Before it sat vacant for much of the past decade in the heart of Paradise Valley at 56th Street & Lincoln, the Mountain Shadows Resort was a playground for celebrities and tourists from around the world.  And locals too.  It seems everyone had a story about an event, a dip in the pool, a meal or a wonderful experience at the Valley landmark that closed in 2005.

While the 18-hole golf course on-site has continued to operate, including during the real estate downturn, with some 30,000 rounds of golf annually, crickets and even a lightning fire have been the hotel property’s most frequent guests of late.

That’s all set to change.  And the first indication can now be seen on-site as property owner Crown Realty & Development is paying to demolish acres of old hotel rooms, ballrooms and large pools to make way for a new hotel and residences.

The company also developed the award-winning Montelucia Resort & Spa up the street at Tatum & Lincoln.  An active Arizona investor, Crown is nearing agreements with a hotel operator and a homebuilder to bring new life to a property demanded by town residents and unanimously approved by the Paradise Valley Town Council last year.  The demolition of the Paradise Valley eyesore was a requirement of that approval.

Despite a severe real estate downturn Crown maintained ownership of the Mountain Shadows property, including funding of the popular golf course, and has since paid off all debts and obligations to allow for the timely development of one of Arizona’s finest pieces of real estate.