The Moxy Phoenix Downtown at the Luhrs Building embodies urban renewal development at its best. It represents a significant investment in placemaking, leveraging an existing property to bring new vitality, commerce, and beauty to a previously blank spot in the downtown fabric. The iconic building was prime for renewal because of its location, across Jefferson from CityScape and one block West of the Footprint Arena. PEG Development and FFKR Architects took a nearly hundred-year-old asset that had previously served a variety of uses, most recently as county attorney’s offices, and breathed new life through extensive adaptive reuse. The effort to carefully thread new guestroom plumbing, mechanical, and electrical throughout the 11-story concrete structure while maintaining systems shared with the existing street-front bar, penthouse office tenants, and the larger block was a painstaking effort orchestrated by Okland Construction and their subcontractor teams.
Historic Tax Credits
The Moxy is a Qualified Opportunity Zone project and benefits from historic tax credits, which have been submitted for a Part 4 application to the National Parks Service and AZ-SHPO. The rich brick and pre-cast exterior was preserved and enhanced.
Bar Check-in
In place of the ubiquitous reception desk, guests are greeted by a bartender who provides them with room keys, complimentary beverages, and concierge services. Flick Mars, the interior designer, has crafted several Moxy’s interiors across the United States.
Hip, Edgy, and Modern
The Moxy brand by Marriott seeks a hip, edgy, modern experience with a unique social vibe. While relatively inexpensive on the Marriott scale of brands, it appeals to a younger generation that wants to stay at unique properties and belong to the cities they serve. This project’s playful theme and vibrant colors reflect Phoenix’s culture and natural beauty.
Featured Local Artists
Amenities include a full bar, market, meeting room, business center, lobby lockers, stash closets on each floor, fitness room, record player with vinyl collection, mezzanine reading room, and foosball table. The custom lobby art features its best and brightest on a two-wall Phoenix-themed mural by a local artist.
Preserving Elements
Several historic interior elements —such as staircases, octagonal columns, original mail chute, and the double-height clearstory lobby— were preserved and enhanced through the architectural and interior design.
Views from Rooms
The real highlight of the guestroom spaces is the view of the Sports District and Jefferson and Central Avenues.
Retro and Efficient
Guestrooms are efficient but smart, providing leisure travelers with comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, and little wasted space—custom artwork, colorful bedding, retro phones, and fluted glass doors round out the rooms.
Convenience
The minimal guestroom bathrooms provide all the necessities for a modern traveler.