US companies Opwest Partners and Iridius Capital are collaborating to turn part of an iconic skyscraper in Tucson, Arizona, into the city’s first soft-branded lifestyle hotel.

The project partners are converting the first nine floors of the One South Church building into The Leo Kent, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, while the upper floors of the tower have been upgraded and will continue to function as office space.

Casual business

Scheduled to open in January 2023, the hotel will feature 145 rooms, a fitness centre and function hall, the St. Cruz – a casual dining restaurant that offers to-go options, along with an elevated bar and lounge.

Guestrooms will feature local influences paired with modern conveniences such as high-speed wi-fi and ample workspace. Further business amenities will include flexible meeting rooms with over 1,500 sq ft of space.

Downtown centre

Tyler Kent, founder and managing principal of developer Opwest Partners, commented: “One South Church is truly a mixed-use project, consisting of a boutique hotel with a restaurant, office space and the adjacent residential apartments within the same campus.

“As the tallest and most recognisable structure in Tucson, we want this building to be a centre of gravity for downtown. The Leo Kent will be a place where you can stay, relax, play and escape the daily grind, with a fun yet sophisticated vibe. The area has an undeniable energy and our goal is to create a new lifestyle destination for downtown Tucson that doesn’t currently exist in the market.”

Long term boost

He continued: “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support from the Rio Nuevo District Board and the City of Tucson. We are excited to bring this vision to life, to execute a project that will generate significant long-term economic impact for the City of Tucson.”

Tucson mayor Regina Romero added: “The Leo Kent, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, represents another major investment in downtown Tucson’s infrastructure. The opening of the Leo Kent means new jobs, an increase in hotel capacity, and the potential for a greater economic impact across our restaurant, retail, and entertainment sectors. Hospitality and leisure jobs have already returned to pre-pandemic levels, and this is great news as we prepare for 2023.”

Related Articles