Here is a downtown building that I don't think I've featured on this site before. It's the old Westward Ho Hotel building on Central Avenue. This 16-story building was opened as a hotel in 1928 and continued to operate until 1980. From 1928 to 1960 it was considered the tallest building in Arizona before the much taller buildings in our downtown started to appear.
In 1949, the 240 foot tower was installed on top of the hotel to accommodate the first TV station in Phoenix. The transmitting towers for that station along with all the other stations that have since developed all moved to the top of South Mountain in 1960.
The building was put on the National Register of Historic places in 1982 and now serves as subsidized housing for the elderly and that tower on top is now a cell phone tower.
In this photo you can see the Westward Ho building reflected in the side of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism building which is part of the Arizona State University's downtown campus.
17 comments:
Certainly very eye catching!
I love the Westward Ho. One of my favorite buildings in downtown. I went inside one day and a security guard let me look around on the first floor. There are still some remnants of its fabled past. He also mentioned that some of the old chandeliers are stored in the basement. Wouldn't that be a sight to see!
It's too bad they couldn't remove that tower from the top. I think the building would look much better as it was originally meant to look!
Yes, the tower ruins the look a bit. But the building itself is very nice.
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
An interesting building, with that big tower... Love also the reflected version on the last pic.
It's nice that the elderly are right in the middle of things instead of being shunted off to a suburb somewhere. I love your last shot, Sharon!
I do remember this building - it is a landmark and very beautiful. Love that last picture!
I like it and I like all the history!
I think I once read a book called Westward Ho! but it wasn't set in America. Somewhere in Cornwall if I remember correctly. Or at least in the West of England...
I like its style- very much of that era.
A great old building and a landmark for sure. KPHO was the station in there, I think. Wallace and Ladmo? Nice shots.
When I came to Phoenix in '72, I believe the Westward Ho was still the tallest building in Phoenix. But not for long.
Love the reflection shot.
The tower gives it an alien-ish look! Great reflection.
Another fantastic reflection! Love the 3rd shot.
Yes a landmark and Walter Cronkite a legend!
Great reflection photo.
Turning that tower into senior housing was probably an inspired way to save it.
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