GCU Restaurant & Hotel Lobby

Client

Grand Canyon University

Location

Phoenix, Arizona

Typology

Restaurant & Hotel Lobby

Capacity

205 Seats

GCU worked with the City of Phoenix and local organizations to revitalize the Phoenix neighborhoods surrounding the campus, a gateway to the GCU campus. With GCU’s purchase and renovation of a nearby hotel, The Grand Canyon University Hotel is both student-led and employed, giving students real-life experience while working towards their degrees. Todd & Associates provided professional architectural services for the addition of a new hotel lobby and restaurant.

The new one-story building, adjacent to the existing hotel, features a 12,717 SF lobby and restaurant named Canyon Grill 49. With a grand porte-cochere at the main entrance, the 2-story volume space has a multi-purpose lobby that combines the hotel check-in, restaurant, and several social lounge areas. The 205-seat restaurant includes a coffee bar and a private dining/meeting room. Outdoor entertaining takes place on the 5,963 SF patio. The design focused on the core being a turf gaming area with several lounge areas, a fire table, and a dining space surrounding it. A pool, spa, and cabanas are also available for guests to enjoy.

Photo credit: Grand Canyon University Hotel & Canyon 49, photography Patrick Darby

College & University

Selecting a college or university usually comes down to location and academic programs. However, an increasing number of students and their families are looking for the quality, type, and standard of living offered by student housing communities as one of the deciding factors. Secure and well-maintained housing facilities support the recruiting process and greatly assist universities in attracting and retaining highly qualified students. From years of planning and designing college and university facilities (both public and private), we believe that all spaces should be created with the end user in mind, especially when designing learning environments. Human-centered design focuses on people and how they will use the space, for growth and development, social interaction and living and learning. These should be spaces of inspiration, to supply students with the tools they need to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. At Todd & Associates, we are continually looking for innovative ways to improve the design of student housing communities. By exploring new ideas and processes, such as the multi-phased process of the 21st Century Project of ACUHO (Association of College and University Housing Officials), we are ensuring that these communities better reflect the ever-changing roles their residences play in the collegiate experience.

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