Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Eyes Expansion Article originally posted on HERE on September 27, 2023 A new “destination” restaurant, 155 added hotel rooms and more conference rooms might make those who travel Scottsdale Road north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard wary. But the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort insists that its aggressive expansion plans do not mean the area will be swarmed with traffic. According to a recent planning amendment, “The majority of Princess guests (73%) do not have vehicles on the property as they arrive by transportation means other than private or rented vehicles. They utilize the hotel shuttle, taxis, ride-share, or similar transportation methods.” Even so, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is requesting more parking spaces. In a Sept. 1 amendment to its previous planning amendment filed with the city, the five-star resort requests permission for: • A new ballroom and conference rooms; • A new guest wing with 155 rooms; • A new five-star Italian restaurant; • Raising the maximum height from 36 feet to 47 feet; • An additional 161 additional parking spaces. This adds to a previous request by the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess to build 37 villas and six bungalows on the north end of its sprawling campus between Scottsdale Road and Princess Boulevard. In its request, the Princess stresses it doesn’t consider itself royalty but values the input of its neighbors. “Community involvement has always been and is still extremely important to Scottsdale Princess as they take great pride in being good neighbors and partners in the community,” the application states. Nineteen neighbors attended a Jan. 18 open house to hear about the plans – and left with good vibes, according to the resort. “The improvements were met with much excitement by all the neighbors as they understand that the continued success of the Princess Resort equates to the success for the entire community,” it said, adding: “Neighbors also acknowledged that these improvements are necessary for the Princess to remain a luxury hospitality leader.” According to its latest filing, the Princess plans a new conference building featuring a 35,000 square foot ballroom. The planned elegant eatery on the resort’s northwest corner will be a “Michael Mina high-end Italian-themed restaurant,” featuring an indoor/outdoor coffee roasterie. “The food, design and atmosphere should allow this to be a real destination and amongst the finest restaurants in the Valley,” the filing promises. “The concept for the restaurant is an Italian farmhouse re-envisioned in a modern way for the Arizona desert landscape. “A series of smaller buildings that are linked together by exterior trellises and connecting hallways help to give the impression that the ‘farmhouse’ was built over many generations and expanded as-needed.” The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will make its case for the expansion at the Design Review Board at a public meeting to be scheduled. The resort opened in 1987 and, with TPC Scottsdale, hosted the first Phoenix Open that year. Since then, it has been the host hotel for a variety of major events, such as the Fiesta Bowl, Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction and the Arabian Horse Show.