Development picks up in north Palm Springs

The north side of Palm Springs is seeing a lot of new construction including hotels, restaurants, and an entertainment venue.

“There is a whole lot of stuff popping up every time I visit, I visit about once a year, everything there is something new,” said Dan Lopez.

North Palm Canyon Drive is evolving especially near Vista Chino. The sound of hammers and construction equipment is ushering in the new Arrive hotel.

“It’s a new modern design, it’s a 32-room hotel. It’s the first new hotel being built in the city, actually being built from the ground up since 2004 so it’s pretty exciting,” said Palm Springs Director of Economic Development John Raymond. “It’s one of the catalysts of one of the many things that are happening downtown right now.”

The empty buildings around the new hotel and across the street are also being developed.

“When Arrive opens, there will be a couple other restaurants that their guests can also enjoy,” said Raymond.

North of Vista Chino, a building shuttered for over three years, Dink’s, will re-open next month as entertainment venue W Ultra Lounge.

The 15 room Palm Springs Hotel, is already open and already turning heads.

“They did such a good job, they are the No. 3 hotel on TripAdvisor in the city and they have only been open since November. Every new project paves the way for the next new project to come along,” said Raymond.

It’s momentum restaurateur Willie Rhine is hoping to be a part of.

“I think the uptown district caters to people who drive in from Los Angeles, mostly a young hip crowd. That’s what I want Eight4Nine to be,” said Rhine.

He’s converting what once was a post office turned art gallery into a modern restaurant and lounge.

“I believe this is a ground floor opportunity and uptown is just going to rock it,” said Rhine.

“That’s the sort of thing we saw with the Ace and Saguaro on the south end, now we are seeing that kind of activity and redevelopment happen on the north end,” said Raymond.