mexican Standoff as well as Digestif, an Italian eatery specializing in rustic countryside cuisine.
For more information, visit www.southbridgescottsdale.com. For media information only, contact Debora Bridges at db@bridgesmediagroup.com or 602-381-7771.
Blend, Barrel And Buy Your Own Custom-Designed Wine At Su Vino Winery
In addition to new hotels, restaurants and nightlife hot spots, downtown Scottsdale now boasts the city’s first and only winery. Su Vino Winery, a new, full-service, state-of-the-art custom winemaking establishment, opened its doors in the Main Street Arts District in February 2007. Customers are greeted by highly trained staff who guide them through the winemaking process. In addition to sampling various types of wine, guests learn about the characteristics of each wine.
Wines are then blended and bottled to each guest’s desire. Su Vino opened its first custom winery location in Grapevine, Texas. Known for always seeking the finest grape harvests from select vineyards throughout the world, Su Vino is set to offer that same experience in crafting quality wines in Scottsdale. Proven techniques in fermentation, racking, clarifying, filtration, oak aging and packaging will be provided to produce and assist customers in making superb, premium wines in as little as six weeks.
For more information, visit www.suvinowineryaz.com. For media information only, contact Cory Whalin at whalincr@sbcglobal.net or (480) 246-5566.
Phoenix Convention Center Expansion on Track for Completion in 2008
The $600 million expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center is a cooperative effort between the City of Phoenix and State of Arizona that will nearly triple the size of the current facility and feature approximately 900,000 square feet of rentable space. Phase One, which is the West Conference Center, officially opened on July 15, 2006, delivering 156,000 sq. ft. of conference center-style meeting space. The stone, glass and stucco exterior finishes invite clients into a facility inclusive of more than 62,400 gross sq. ft. of exhibit space and 48,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as a 45,300-sq.-ft. multi-purpose ballroom.
As the new Phase One West Building opened its doors, the North Building was demolished after 34 years of service. A new, four-level facility will be erected at the same site by late 2008, bringing the total square footage of the Convention Center to 900,000 sq. ft. The Phoenix Convention Center expansion will triple the size of the current facility, moving it from the 67th-largest convention center in the U.S. into the top 20, positioning Phoenix as a premier destination for 80 percent of all conventions.
For general information, visit www.ci.phoenix.az.us/CIVPLAZA/plazaidx.html. For media information only, Lisa Honebrink at 602-534-7633 or lisa.honebrink@phoenix.gov.
Grand Canyon West has exciting new options for visitors
Grand Canyon West, located on the Hualapai Tribe’s land, has two new exciting attractions—Grand Canyon Skywalk and Indian Village. The vision of the Skywalk was to enable visitors to walk beyond the canyon walls, becoming surrounded by the Grand Canyon while standing at the edge of the Glass Bridge. Finding a balance between form, function and nature, the bridge gives us a chance to share the wonder of the canyon that the Hualapai Tribe has graciously offered.
The Glass Bridge is suspended more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. The Skywalk will eventually include highlights such as a high-end café and restaurant with outdoor patio and rooftop seating on the edge of the canyon, as well as meeting and wedding facilities. An addition of an authentic Indian Village is now open. The Village consists of five smaller villages depicting not only the Hualapai Tribe, but three other Arizona Tribes and tipis that represent many Plains Indian Tribes.
The dwellings have been constructed authentically by representatives of each Nation and each village will include a wealth of stories and authentic displays. In the center of all the villages is an amphitheater, seating 250 people, which will house daily Native American, primarily Hualapai, presentations and performances.
For more information, go to www.destinationgrandcanyon.com. For media information only, contact Allison Raskansky at allison@destinationgrandcanyon.com.
Lowell Observatory Opens John Vickers McAllister Space Theatre
Starting in Flagstaff this past May, Lowell Observatory visitors are learning and experiencing astronomy from completely new perspectives, thanks to an amazing new multimedia theatre. The John Vickers McAllister Space Theatre debuted at Lowell with the Observatory offering hourly daytime space theatre programs, regular nighttime shows, and special onsite and offsite educational programs for schoolchildren throughout Arizona and the region.
The space theatre is a 24-seat planetarium-like venue tucked inside Lowell Observatory’s exhibit hall. The Observatory is offering 20-minute daytime space theatre shows on the hour starting at 9:30 a.m. with the last show starting at 4:30 p.m. During its regular evening hours, the Observatory complements telescope viewing with five to seven-minute space theatre presentations introducing visitors to what they will be viewing in the night sky that evening.
For more information on the observatory, visit www.lowell.edu. For media information only, contact Steele Wotkyns at steele@lowell.edu or 928- 233-3232.
Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar is Flagstaff's "New Hot Spot"
Flagstaff's Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar has been named one of this year's "best 95 restaurants in the world" by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Brix was the only restaurant in Arizona to receive this distinction and joins the likes of other restaurants from New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Condé Nast Traveler said: “Given the organic inclinations of peaced- out, collegial Flagstaff, it's rather puzzling that a family farm-based eatery took so long to come to town. Since the quiet opening of Brix, however, the area's rafting guides and desert ecologists need look no further for seasonal dishes such as Black Mesa Ranch goat cheese gnocchi or grilled desert sweet shrimp with leek gratin.
For restaurant reservations, call 928-213-1021. For media information only, contact Jessica Stephens with the Flagstaff CVB at jstephens@ci.flagstaff.az.us.
Flagstaff Mall Adds Outdoor Village
Flagstaff Mall is creating northern Arizona’s newest shopping nirvana, The Village at Flagstaff Mall. Occupying nearly 240,000 square feet of “firsts to Northern Arizona” retail, Phase I will open in Fall 2007 while Phase II is projected to open in Fall 2008. Connectivity will be key as new streets and pedestrian pathways crisscross the Village at Flagstaff Mall project and link with major roadways and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System; ultimately making the mall and outdoor village accessible to all modes of transportation. An expanded bike-rack area will be added along with a new hub for the Mountain Line bus system.
For more information, visit www.flagstaffmall.com. For media information only, contact Kate Cavaliere at kate.cavaliere@westcor.com or 480-994-8048.
Explore Navajo Interactive Museum Opens in Tuba City
At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, the “Discover Navajo Pavilion” embraced the world, and now five years later, the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise rejuvenates an accomplishment and influential attraction of the Navajo people. Under a new location in Tuba City and a new name, the prestigious Explore Navajo Interactive Museum is the “Gateway Center” to the Navajo Nation. With a more permanent structure, the museum is over 7,000 square feet and like its original purpose, it exhibits Navajo pottery, rugs, stories of creation, a traditional Navajo Hogan and will educate visitors of the Navajo people.
For more information, visit www.explorenavajo.com. For media information only, contact Donovan Hanley at donovan@explorenavajo.com or 623-412-0297.
Grand Opening of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area
Sonoita Creek State Natural Area recently celebrated its Grand Opening. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish, encompasses nearly 9,000 acres and has been set aside to protect the unique riparian habitat of Sonoita Creek and its watershed. Low impact recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife watching are available along the 20-mile trail system. In addition, the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area visitor center is offering guided bird and natural history hikes, presentations, kids programs and pontoon boat tours.
Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is located near Patagonia Lake State Park at 400 Lake Patagonia Road between the towns of Nogales and Patagonia, off Highway 82.For more information call (520) 287-2791. For media information only, contact Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518 or ebilbrey@pr.state.az.us.
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