Luhrs Building Explained

Luhrs Building
Location:Phoenix, Arizona
Address:11 West Jefferson Street
Groundbreaking Date:1923
Completion Date:May 14, 1924
Architect:Trost & Trost
Cost:$553,000
Floor Count:10
Architectural Style:Beaux-Arts
Height:136 ft (41 m)
Elevator Count:3
Main Contractor:Jay J. Garfield
Developer:George H. N. Luhrs

The Moxy Phoenix Downtown is a hotel located in the Luhrs Building, a historic ten-story office building located at 11 West Jefferson in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register in 1990,[1] and on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. It was built by local businessman George H. N. Luhrs, an original Phoenix City Council member from 1881–85, at a cost of $553,000 USD, and opened on May 17, 1924. At the time, it was the tallest building in Phoenix and was said to be the largest building between El Paso and Los Angeles.[2] In 2009, the building was renovated with the help of a $500,000 historic preservation grant.[3]

On May 30, 2014, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Palour a now awarding winning cocktail lounge located on the ground floor of the building opens.[4]

On December 29, 2023, the Moxy Phoenix Downtown hotel opened in the converted and restored structure.[5]

Architecture

The L-shaped Luhrs Building was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by the El Paso architectural firm of Trost & Trost. The building is faced with brown brick, with elaborate marble ornamentation on the uppermost two floors, and a heavy cornice at the top. Jay J. Garfield, a well known local builder was the contractor for the building.[6]

The building's ground floor was leased by the US Treasury Dept. from 1924–1935. The 7th–10th floors were the original location of the Arizona Club, including dining rooms, lounges, a library, and bedrooms for club members.[2] When the Arizona Club moved out of the Luhrs Building in 1971, the upper floors were also converted to office floor space. The 6th floor was originally occupied by Standard Oil.[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phoenix Historic Property Register . City of Phoenix . May 21, 2018 . March 2018.
  2. News: Luhrs Building Monument to Pioneer of Valley . May 21, 2018 . Arizona Republican . May 17, 1924.
  3. News: Pela . Robrt L. . The Luhrs Building, Featured in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Has Been Spared – For Now . May 21, 2018 . Phoenix New Times . July 1, 2010.
  4. https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2014/05/29/bitter-twisted-cocktail-parlour-opens-phoenix/9737351/
  5. https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article129655.html
  6. Web site: 7 Mar 1923, Page 1 - Arizona Republic at Newspapers.com. 2021-11-20. Newspapers.com. en.