Scottsdale DRB approves Fairmont Scottsdale Princess expansion: conference center, guest wing and bungalows

The Scottsdale Development Review Board voted Sept. 25, 2025, to approve several Fairmont Scottsdale Princess development applications, including plans for a new conference center, a guest wing and new villas and bungalows, after a presentation by the applicant’s attorney.

Tom Galvin of Rose Law Group presented the project on behalf of the applicant, identifying it as an expansion that includes “adding 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a new ballroom of 25,000 square feet” and a new guest wing of 155 rooms with 31 underground parking spaces. Galvin said the project also replaces an event lawn with 37 villas and six bungalows and relocates the event lawn to the center of the conference center. He noted an adjacent parking garage approved in 2023 is now open and contains 949 spaces.

Councilman Adam Quasman (chair) moved to approve cases 38DR2022 (multiple subcases) and 14DR2024 “per the staff recommended stipulations after finding that the development applications meet the applicable Development Review Board criteria.” A second was recorded. The roll‑call vote recorded yes votes from Councilman Quasman, Vice Chair Brand, Commissioner Joiner, Board Member Peazer and Board Member Meehan; the motion passed.

During the hearing board members praised the design. Vice Chair Brand said the project’s scale “warranted a presentation at the hearing,” and Commissioner Joiner commended the investment in Scottsdale. Councilman Quasman said the project was “gorgeous.” The approvals were taken with the staff‑recommended stipulations and the finding that the applications met DRB criteria; the transcript notes that an Old Town finding referenced earlier applied to a prior case and did not apply here.

The board recorded an earlier consent motion to approve case 14DR2024 (a separate action on the consent agenda) by roll call; that consent vote likewise passed. The approvals at this meeting were procedural actions taken after the applicant’s presentation; the transcript records no changes to the staff‑recommended stipulations and no amendment motions to the approved plans.

The transcript does not specify construction start dates or additional permitting milestones; those details were not discussed in this meeting.