First look: Glendale resort names new concert stage, unveils rooms
The new luxury resort in Glendale is making good progress and is expected to be completed soon.
As construction continues, VAI Resort has revealed more about its branding and design.
The $1 billion resort, which is currently about 40% complete, sits south of State Farm Stadium on the Loop 101. It will include four hotel towers as well as a shopping area, party island with a nightclub, event venue, and the first Mattel Adventure Park - an indoor theme park.
The focus of attention has been the $40 million concert venue and stage adjacent to the hotel's centerpiece, Muse Tower. This has now been officially branded the VAI Amphitheater.
The concert venue, along with the other 60-acre components, is scheduled to open in 2024. It is expected that it will host about 100 shows per year or twice a week. There are also opportunities for residencies of artists similar to those in Las Vegas. Howard Weiss is the vice president of entertainment at VAI Resort. He believes that this amphitheater will be a benchmark for outdoor live entertainment.
The Phoenix Business Journal visited the construction site May 18 to see the progress made since its last visit in December 2022.
You can view images of a hotel room model, bathroom and resort construction by clicking through the gallery:
Weiss stated in a press release that "we wanted to create a space that captured the essence and spirit of VAI - a place where the music isn't just an afterthought but at the core of the guest's experience." The VAI Amphitheater is the culmination of this vision. It boasts unparalleled acoustics and views, as well as cutting-edge technologies that will create an integrated concert experience.
The Muse Tower Hotel will provide close-up views of the concerts from its rooms with balconies, large skyboxes and sliding-glass-windows.
VAI Global Development expects that the concert area will hold 8,000 people within 100-200 feet of the show. Artists can also use the underground tunnels and elevators to reach the "Rockstar Suite".
The hotel will offer concert ticket packages with the room rate. However, depending on where a guest chooses to stay, hotel rates can range anywhere from $500-$900 per night. The resort will offer day passes for the water features, and the general public can also access the retail, the dining, and the theme park.
The resort has also secured booking partners to help with its venue. Retailers from Miami and Australia have shown interest, but it is too early to announce any tenants.
About 20 people have been hired to date to help develop the project. At full construction, it is expected that nearly 2,000 employees will be employed.