The Lodge on the Desert destined for rebirth in Tucson
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Cushman & Wakefield brokered the sale of the The Lodge on the Desert, which is a 102-room hotel resort property in Tucson.
The landmark property was acquired by a hotel company led by Atira Hotels out of Chicago and represents the buyer’s first acquisition in Arizona, according to a press release.
Bill Murney and Jesse Heydorff with Cushman & Wakefield’s Hospitality team in Phoenix represented the seller, Lodge Partners, LLC in the transaction.
“Set against the Santa Catalina Mountains and near the University of Arizona and University of Arizona Medical Center, the property’s hacienda-style accommodations offered an excellent opportunity for new ownership to capitalize and continue the hotels recovery that has accelerated post pandemic in the sought-after Tucson hotel market,” said Executive Managing Director Bill Murney, in a prepared statement.
“The Lodge has had a great run with current ownership over the past five years, including creating a strategic local following at Cielo’s, the resorts restaurant, during 2021 and into 2022. The property added 67 rooms in 2010 and the new owner has plans to take the resort to the next level.”
Found at 306 N Alvernon Way and situated on about five acres of expansive grounds, The Lodge on the Desert consists of a combination of casitas and deluxe guestrooms and suites that showcase the vintage charm of the historic property, the release states.
The property was first built in 1934 as a residence and was converted to a guest ranch with seven rooms in 1936. The resort was continuously owned by the same family until it sold in 1997. The new owners expanded the hotel by building beautiful deluxe guestrooms, an award-winning restaurant and stunning outdoor space, that has been enhanced by the seller over the past five years of his ownership.
