Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Explained

Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
Coordinates:33.8457°N -116.544°W
Address:1600 North Indian Canyon Drive
Opened Date:1959
Renovation Date:1974, 1984–1989, 2006–2008, 2020–21
Destruction Date:-->
Cost:$3 million (original structures)
Owner:AGRE DCP Palm Springs
Floor Count:2 (original hotel structures)
3 (hotel addition, 1961)
Architect:Homer Rissman (1959)

Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs is a resort hotel in Palm Springs, California. It occupies 16acres, and includes 398 rooms, as well as 40000square feet of meeting and banquet space.

The property opened as the Riviera in 1959. It included the city's first convention center, and a golf course that operated for the next two decades. Ownership of the resort has changed numerous times since the 1960s. The property was known as the Riviera for much of its history, sometimes operating under variations such as Holiday Inn-Riviera (1965–1969) and Hilton Riviera (1978–1988), in affiliation with Holiday Inn and Hilton Hotels respectively. It also once operated as the Radisson Palm Springs Resort (1988–1992), in partnership with Radisson Hotels.

The Riviera was closed from 2006 to 2008, allowing for a $70 million renovation. It closed again in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was rebranded by the end of the year as a Margaritaville resort, becoming the chain's first location on the U.S. west coast. It is owned by Apollo Global Management and DiNapoli Capital Partners through a joint venture known as AGRE DCP Palm Springs.

History

Early years (1950s–1990s)

The property began as the Riviera, owned by Irwin Schuman and his brother Mark Schulman.[1] The name was copied from the unaffiliated Riviera hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Groundbreaking took place on March 21, 1959,[2] [3] and construction reached the halfway point four months later.[4] The project ultimately cost $3 million.[2] [5] It opened at the end of October 1959, while construction was still underway in certain areas.[6] A formal opening was held the following month.[7] [8] The hotel appeared in the 1963 film Palm Springs Weekend,[9] and was popular among celebrities throughout the decade.[10] Those who entertained at the Riviera included Bing Crosby, Jerry Lewis,[11] Dick Contino,[12] and members of the Rat Pack.[11] [13]

In 1965, the property was sold to the Holiday Inn chain,[14] [15] [16] which rebranded it as the Holiday Inn-Riviera.[17] The property had 400 employees at that time.[18] Gotham Hotels, based in New York, purchased the property in 1969,[19] renaming it the Riviera Hotel and Country Club.[17] The Riviera had thrived under the Schuman/Schulman ownership, becoming popular for its entertainment, fine dining, and service. However, the subsequent owners failed to maintain this reputation, and the property entered bankruptcy in 1972.[17] The brothers bought back the Riviera in 1974 and launched a renovation project to restore its past prominence.[20]

It was renamed the Hilton Riviera in 1978, through a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels,[21] [22] marking the latter's first property in Palm Springs.[23] The partnership helped the Riviera to attract tourists and conventions outside of the Southern California area. Schuman continued managing the hotel until his death in 1983.[24] The property was renovated later that year.[25]

In 1984, the Schulman family sold the Riviera to Galadari Hotels, marking its first U.S. property.[26] Further renovations were underway in 1985,[27] with funding by HomeFed Bank. Half of the Riviera remained open during the renovation work, which was in response to competition from new hotels in the area. The project modernized the aging resort, gutting the rooms and updating the 1950s architecture. An early idea was to demolish the Riviera and rebuild it from scratch.[28]

Galadari filed for bankruptcy in 1986, and plans to sell the Hilton Riviera were disrupted when it went into receivership,[29] [30] with HomeFed soon taking it over.[31] [32] [33] Additional renovation work took place in 1988, accompanied by a Radisson Hotels partnership. The property was renamed Radisson Palm Springs Resort,[34] [35] and renovations concluded in 1989.[31] A year later, the hotel was sold to Carpenters Pension Trust of Southern California,[31] which later became Southwest CPT. The Radisson name was dropped in 1992, and the property once again became the Riviera.[36] [37]

Later years (2000s–present)

The Riviera closed on June 1, 2006, after it was sold to HBF Noble House LLC, a partnership of Noble House Hotels Resorts and HBF Holdings.[38] [39] [40] The hotel's contents were liquidated,[41] as the new owners launched a two-year, $70 million renovation of the entire property, giving it a Hollywood Regency design. The Riviera reopened on October 15, 2008.[42] [43] [44] Noble House bought out its partner in 2012,[45] and sold the Riviera to Apollo Global Management in 2015, for $44 million. Apollo owns the hotel through AGRE DCP Palm Springs, a joint venture with DiNapoli Capital Partners.[46] In 2016, the Riviera joined Starwood's Tribute Portfolio, which consists of independent upscale hotels.[47] [48] [49]

The Riviera was closed in March 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic reached California. Later that year, plans were announced to convert the property into a Margaritaville resort. The rebrand was already being planned prior to the pandemic, and the resulting closure allowed renovations to be expedited.[50] It reopened on November 25, 2020,[51] [52] as Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs.[53] It was the first Margaritaville resort to open on the U.S. west coast.[54] [55] The property's mid-century theming was removed in favor of a tropical setting, appealing to a more casual clientele, as well as families.[56] [57] Renovations concluded in 2021, with the debut of a new restaurant.[58] [59] The property remains under the ownership of AGRE DCP Palm Springs.[60]

Features

The resort occupies 16acres,[50] and includes two pools and a spa.[61] [62] The Riviera was originally designed by Las Vegas architect Homer Rissman.[63] [4] [64] The hotel was built in a circular layout, with wings extending outward like spokes in a wheel, while a courtyard and pool occupy the center.[28] [64]

The two-story Riviera opened with 225 rooms. Two additional wings, both three stories, were added at the rear of the hotel in 1961.[65] Further additions were being planned a few years later,[66] ultimately bringing the room count to 525.[63] [67] As of 1969, it was the largest hotel in Palm Springs,[68] and had also been the largest Holiday Inn location in the U.S.[69] The property now has 398 rooms.[70] [58]

When it opened, the Riviera included Palm Springs' first convention center.[24] [71] It had capacity for 1,300 people,[5] later increased to 3,000 with an expansion beginning in 1963.[20] [72] It was the only convention center in Palm Springs as of 1972.[17] As Margaritaville, the property includes 40000square feet of meeting and banquet space.[50] Since its original opening, the hotel has had numerous on-site restaurants.[63] [73] [74] [58]

Golf course and racquet club

The Riviera originally included a 14acres golf course, located east and north of the hotel. The 30-par, nine-hole course measured 2,000 yards.[75] [76] In 1978, the course was redeveloped by Caravan International as Riviera Gardens, a 221-unit condominium project along the hotel's east side.[77] [78] [79]

Caravan proceeded to build the Riviera Racquet Club, on leased hotel property just north of the resort.[80] [81] The club opened in 1983 and was available to hotel guests. The facility closed in 1986, due to financial problems.[82] It was purchased and reopened later that year by entertainer Sonny Bono, who had a restaurant there that continued operating into the following decade.[83] The club was eventually purchased by Carpenters Pension Trust along with the hotel, which then operated for some time as the Riviera Resort & Racquet Club.[84] In 2018, the club was demolished and the land was redeveloped as "64 at the Riv", another condominium project.[85]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Riviera Starts . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . May 8, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  2. News: Groundbreaking Ceremonies . The Desert Sun . March 18, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  3. News: Local Spots Busy These Lenten Days . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . March 21, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  4. News: New Riviera Hotel Hits Halfway Mark On Schedule . The Desert Sun . August 1, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  5. News: Palm Springs Riviera Hotel Tabs Glaston . Los Angeles Mirror . October 23, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  6. News: Opening Riviera in Desert . Los Angeles Times . November 1, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  7. News: $3 Million Hotel Set to Open This Month . Los Angeles Times . November 8, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  8. News: News . The Desert Sun . November 20, 1959 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  9. News: Link . Matthew . Ready for Their Close-Ups . June 2, 2024 . Palm Springs Life . May 31, 2013.
  10. Web site: Kloss . Kelsey . The Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs Receives a Stunning Transformation . Elle Decor . June 2, 2024 . March 7, 2017.
  11. News: Lacey . Stephen . Palm Springs eternal . June 2, 2024 . The Sydney Morning Herald . February 5, 2011.
  12. News: Dick Contino Returns To Hilton Riviera . The Desert Sun . June 13, 1978 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  13. Web site: Cochran . Jason . Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs: A Tour of His Hangouts . Frommers . June 2, 2024.
  14. News: Riviera Hotel Sale Seen Confirmed . The Desert Sun . March 11, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  15. News: Riviera Sale Price Now Said $11.6 Million . The Desert Sun . March 12, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  16. News: Riviera Escrow Closed Today . The Desert Sun . April 29, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  17. News: Receivers Running Bankrupt Riviera . The Desert Sun . October 28, 1972 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  18. News: Riviera Hotel Transfer Due by April 30 . Los Angeles Times . April 16, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  19. News: New York City Hotel Firm Buys Holiday Inn-Riviera (page 1 of 2) . The Desert Sun . May 21, 1969 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  20. News: Brothers Repurchase Riviera . The Desert Sun . August 6, 1974 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  21. News: Name Change for Riviera . The Desert Sun . April 24, 1978 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  22. News: Changes Are Not Expected . The Desert Sun . May 11, 1978 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  23. News: Riviera goes Hilton . The Sun-Telegram . May 14, 1978 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  24. News: Covarrubias . Amanda . Borders . Anthony . Friends recall Schuman's generosity, contributions to Palm Springs' growth . The Desert Sun . February 17, 1983 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  25. News: Renovations underway at Hilton . Palm Desert Post . October 5, 1983 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  26. News: Hilton hotel sold . The Desert Sun . November 12, 1983 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  27. News: Hilton Riviera begins phase two of remodeling . The Desert Sun . July 25, 1985 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  28. News: Hilton Riviera refurbishing to escape 1950s style . The Desert Sun . October 18, 1985 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  29. News: Persian Gulf firm selling Hilton Riviera . The Desert Sun . July 18, 1986 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  30. News: PS Hilton Riviera to get new owner . The Desert Sun . November 8, 1986 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  31. News: Bank finds buyer for Radisson hotel . The Desert Sun . August 11, 1990 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  32. News: Hilton Riviera faces foreclosure . The Desert Sun . April 25, 1986 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  33. News: Home Federal gets Hilton Riviera . The Desert Sun . November 14, 1986 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  34. News: Union says Radisson workers picketed owner . The Desert Sun . April 19, 1990 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  35. News: Radisson Dumps Riviera Name . Palm Desert Post . October 12, 1988 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  36. News: St. George holds Jewel of a Ball . The Desert Sun . February 2, 1992 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  37. News: Update: Valley real estate news . Los Angeles Times . February 1, 1992 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  38. News: Riviera headed for a makeover? (page 1 of 2) . The Desert Sun . March 26, 2006 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  39. News: Riviera headed for a makeover? (page 2 of 2) . The Desert Sun . March 26, 2006 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  40. News: Renowned Riviera closes . The Desert Sun . June 1, 2006 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  41. News: Riviera's going, going ... . The Desert Sun . September 7, 2007 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  42. Web site: Mullaj . Mary . The Riviera Resort & Spa . Haute Living . June 2, 2024 . October 30, 2008.
  43. News: Reynolds . Christopher . A visit to 1959 Palm Springs . June 2, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . December 6, 2009.
  44. Web site: Ditmars . Hadani . The Riviera . . June 2, 2024 . March 21, 2017.
  45. Web site: Greenhalgh . Nathan . Noble House buys Riviera Palm Springs . HotelsMag.com . June 2, 2024 . June 12, 2012.
  46. Web site: Winners Announced at 13th Annual HD Awards . Hospitality Design . June 2, 2024 . June 8, 2017 . Owner: AGRE DCP Palm Springs JV, a joint venture between Apollo Global Management and DiNapoli Capital Partners..
  47. News: Descant . Skip . Riviera Palm Springs under new management, upgrade planned . June 2, 2024 . The Desert Sun . September 24, 2015.
  48. News: Forgione . Mary . Stay where Sinatra played, pay with loyalty points, at Riviera Palm Springs . June 2, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . September 25, 2015.
  49. News: Cooper . Jeanne . Suite Spot: Swingin’ at the Riviera Palm Springs . June 2, 2024 . Stamford Advocate . March 23, 2017.
  50. News: Daniels . Melissa . Palm Springs Margaritaville resort? Riviera hotel is being transformed to reopen fall 2020 . June 2, 2024 . The Desert Sun . August 6, 2020.
  51. News: Thropay . Caitlin . Modernism hotel gets rebranded to tropical paradise 'Margaritaville' . June 2, 2024 . KESQ . November 24, 2020.
  52. Web site: The Newly Renovated and Rebranded Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Opens in California . Hotel-Online . June 2, 2024 . November 25, 2020.
  53. News: McAllister . Tony . Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Puts Final Touch On CA Debut . June 2, 2024 . Patch.com . August 4, 2021.
  54. News: Reyes . Jesus . The Riviera in Palm Springs will be converted into a Margaritaville Resort . June 2, 2024 . KESQ . August 6, 2020.
  55. News: Kelly . Leslie . Choppy Waters At Jimmy Buffett’s New Margaritaville In Palm Springs . June 2, 2024 . Forbes . February 16, 2023.
  56. News: Hochberg . Emily . My dream wedding venue became a Margaritaville — here are the good, bad, and puzzling changes made to an iconic midcentury Palm Springs hotel . June 2, 2024 . Business Insider . July 16, 2021.
  57. News: Powers . Jim . Get Out the Cocktail Umbrellas . June 2, 2024 . Palm Springs Life . August 19, 2020.
  58. Web site: Lapan . Tovin . With restaurant's debut, Margaritaville Palm Springs is complete . Travel Weekly . June 2, 2024 . August 17, 2021.
  59. News: Wroten . Bryan . US Hotel Conversions: Margaritaville Palm Springs Completes Rebrand . June 2, 2024 . CoStar . September 7, 2021.
  60. Web site: Privacy Policy . Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts . June 2, 2024.
  61. News: Willman . Marissa . The Riviera Palm Springs . June 2, 2024 . The Telegraph . November 1, 2017.
  62. News: Hochberg . Emily . The Riviera Palm Springs is my go-to for a cheap boutique stay in the California desert . June 2, 2024 . Business Insider . April 20, 2020.
  63. News: Conrad . Tracy . History: Palm Springs' Riviera Hotel brought glamour, romance and transformative majesty to the desert . June 2, 2024 . The Desert Sun . October 4, 2020.
  64. News: Fusek . Maggie . Flamingo Hotel Considered For Federal Historic Designation . June 1, 2024 . Patch.com . July 20, 2021.
  65. News: Riviera Announces $1-Million Expansion Plan . The Desert Sun . February 1, 1961 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  66. News: Council Approves Riviera's Growth . The Desert Sun . March 26, 1963 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  67. News: Topeka Firm Buys Biggest Resort Hotel . The Salina Journal . Associated Press . March 12, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  68. News: New York City Hotel Firm Buys Holiday Inn-Riviera (page 2 of 2) . The Desert Sun . May 21, 1969 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  69. News: Gene Redmon Named To Holiday Inn Post . The Desert Sun . November 3, 1965 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  70. Web site: Murray . Pamela . Riviera Palm Springs Sold for $44M . CoStar . June 2, 2024 . September 29, 2015.
  71. Web site: Colacello . Bob . Palm Springs Weekends . Vanity Fair . June 2, 2024 . June 1, 1999 . [T]he Riviera had the town's first convention center.
  72. News: Work Started on Convention Center at Hotel . Los Angeles Times . May 19, 1963 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  73. News: The Riviera's Vintage 1959 Menu . June 2, 2024 . KNSD. February 4, 2012.
  74. Web site: Blaine . Dean . Retro chic is retained at refit Palm Springs Riviera . Travel Weekly . June 2, 2024 . February 4, 2009.
  75. News: Riviera Club Is Newest, Fourth Within City Limits . The Desert Sun . October 26, 1959 . June 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  76. News: Riviera Sporty Golf Course: Natural Hazards 'Enticing' . The Desert Sun . January 30, 1961 . June 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  77. News: 71% Of Gardens Units Reserved During First 10 Days . The Desert Sun . January 14, 1978 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  78. News: Buyers Reserve 151 Units in Palm Springs Project . Los Angeles Times . February 12, 1978 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  79. News: Riviera Gardens condos open new model units . The Desert Sun . January 26, 1979 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  80. News: Club to Be Constructed . Los Angeles Times . February 4, 1979 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  81. News: Final Phase . The Desert Sun . November 13, 1982 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  82. News: Court shuts down Riviera Racquet Club . The Desert Sun . March 29, 1986 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  83. News: Ryon . Ruth . Richard Pryor Buys Bel Air Place Home . June 3, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . November 30, 1986.
  84. News: Smith . Rosalind . Property showcased Palm Springs events . The Desert Sun . May 24, 1995 . June 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  85. News: Karol . Lawrence . 64 at the Riv Sits on Site of Sonny Bono’s Palm Springs Restaurant . June 3, 2024 . Palm Springs Life . March 4, 2018.

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