Baywood Hotels Eyes 135-Room Hotel in Goodyear, Arizona

Baywood Hotels wants to build a 135-room, European-style hotel within a new “downtown” developed by Globe Corp. and Red Development in Goodyear, a fast-growing city west of Phoenix.

The Maryland-based hospitality firm led by Al Patel plans to build the AC Hotels by Marriott at Civic Square at GSQ, south of a new Goodyear City Hall, on McDowell Road, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.

The address of the proposed four-story hotel, its cost and whether the hotel has been approved for development, were not disclosed.

AC Hotels by Marriott would have rooms targeted at business and leisure travelers with lounge, bar, restaurants, business center, meeting space and pool.

The charcoal and white AC Hotels, expected to open next year, would be built in the heart of Goodyear Civic Square at GSQ.

It would overlook a 2-acre park and stand next to a new Banner Health medical office and parking garage, near new restaurants such as the Stillery, Bacchus Wine Bar and Copper & Sage.

Baywood Hotels bought the 1.5-acre site last month for $2.7 million, or $1.8 million an acre, according to Maricopa County records.

“We chose Goodyear for our AC by Marriott development because of its vibrant growth, welcoming community and its position within a high-quality development that reflects our brand’s values,” BJ Patel, senior vice president of Baywood Hotels, said in a statement.

The GSQ downtown totals 150 acres and is being built by Scottsdale-based Globe Corp., which has owned the land since the 1970s, and Red Development, based in Phoenix.

Plans for the downtown project call for a civic center, a hotel, shops, restaurants and an unspecified number of homes.

The first phase of GSQ was the Civic Square project to the west of 150th Drive, which includes Goodyear’s new City Hall and library, a 103,600-square-foot office building and several restaurants and shops. It opened in August 2022.

A Shake Shack, Over Easy and an 8,500-square-foot High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill are under construction. Globe and Red have planned for two more restaurants and a specialty grocery store on the east side of GSQ, according to the Business Journal.

“What is making GSQ successful is the lineup of one-of-a-kind businesses that we are working carefully to attract,” George Getz, co-CEO of Globe, said in a statement. “AC Hotels will be the perfect addition and will create a synergy in Goodyear’s growing downtown that will make it a unique must-visit destination in the Valley.”

Baywood Hotels, founded by Al Patel in 1975, owns and operates more than $1 billion in hotel assets, including AC Hotels in Downtown Phoenix and Tempe, according to its LinkedIn page.

— Dana Bartholomew