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Cathedral Development Group announces the grand re-opening of the Historic Westward Ho Apartments in downtown Phoenix. The apartments have been renovated with enhanced energy and water efficiency features, new cabinets, floors, fixtures and much more, with over a $17 million investment.
The building, an iconic building in the Phoenix Metro Area since 1928, provides homes to roughly 289 residents for the elderly and disabled after previously being converted by a Cathedral Development Group affiliate from a luxury hotel in 1978. The re-opening will be commemorated with a special event taking place on April 19 at 10 a.m. which will bring together influential community members, state and federal representatives and current residents of the property.
Additional improvements to the property include, but are not limited to, new windows, lightning protection, the restoration of the historic courtyard fountain and renovating the first floor commercial space. Arizona State University will occupy the newly renovated first floor of the property for academic purposes and will provide residents with essential social and health services.
Renovations were implemented to not only benefit the residents of the property, but the community at large, by revitalizing a historic landmark while paying homage to its rich heritage. The project emphasizes the power of public/private partnerships that leverage federal, state and local financing sources in order to serve the community and, in this case, continue to provide critical affordable housing in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
Photo by Leslie Criger.
“With the grand re-opening of the Historic Westward Ho Apartments, we’re celebrating the rich and vibrant history of this downtown Phoenix landmark, while reinforcing the building’s relevance as an important community asset. It truly is a great Real Estate story of repurposing an iconic building and then over the past 35 plus years activating all areas of the building – the commercial space was redone this time and the historic Thunderbird Room was converted to apartments the last time we rehabilitated the project,” said Jonathan Bentz, Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for Cathedral Development Group. “Through the recent renovations at the property, our partnership with ASU and the hard work and dedication of all involved, we’ve managed to rejuvenate an important piece of Arizona’s history in a way that will continue to benefit the local community for years to come.”
Westward Ho is a historic landmark that has hosted many notable guests during its years as a hotel, including President John F. Kennedy, President Ronald Reagan, and entertainment professionals, Jackie Gleason, Paul Newman, Roy Rogers, Shirley Temple, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner and Clark Gable, among many others. The project came about because of a $44 million multifaceted refinancing venture launched by Rhode Island-based Cathedral Development Group. The recent renovations aim to not only maintain the building’s legacy as an iconic fixture on the downtown Phoenix skyline, but a relevant community resource.
