Room to Grow
Hacienda Del Sol Undergoes $9.6 Million Expansion By Mary Minor Davis Five weeks before the COVID-19 epidemic was declared, the owners of Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort had secured financing and signed development contracts to begin a $9.6 million expansion of the property – the second largest such project in less than 10 years. Just as the ink was drying, parts of the world went into quarantine and everything in the U.S. seemed to stop in its tracks. Well, almost everything. Tom Firth, managing partner for the Hacienda, decided that commitments needed to be met, and work had to continue to keep people employed and the project on track. “There were a lot of unknowns,” he said. “The tourism industry wasn’t predicted to return until 2022. We weren’t 130 BizTucson
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Summer 2021
sure if we were going to become a bankowned property.” In 2016, the Hacienda embarked upon its first major multi-million-dollar expansion in half a century. In addition to major property upgrades, 32 Catalina rooms and suites were built in six twostory buildings. Outdoor showers were new features in several guest rooms. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from guests on the Catalina rooms, so we wanted to create something that had a village feel to it but also complimented other development that stayed true to the look and feel of the Hacienda,” he said. Rincon Ridge Village added 40 queen and king bedrooms with most boasting views of the Rincon Mountains, and sporting outdoor shower facilities.
“There’s just something so refreshing about outdoor showers,” Firth said, “especially when you’re looking out at the mountains.” The Hacienda’s tradition of showcasing local artists continues with many additional indoor and outdoor art pieces displayed throughout this latest expansion. Longtime interior designers Rene and Judy Tinsley returned to inject their signature hand-painted accents. The rooms also feature custom furniture designed and provided through Antiqua Mexico. Other contractors included Frank Mascia with CDG Architects and general contractor Chestnut Construction. Just north of the entrance to the Hacienda is a 3,400-square-foot home recently purchased to become The Spa at www.BizTucson.com
