Music, Mattel, 12 restaurants: What to know about VAI, soon to be Arizona's biggest resort

It’s impossible to ignore the huge construction site when driving on Loop 101 near State Farm Stadium in Glendale, where construction crews are building what will be the largest resort in Arizona.

The resort, called VAI, is designed to host live music events and other performances. It has a wide variety of attractions planned, including a Mattel theme park, a sand beach, a party island, a tethered hot air balloon and a “sky bar.” The whole project is projected to cost about $1 billion to build.

How many rooms will VAI have?

The resort will have about 1,100 rooms across four towers, each with a different focus. The main building, the Muse Tower, offers rooms with balconies that overlook the performance stage, where visitors and their guests can watch a performance from their rooms. The other towers, called Rhythm, Cadence and VAI Villas, offer rooms catered to different demographics, including families or those looking for a more luxury experience. The VAI Villas tower has a 5,300-square-foot penthouse and infinity edge rooftop pools planned.

Who is developing the resort?

The development team is led by Grant Fisher, 27, whose family has owned Fisher Sand and Gravel in the Valley for decades. Fisher Sand and Gravel recently submitted an application to Phoenix to build a new headquarters in the southwest part of the city, which will serve as an office space for the sand and gravel operation as well as VAI.

What kind of restaurants will VAI Resort have?

The resort will have 12 different restaurants offering a variety of styles, including Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, and a signature steakhouse in the Muse tower. Fisher described the style of the steakhouse as having a “feminine flair,” during a tour with reporters at the property in May.

At the time, Fisher said VAI is working on deals with celebrity chefs but has not yet announced any formal partnerships. The resort will also have 10 bar and lounge locations throughout the property.

What will be at the Mattel Adventure Park?

The Mattel Adventure Park will feature a three-story Barbie Beach House, and rides and games based on Hot Wheels, Thomas the Tank Engine, Barbie, Masters of the Universe and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

What kind of performances will VAI host?

The centerpiece of the development is a $40 million music stage with an amphitheater and various suites and hotel rooms overlooking. The resort is expected to host concerts with more than 8,000 attendees. The stage is being designed to be “plug-and-play” for artists, so visiting acts can show up and have a fully equipped sound and lighting system, without having to bring their own equipment. In May, Fisher said the resort expects to host about 100 shows per year, or about two a week.

What will it cost to stay at VAI?

In May, Fisher said prices will vary depending on performances, seasons and other factors, but said rates can range from $500 to $900 per night depending on room size and other factors.

How much water will the development use?

The development is expected to use about 5 million gallons of water, including for the pools and the “swimming oasis,” Fisher said.

What is a party island?

The VAI swimming oasis will feature a “party island,” called Konos, named after the island of Mykonos in Greece. The island will have cabanas and daybeds, with VIP bottle service and a sky bar that is 130 feet in the air.

What kinds of stores will be at VAI?

No brands have been announced yet, but Fisher said many of the stores will be new to the Phoenix market and will have exclusive offerings at VAI.

When does VAI open?

Fisher said the resort was expected to open in mid to late 2024, later than planned, when asked about the opening in May. The opening will be phased, but Fisher said resort guests will not notice construction, which will be done internally to the closed buildings.

Reach the reporter at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter @CorinaVanek.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: VAI resort in Glendale, Arizona: Live music, Mattel park, sand beach