| This hotel resort and restaurant consists of two four story buildings comprising a total of 90,659 sq. ft. separated by a courtyard and outdoor recreational facilities suited to the desert environment. The project site is unique and along with the program, presented a number of design challenges and opportunities. Encompassing 5.56 acres, the site borders the B.N.S.F. Railway to the south and the Colorado river to the north with Route 66 passing through from the southwest heading east at an elevation 35’ above the river frontage. Located at the Arizona end of the “Mother Road”, Topock has a history born in 1883 as a settlement along the railroad bridge and for generations has been a destination for boating, off-roading and year round water sports. The location has been a popular place for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy good food, hospitality and a place to cool off from their travels.
The focus of the design team was to create a cost effective, environmentally friendly, historically sensitive, architecturally significant and welcoming entrance to the State of Arizona at its Exit One location along Interstate 40. The riverfront restaurant, nightclub and retail building faces north with an expansive use of glass framed within an exposed steel and concrete facade. The restaurant and nightclub facilities open onto balconies above the river walk for further enjoyment of the river vistas. The 102 room hotel stretches along the Route 66 frontage road with the majority of the guest rooms facing north toward the river. The exterior facade of concrete tilt-up construction is scored to appear like corrugated steel and will be stained for effect. The building entrance repeats the use of glass and exposed steel and provides shelter from the elements for arriving guests. Connecting the two buildings above the central courtyard is a pedestrian bridge of steel, influenced by the nearby railway bridge crossing the Colorado River.
The themed approach of the project design creates an atmosphere relevant to its environment, inviting to its guests and passersby promoting further exploration of Americana history along Route 66. The Mohave County Economic Development Department has labeled Topock 66 Spa & Resort as an “exciting project and a great addition to the Arizona West Coast Region”.
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