Admitted to the union in 1912, Arizona is a fairly young state, but it’s also one where reminders of its colorful heritage are never far from the surface. Whether it’s Yuma’s notorious Old West prison, the slice of Americana along Flagstaff’s stretch of Route 66 or the pulsating arts scene of downtown Phoenix’s burgeoning Warehouse District, there is no shortage of historic and repurposed places to hold events that evoke the state’s legendary past.
Greater Phoenix
Located on the southern edge of downtown Phoenix, the Warehouse District is an area of vintage buildings, many of them built during the early 20th century to house supplies arriving in the city on the nearby rail line. Increasingly, these spacious structures are finding new life as restaurants, pubs, art galleries, concert venues and event spaces.
Among them is the Pressroom, a 14,000-square-foot red brick building that once housed the most modern printing press in Arizona. With indoor capacity for up to 1,000 people as well as ample outdoor space, the versatile Pressroom accommodates corporate meetings, receptions, concerts, sports events and visual and performing arts exhibitions.
Another popular venue, Warehouse215, is a 1918 converted linen laundry building that still has its original red-brick walls, clerestory windows and wood-beam ceiling, along with some newer touches such as bistro lighting and chandeliers. The 10,000-square-foot Warehouse offers two main rooms for events as well as a 1,500-square-foot landscaped patio. Under the same management, the adjacent Bentley Gallery hosts changing art exhibitions that range from ancient artifacts to contemporary paintings and sculpture.
“You can do a tour of the Bentley Gallery and then do a private dinner in the adjoining warehouse,” says Angela Hofford, business development director for AlliedPRA Arizona, a DMC. “It’s not far from the convention center and you can charter trolleys to go there.”
Former industrial buildings are also being repurposed in downtown Tempe where The Yard at Farmer Arts District, originally a citrus packing plant, is home to two private event spaces. The 4,000-square-foot Showcase Room accommodates up to 250 guests in an area with retractable walls and audiovisual capabilities, while The Coop holds up to 85 guests in a cozy lounge area with eclectic artwork.
Scottsdale
The art, history, culture and unique stories of Arizona and surrounding states are celebrated at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. With space for up to 1,000 guests, the museum’s architectural design and function spaces, including the Virginia G. Piper Auditorium and adjoining sculpture courtyard, are winning kudos from local event planners.
“It’s a great blend of history and amazing architecture; there’s details like poured concrete along an exterior wall that resembles the ribs of a cactus,” says Lori James, owner of AZA Events. “It’s well designed for combining a dinner inside with a reception outdoors.”
Not only is Scottsdale the home of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architectural school, but it also boasts the Price House, a mid-century residence designed by Wright for the family that owned the U-Haul company. While not open to the public, the house is available for groups to hold a dinner or reception and tour the home and expansive grounds.
“It’s a spectacular example of classic Wright design that includes a central open fireplace, original Wright-designed furniture and really stunning mountain views from the terrace,” Hofford says. “It’s a truly unique option for events.”
Tucson
Much like Phoenix, Tucson has also been busy repurposing some of its early 20th century buildings. Among them is the Carriage House, originally the city’s first indoor car dealership when it opened in 1917. It recently reopened as a culinary venue operated by Chef Janos Wilder, owner of the popular Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails restaurant. Along with culinary workshops, the venue is also available for private dinners and receptions for groups of up to 160.
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Located in the historic Dunbar Spring Neighborhood, the Whistle Stop Depot is a clear-span former warehouse of steel and polished concrete that has been renovated with recycled, reclaimed and handmade materials. An outdoor courtyard accommodates food trucks and live entertainment.
“The Whistle Stop Depot is a great blank campus that can really be dressed up for a variety of events,” says Cindy Benequista, national sales manager for AlliedPRA Arizona, who is equally enthused about Carriage House. “A lot of exciting stuff is happening in Tucson.”
Sedona
In Sedona, where the red-rock landscape has inspired generations of artists, the Sedona Arts Center has its roots in the 1930s-era Jordan Apple Packing Barn. Still referred to as “the art barn,” the building is the scene of workshops, annual events and historical tours that delve into the city’s past as an art mecca and gathering spot for early artists and entrepreneurs. Offering a community art gallery, classrooms and an outdoor sculpture garden, the venue accommodates small to mid-size groups for special events.
“The Arts Center gives groups the chance to get involved with hands-on workshops and engage with local artists—we recently did a pottery workshop for a Swiss group that worked out really well,” James says.
Sedona’s pioneer past is illustrated at the Sedona Heritage Museum, which is located in the former homestead of the Jordan family. Its grounds include a restored telegraph office that was featured in such classic Western movies as Angel and the Badman with John Wayne. The museum and adjoining Jordan Historical Park offer several indoor and outdoor event spaces, including the Packing Shed, which seats up to 100 guests.
Flagstaff
Groups can get their kicks on Route 66, the iconic highway that winds from Chicago to L.A. and bisects Flagstaff along the way. A stop on the route from its heyday is The Museum Club, a rambling log structure built in 1931 where visitors can enjoy live country music, headliner concerts and line dancing. With a capacity for 300 and including two full-service bars and a back patio, the Museum Club is available for private events.
“We get a lot of interest in Route 66, especially among European visitors,” says Joanne Hudson, spokeswoman for the Flagstaff CVB. “Some like to rent motorcycles at EagleRider Flagstaff and ride portions of the highway.”
Flagstaff’s Museum of Northern Arizona not only presents the geological and cultural history of the region at its 200-acre campus, but is itself a venue with historic ambience. Up to 65 guests are accommodated at the Colton House, a handsome rock and timber structure built by Hopi craftsmen in the 1920s, which was once the home of the museum’s founders.
Yuma
Holding a pivotal place in the history of the Old West, Yuma offers several significant historic sites from the era. Among them is Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, the place where mid-19th century steamboats traveling up the Colorado River docked with supplies for the frontier town.
The park offers five of Arizona’s oldest and best-preserved buildings as well as spacious picnic grounds with river views. At Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, visitors can peer into the original cells at the notorious prison where many an outlaw met his fate.
