Developers CivicGroup and Sunflower Development are planning a major hospitality conversion of the historic Security Building in Phoenix, transforming the former office tower into a full-service hotel. The property, which dates back to 1928 and is approaching its 100-year mark, is slated for a $135 million renovation that will reconfigure the interior for 255 hotel rooms while maintaining the building’s historic character.
The project scope goes beyond guestrooms, with plans for 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space integrated into the redevelopment. A central component of this program is the building’s original 1928 ballroom, a 5,500-square-foot venue that will be preserved and incorporated into the new hotel design. Additional meeting areas and amenities will be added to support group business and events once the hotel opens.
Food and beverage is expected to be a significant part of the repositioning strategy. The development team intends to introduce up to five food-and-beverage outlets within the hotel. As currently envisioned, the offerings would include multiple bar concepts, a three-meal restaurant serving breakfast through dinner, and a separate upscale dining option, providing a range of on-site choices for guests and visitors.
Although the Security Building is being converted from office to hospitality use, ownership will remain with Maricopa County. The county will continue to lease the property to the CivicGroup and Sunflower Development team, which plans to operate the building as a hotel under a long-term lease structure of at least 20 years. This arrangement allows the public owner to retain the underlying asset while enabling private investment in the building’s redevelopment.
According to reporting cited from The Phoenix Business Journal, the renovation will require extensive preservation and restoration work to return the building closer to its original historic fabric. Planned efforts include removing layers of drywall and carpet, as well as taking out non-historic walls and office cubicles that were added during its use as an office property. These steps are intended to uncover and highlight the structure’s original architectural features as part of the conversion process.
The developers are targeting an early construction start, with work expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, subject to the project advancing as planned. The current schedule anticipates a hotel opening in the fourth quarter of 2028, following completion of the renovation, build-out of the guestrooms and common areas, and delivery of the new meeting and food-and-beverage spaces. If delivered on that timeline, the Security Building’s next chapter will align closely with its centennial, repositioning a nearly century-old office tower as a hospitality-focused destination in Phoenix.
