1. In late 2012, the Venue Scottsdale was set to open the adjacent, three-level V Squared. The dramatic venue includes a ground-floor restaurant, second-level reception space, and a glass-and-stone spiral staircase leading up to the rooftop bar, which is lined with private cabanas and accommodates as many as 300.
2. A multipurpose art space opened in downtown Phoenix in June, offering a facility that can be rented for photo shoots, film production, or business and social events. Parazol Studios includes an open, 2,500-square-foot space with high ceilings and hardwood floors, plus a shooting bay, a large Cyclorama wall, and a lounge area with a 55-inch flat-screen TV.
3. The landmark Hayden Flour Mill in downtown Tempe, which dates back to 1874, reopened as an event venue in October. The main event space is a grassy lawn and concert stage adjacent to the building, which can be booked for groups of as many as 250; guests can also peek inside the historic mill.
4. In the winter, the W Hotel Scottsdale transforms its Wet pool deck into Chill, an outdoor ice skating rink, complete with a faux-snow machine and a rink-side cocktail bar. The deck holds 500, with room for 50 on the ice at any time; group packages can include DJs and hot chocolate stations. Chill is open from November through January and will return in late 2013.
5. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch is scheduled to complete an extensive renovation of is 2.5-acre “water playground” in January 2013, adding a new white sand beach for evening events for as many as 200. The facility also added new poolside cabanas and a three-story water slide.
6. In October, the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale added Flowrider, a wave simulation machine that lets thrill-seekers ride the waves on surfing-meets-snowboarding “flowboards.” Part of the resort’s new Adventure Water Park, the ride is available for private group events.
