Jahna Berry

The Arizona Republic

Apr. 10, 2007 02:42 PM

The skeleton for the Sheraton hotel's 32-story tower is rising fast - it's more than halfway done.

And, as the construction continues near Van Buren and Third streets, the Downtown Phoenix Hotel Corp. is weighing whether to add more meeting space, a city official says.

"We are looking at adding an outdoor function space and executive meeting rooms," said Jerry Harper a project manager with Phoenix's Downtown Development Office. The hotel sits on city property. 

The new spaces would not add to the cost of the $350 million project, he said.

The 1,000-room hotel is a crucial part of Phoenix's effort to lure more tourist dollars. It is scheduled to open in October 2008.

So far, 17 of the 32 stories have a metal framework in place, Harper said.  Over the next few weeks, workers will begin installing windows. Passers-by will also see workers building a curved roof element on the section of the hotel that faces Third and Van Buren streets.

Hotel bookings are brisk already, said Steve Spivak, the director of sales and marketing for the hotel.

In November, nearly 70,000 room nights were reserved.

Since then, Spivak has been reluctant to disclose booking figures, citing competitive concerns. Large events are booked as far as 2012, he said. The hotel is trying to book rooms during lulls in the Valley's tourist season.

"Our focus now is that we are strategically planning business to address the seasonality of Phoenix," Spivak said.

The room rates are to range from $139 a night in the slow months to $500 at peak times.