THE ARIZONA BILTMORE

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel became known as Jewel of the Desert when it opened in 1929 with pomp and ceremony, and still holds this title 45 years later, even though her peaceful domain, once eight miles from the center of town in tranquil desert, is now three miles inside a burgeoning city of Phoenix that nudges impatiently at her borders. Protected by more than 1,000 acres a portion of Phoenix Mountains on the north, the lush golf course, the exclusive Biltmore Estates and its mansions the hurly-burly of traffic is never heard. Like the grand lady of Arizona resorts with the maturity of 45 years, the hotel presides with dignity over her setting, a gracious hostess to both famous from afar and the leading social events of the Valley of the Sun.

The Biltmore has come a long way since her debut when local papers chronicled her first party February 23, 1929. The opening included performances by opera singers, Harry Owens Orchestra, dancers from Spain, South American and Indian tribal dances by Chief Joe Fecakaku. The air age had just begun; and so a tri-motor Ford air-plane circled the hotel and dropped a huge gold key attached to a bouquet of roses. A Phoenix newspaper described the event as follows: “The rays of the fast sinking Western sun shone on the gilded key as it flashed downward and landed on the roof of the hostelry. A Hopi Indian runner waiting for this event scaled the hotel wall in a jiffy, recovered the key and returned it to Charles B. Harvey, the manager.”

The Queen of Internationally Honored Resort Hotels THE ARIZONA BILTMORE

By Margaret Dudley Thomas

Here & DOROTHY MC LAUGHLIN

The hotel when completed was known as the fulfillment of a long-time dream of Phoenicians Charles and Warren McArthur who had called in a third brother, Albert Chase McArthur, to design the sprawling structure. Many of its ideas were revolutionary for the period. Albert Chase McArthur worked for Frank Lloyd Wright as a young draftsman and designer in Oak Park, Illinois.

Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, widow of the famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, recalls that she and Mr. Wright were at Taliesin East in Wisconsin when Albert McArthur wired Mr. Wright and asked him to come to Phoenix and assist in designing and building the hotel. The Wright family packed quickly and took the first train to Phoenix, then a picturesque town of some 39,000 with views of the mountains from every street.

The Wrights immediately fell in love with the desert; and in reminiscing, Mrs. Wright remembers it was "thrilling and exciting to her husband's creative imagination." Noting that people would come from all parts of the country to relax in warm winter sunshine and clear, pure air, the late world famous architect predicted Arizona would become a playground of the nation.

The decorative block system to be used had been employed by Mr. Wright in homes in the early 1920's in California. Devotees of Mr. Wright felt he gave it form and beauty with his intuitive sense of the material's nature, although at the time concrete block was considered common and the "vulgarian" of the building trade.

Mrs. Wright recalls that when her husband molded concrete, it was impressed with integral patterns to achieve light and shade and strengthened by horizontal and vertical rods of thin steel which he considered the warp and woof for structural continuity. From this came the name textile block construction.

Shortly after the gala opening of the hotel, the stock market crash occurred and the depression followed. At this time, William Wrigley of Chicago assumed ownership of the Biltmore Hotel.

For many years, the hotel's gray block walls shielded the privacy and life of the wealthy and famous from local residents. A long tree-lined drive from 24th Street and Camelback Road led sightseers to its lush grounds and a drive past the hotel. La Colina Solana, winter mansion of the Wrigleys, proudly overlooked the gardens and golf course from its hilltop site.

Recent years have seen a change in restricting the public from the hotel. Many of the Biltmore estate's residents and the public now utilize the hotel and its facilities for dining, golfing, playing tennis, horseback riding, and entertaining.

Among the celebrities that came to the hotel through the years seeking relaxation in the Arizona sunshine were Ava Gardner, Edna Ferber, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, Ida Lupino, Joan Crawford, and the young John F. Kennedy just out of navy service, Clark Gable, dashing Doug Fairbanks with Mary Pickford, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. There were many names of note such as the Astors, Vanderbilts, Rockefelliers the late Henry Luce and his wife, Clare Boothe Luce, owned a home on the grounds as do notable surgeon Dr. Loyal Davis and his wife, parents of the wife of Califormia's Governor Ronald Reagan Mrs. Edward A. Cudahy the Don Harringtons plus other Arizona prominents such as Robert Goldwater and Walter Bimsons.

The guests enjoy the pleasures of the 18-hole championship golf course designed by William Bell of Pasadena, a 72 par layout. Also located on the hotel grounds is one of the most complete equestrian centers in the country. The stables conform to Spanish feeling and include an arena with built-in bleachers, which is the scene of rodeos and horse shows. Nearby are the picnic grounds which are the frequent setting for authentic western hoedowns, square dancing, and cookouts with hayrides. Riders enjoy 26 miles of scenic desert and mountain trails on the Biltmore property.

For tennis bufis, there are 12 courts, some of which have night lights. Billie Jean King's Tennis America has established instructional courses at the Biltmore for tennis players of any age who wish to improve their game. The grounds also boast lawn bowling with 125 foot greens. Sunlazers lounge by an olympic sized swimming pool bright with mosaic tile and enjoy buffet luncheons and fashion shows in the sun. Here, too, there are cabanas, table tennis, exercise equipment, saunas, steam baths and a masseuse arid masseur in the clubhouse. Special fenced areas are provided for children with playground equipment, as well as arts and crafts and competitive sports.

As the hotel matured, a transition period became evident in other fine resort hotels around the world. A sales office was established to obtain convention business. The advent of plane and cars brought mobile vacationers who were no longer tied to the grounds during their entire stay.

Convention business began with select groups, such as the Young Presidents, men who had grossed more than $1 million in their own firms by age 30. Doors were opened also to Valley residents to share the delight of dinner and dancing at the hotel. It became a focal point for fashionable private and charity events, such as Barrows, Cancer, Kivel, Heart, Symphony, and other gala balls. Tops in record fund raising in the area was last year's Cancer Ball, a memorial to the late Sally (Mrs. Robert) Goldwater which raised more than $100,000. She resided in the Biltmore estates in a handsome home overlooking the fairways. The private parties are elegant and gracious occasions given by leading socialites of not only Arizona but from all over the world.

But into each life, even that of a maturing grand dame like the Biltmore, a bit of rain may fall. The hotel's "rain" was the raging fire that gutted the proud hostelry, shocking the entire valley as the community watched flames sweep sky-ward. Dense smoke soared as the upper floors of the main structure were destroyed. Its famous copper roof buckled and water and smoke daniaged the entire building.

Just prior to the fire, which occurred on June 21, 1973, the entire property had been purchased by Talley Industries, Incorporated of Mesa, Arizona. Out of that tragic, spectacular blaze rose a finer hotel in one of the most unique building feats in the history of construction. Everything was discarded due to damage by fire, smoke or water. Therefore, the hotel had to be completely rebuilt, redecorated, and refurbished in ninety days.

At the entrance stood a sign, “Hotel closed for summer; will reopen September 29” — prophecy or impossibility? Rapidly taking stock of the remains of his purchase, Mr. Franz Talley set that date as his goal. The proud dowager, gutted to the core, would have her face lifted, and in a glorious manner.

The project was a 24-hour-a-day task described by Mrs. Franz Talley as a combination of good old-fashioned “Yankee ingenuity” and the American spirit of cooperation and determination. Dedicating and the organization and expediting talents of Talley Industries personnel combined with the fine professional abilities of members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, local craftsmen, artists, and the building trades, all pulling together, made it possible to complete the project on time and open the hotel on September 29, as the sign had prophesied.

Blocks were cast from Arizona sand on the site just as a quarter million had been cast in the same molds in 1929. Carl Lundine and Jim Oliger (who at age 29 had worked on building the hotel originally) taught 15 younger workers how to apply laboriously more than 38,000 square feet of gold leaf on ceilings to reflect a soft light. Edith Hamlin, widow of the noted Western artist, Maynard Dixon, jetted in from San Francisco to restore her late husband's famed Legend of Earth and Sun mural and her matching Turquoise Goddess mural, each 25 x 8 feet, which hang in the main dining room.

Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's original drawings from early years were brought from the foundation's vault with the permission of Mrs. Frank Lloyd Wright. From this priceless collection, designs were chosen for new interiors and furnishings — translated into textiles, carpets, yarns, glass, wood and metals by the Taliesin Interior designers under the direction of and in consultation with Mrs. Franz G. Talley.

The new copper roof areas posed a problem. How to achieve the patina matching the softness of copper exposed to 40 years of Arizona sun? When national firms exhausted their known formulas and methods, Talley's own research group produced a new formula and the desired patina.

Guests entering the newly restored hotel are greeted by a cluster of columns, plantings and fountains symbolizing an oasis on the desert. Nearby is a handsome stained glass mural designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1929, an abstraction of Arizona's saguaros and cacti. Using instruments of his art, he created geometric shapes to interpret his mural “Saguaro Forms and Cactus Flowers” in clear, bright tones.

Lobby carpets woven in Ireland are in warm shades of coral and green and the spacious lobby now has intimate areas, the entirety bathed in the reflection from the world's largest gold leaf ceiling. Handsome heavy metal and wood tables that are 1932 Wright designs with etched brass surfaces of protective patina grace the two entries. Soft lighting filters through glass and concrete block of the original structure design. The restored wrought iron furniture is the original designed for the hotel by the McArthurs in 1928.

At the east end of the lobby, there is a posh, sophisticated supper club. The Orangerie. Sparkling stalactite chandeliers hang from a ceiling softly aglow with hundreds of tiny seedlike bulbs cast directly into the ceiling over diners enjoying the finest of French cuisine, prepared under the direction of Franz Nikodemus and his staff. A profusion of living plants give the room a garden-like atmosphere and the east windows frame the famous view of Camelback Mountain. Carpet, menus, uniforms, placemats, all details carry out the stylized pattern of oranges taken from the Frank Lloyd Wright design in the rug. The same careful attention to detail is noted throughout the entire hotel.

The Gold Room or main dining room has opened its arms to the sun. Turquoise and white awnings protect the vast window walls and keep the window views of the lovely gardens unobstructed. Soft green carpet with touches of coral and plum, and a raised area for tables around the perimeter add warmth and intimacy to the spacious room. The vaulted gold leaf ceiling mirrors the candle light and colorfully gowned dancers and diners during the evenings.

The Grand Ballroom, setting for major galas, is elegant with rich toned plum ceiling and chairs upholstered to match; deep carpeting and velvet draperies of many subtle hues pick up accent shades from the original Frank Lloyd Wright design in the carpeting. The entrance now features tapestries along the wall of leather, mirrors, and gilt.

In the Aztec Room, used for parties, theater and meetings, the theme is deep blue with turquoise, orange and coral accents. The rug design is that of the superb architectural details in the ceiling. This design is repeated in the stage curtain, which is hand appliqued on a turquoise background.

The 243 deluxe guest rooms have been completely redone in bright clear colors echoed in silk screened Frank Lloyd Wright murals in each room. Scattered over several acres of green lawns and gardens are cottages with patios and living rooms with fireplaces for guests who wish luxurious service in a private home-like atmosphere.

Last year, prior to the sale of the hotel by the Wrigley family, Mrs. Philip K. Wrigley confided to Taliesin's director of archives, Bruce Pfeifer, as she looked down the 208 foot lobby with its glowing gold leaf ceiling -“Now that we no longer come to Arizona or can personally supervise the hotel, we believe we should sell it. Yet, I could never part with this wonderful building unless I were absolutely assured that the new owners will cherish it as we have, of that you may be certain. We will only sell to someone who will take care of it and truly appreciate its remarkably beauty.” It passed into the ownership of Talley Industries June 5, 1973; and plans were begun to consider expansion for the steadily growing resort season and at the same time, keep its original tone of elegance and not lose quality or distinction.

The fire brought changes about more rapidly than planned with the spark that flamed into inferno in the process of updating the sprinkler system in compliance with the new Phoenix fire code.

Today, the Jewel of the Desert presides over her colorful gardens aflame with the midseason flowers, the velvety fairways, more tastefully gowned than before with her exciting, new look. However, she still maintains the same high standards of fine service and gracious hospitality as in the past; and this year, for the first time in history, the hotel will remain open all year around. Facelifting and all like the grand dame of resorts that she is, her new look adds enchantment to the qualities of graciousness and dignity she owned from the beginning. Her new owners not only appreciated, but have enhanced her remarkable beauty. ☐☐☐

In the Aztec Room, used for parties, meetings and a theater, the theme is turquoise, orange and coral. HERB & DOROTHY MC LAUGHLIN The Gold Room is noted for its famed gold leaf vaulted ceiling and murals by the distinguished artist Maynard Dixon. HERB & DOROTHY MC LAUGHLIN Plantings, fountains and architectural details reflect the inspiration and talent of Frank Lloyd Wright who used all of them as instruments of art... transforming dreams into reality.

The virgin desert, above, is only thirty minutes from the exclusive and secluded mansions of Biltmore Estates. In the home at the right, according to the realtor's brochure (resales are very rare) the master bedroom loggia, second floor left, overlooks the lush eighteen hole Biltmore Golf Course with a perpetual clear day view of Camelback Mountain, pictured below.

High above Phoenix, the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. Wayne Beal is designed for a view from every room. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets mark the days while city lights animate the night...and always there is the rugged strength of the mountains close at hand. - NEIL KOPPES FOLLOWING PANEL - pages 24-25 A spring carpet of Owl Clover adorns the desert while winter remains on the Mazatzal's Four Peaks, background.-WILLIS PETERSON Back country roads can still be found inside the city limits. EARL PETROFF A hilltop house rises out of a billowing sea of yellow flowers. - NYLE LEATHAM

Founded by Elizabeth Arden, Arizona Maine Chance, located on 200 acres of rare, prime desert within Phoenix city limits, bursts with horticultural splendor. The internationally renown beauty spa is truly one of the Valley of the Sun's crown jewels.

Trail rides and cowboy steak dinners are only thirty minutes from most Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts.

PHOTOS BY HERB & DOROTHY MC LAUGHLIN

Would you like to attend the sport of the Pharaohs or the sport of Kings? In Phoenix you can do both. The world's fastest greyhounds are represented at Arizona's year 'round racing circuit. And Turf Paradise, below, is noted for its fast track and picturesque setting. Racing is scheduled from November through April.

The breathtaking splendor of the French Riviera at the peak of a blossom bursting spring. The soul-stirring exhilaration of the most picturesque desert setting in the world. Hollywood's Rosemary Stack and John Gardiner concur, the place is John Gardiner's Tennis Ranch on Camelback.