We are blushing over here at HM World Headquarters.

Really.

We have received overwhelming kudos and support in the press and from our friends and colleagues, after word of our latest venture spread.  Last week’s Phoenix Business Journal even featured us on their front page, not to mention the kind words shared by the Arizona Republic in their Business Section.

Publicity aside, we were incredibly humbled and impressed that  azcentral.com’s comment section featured commentary by Ben Bethel, local hotel impressario and the all around great guy behind the Clarendon Hotel.  Ben’s vision for the Clarendon, coupled with his grit and determination, have resulted in the creation of a vibrant oasis of cool tucked away in mid-town Phoenix.  From its rooftop Flamenco, to the addition of Doug Robson’s Gallo Blanco Cafe, the Clarendon has been a welcome addition to an otherwise staid hospitality scene here in the PHX.

Ben had nothing but kind words of support for our endeavour, and we have to give credit where it is due.  The Clarendon, among its peers, has served as a source of inspiration for us as we dreamed up the crazy idea of purchasing the Lexington Hotel.  Our intention from the outset was to compliment his vision with a different hospitality experience – its slow reveal will be forthcoming over the next several months.

To that end, we have partnered with a team that we believe is the best in the business, Bond HD and McKinney Capital.  Both firms define professionalism with an uncharacteristic modesty which belies their track record of performance and success.  And we are excited to bring their talents and expertise to our little corner of the world.

As a firm, we seek first to collaborate where possible and necessary, especially given the complexities of engaging in development work within an urban market such as downtown Phoenix.   As we brought our Portland Place project to the market, we felt it was important to honor the risks taken by those who preceded us, so we decided to create the Gold Spot Gallery – now the home of Pita Jungle‘s downtown location.  Our work on the Oasis on Grand project will strike a similar note, cued by the pioneering risks taken by the entrepreneurs, artists, gallery owners, and residents that call lower Grand Avenue home.  Without their work and inspiration, projects like Portland Place, the Lexington Hotel, and Oasis on Grand would not be a reality.

We strive, as always, to exceed expectations.  With each project, we strive to set the bar a little higher than before.  And we trust that our partners, co-conspirators, and supporters will hold us to that ever higher standard with every new endeavour.