The Topock Marina on Old Route 66 in Topock, Ariz., will be replaced with a $14 million, 102-room hotel, spa, nightclub, microbrewery, restaurant, and conference center starting this fall, owner Chet Hitt told the Mojave Daily News.
Based on the new website, it will be rechristened as Topock 66 Spa & Resort.
Hitt plans to make the resort a year-around destination. “We make a living during the summer with the river business, but our goal is to make a living here in the winter,” Hitt said.
He explained how he plans to do that. There is no “nice hotel” on Interstate 40 “from Flagstaff to Barstow,” he said.
“So, that’s a draw. Route 66 is a huge draw. We get a lot of Europeans that come in who want to travel 66.” Hitt also figures the nearby heavily traveled Burlington Northern and Santa Fe tracks will attract railroad buffs. “How often do you get that close to a train?” he asked.
Pricewise, Hitt expects the resort to be “mid-range, based on what the market will bear.”
He hopes to build a big wedding catering business at the resort. There will also be river excursions and marsh fishing tours. In the future, Hitt plans to sell some time shares for resort rooms.
The Topock Marina is a popular stopping point for Route 66 and other travelers for a meal or a cold one on the banks of the Colorado River before crossing over into California. It’s listed in the “Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide,” published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation.
Hitt is planning a “demolition party” for the current Topock Marina structure on Sept. 20-23, in which he’ll give out pieces of the building as souvenirs. Hitt says he’ll save the beams of the main structure, which were once parts of an old bridge, to be incorporated into the new building.
Here’s a screen capture of an artist’s rendering of the complex:
He said some folks are unhappy that the old Topock Marina will be torn down. But he said the current building suffers from plumbing, electrical and structural issues. He plans to document the history of the building and other nearby sites into a small historical center on-site.
He plans to have the new Topock 66 Spa & Resort’s restaurant and bar open by March 2011, and the rest of the complex open by November or December of 2011.
UPDATE 10/6/2010: The demolition party commenced on Oct. 2, according to an article in the News-Herald of Lake Havasu City. Hitt said the first phase will be open by April 2011.
Can’t wait I’ve been staying at the Nautical Inn since the 70’s but it seems things are going to change.Close enough to to Lake Havasu and far enough.You guys hit the bull’s eye. Yahoo!!!!!!!! Mariano Manteca
Too bad the managers and owner can’t respond professionally to job inquiries.
This is such a shame! I have been going there since I was born, it will never be the same.
I would love to have a beach area also. I doesn’t look like there is a beach in any of the photo drawings I think you will be unhappy there isn’t a beach. I know if I was staying there I would enjoy one.
I have been going to Topock since the dredge ran up and down the gorge, when you could go back into the small waterways in the rocks and explore the tule’s for all kinds of animals,wild pigs, mountain goats etc. Devils Elbow had a huge sand bar that shot down river and now we don’t appreciate it enough to slow down and care for those ahead us so we get a no wake zone, I think it is time for the Topock Marina to provide a place to relax and have some fun on the river and enjoy the things that mother nature put here for us to enjoy.It is sad that the building that I grew up with will no longer be there but all things must change or we become stale and unable to compete and isn’t that what the good old USA is about, TOPOCK 66 WELCOME
Hope they put in a beach and a casino i will not have to go to avi any more GO TOPOCK 66 Can’t wait
Good luck with this idea, but don’t believe it will attract people who wish to stay the night. They should have just refurbished the bar and marina.
I haven’t seen any updates? What’s going on the the progress. It’s already almost a year past the 1st phase completion estimate.
I really miss the old bar!
TRUTH RiverRat!!! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!?!?!?
I live right here in Topock. Nothing has happened for over a year. Just a big pile of dirt where a good time once stood. For those of you waiting for an update, there is absolutely nothing to report. It is at a standstill. Bring back our bar!!
We drive there after reading all of the articles about this place from Havasu. What a disappointment! Super hungry for this executive chef pizza. Didnt want a darned cheeseburger or chicken sandwich philly steak for 11.95 and fries not included (xtra 5.95). The menu was 8.5×11 one side. Drove back home and ate at Barley Bros. Call before making the drive! What a farce and dreamer! Will maybe consider whenever it may get done.