A new project is being planned for the east grounds of the already-impressive La Posada hotel on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz.
According to an entry today on the hotel’s Facebook page:
For the last few months Allan Affeldt and his staff have been working on the development of a project that will transform the eastern portion of the La Posada grounds. It’s a complicated project involving the donation and creation of a Sky Space designed by internationally recognized artist James Turrell, the application for a TE (Transportation Enhancement) Grant, the rehabilitation of Mary Colter’s Train Station into a museum/exhibition space, the transformation of acres of desert into sustainable gardens and the formation of The Winslow Art Trust which includes 28,000 square feet of exhibition space in four seperate buildings. These images document the design process for this project.
Here is a photo of the current depot grounds, the only part of the complex that hasn’t been extensively renovated:
Here is an artist’s rendering of what’s planned:
Affeldt also said in an e-mail that the hotel’s last seven guest rooms are being built in the complex’s northeast second floor, and should be open by fall. La Posada also soon will open a 3,000-square-foot gallery connecting the tower with the east wing on the second floor.
If it seems ambitious, one should remember that La Posada is at over 90 percent occupancy — and is full night after night during the summer months. People have fallen for this marvelously restored former Harvey House and its Turquoise Room restaurant in a big way.
Affleldt also said that another project involving a long-dormant Harvey House — El Garces in Needles, Calif. — will resume construction in the fall after a construction manager is hired. This $5 million phase, he said, will involve work on the infrastructure, exterior and all public spaces.
(Images courtesy of La Posada)