Golden Nugget Vacation Rentals Offer Renovated Units in Downtown Location
Within a half-block of Prescott’s downtown Courthouse Plaza, the Golden Nugget Plaza and Vacation Rental By Owners (VRBO) has emerged. Almost two-and-a-half years in the remaking, this nearly forgotten structure has been revitalized. With five businesses and two VRBOs, it is a thriving addition to the 200 block of South Montezuma.
The golden-colored building consists of 220-226 S. Montezuma, and has over 15,000 square feet. The second story contains the two newly renovated VRBOs. There is a portion of this property that is the old Moore’s Laundry and holds an amazing amount of Prescott history. The other portion of the Golden Nugget Plaza is 230-234 S. Montezuma and houses three more establishments.
Business partners Jason Orefice and Diane Clarke forged ahead with plans to renovate the second story of 224-226 S. Montezuma building even after they were told it was not possible and it should all be torn down. The old Moore’s Laundry building, which is on the backside of the property, was deemed unsafe by the city in December 2014, and Moore’s Laundry was forced to vacate.
Orefice, who grew up in Torrance, California, started his career in the Hollywood movie industry and always had an eye for making things look better. This led him to renovating houses and apartments in Southern California and then in Prescott. When he started talking to people about the renovation of South Montezuma, he was told, “The second story is not safe to habitate or even use for storage.” Orefice thought differently.
As a child, Clarke was raised in the construction industry and enjoyed building and remodeling throughout her life. She even fixed and flipped a boat while living aboard it for three years. When the Montezuma project was first presented, Clarke said, “It just needs a lot of TLC and money, that’s all,” and forged ahead to save the neglected structure and rehabilitate that part of South Montezuma.
The Golden Nugget VRBOs consist of two one-bedroom, 700-square-foot apartments, which sleep four guests each. They were completely gutted, reinforced, renovated and brought up to today’s modern codes with great care and attention to details. Each unit has a full kitchen and bath and its own rooftop deck with views of Thumb Butte.
The Peacock Room took shape because the building was built in the 1940s, and the aqua colors and furniture from that period were used. The Golden Nugget Suite is a throwback to 1880s Prescott, with the heavy red drapes and ornate gold fixtures. Trim wood in this suite came from another renovation on a 110-year-old home on Beach Street.
The Golden Nugget Plaza, on the west side of Montezuma, consists of the Coppertop Alehouse, A&E Reprographics, SofTech Computers, Jordyn Vixie Photography and Figgy’s Trading Post. Skipping over the parking area to the next building, you will find Soul Ride, /’Atmes,fir/ and TRAX Records.
The next project on the horizon for Orefice and Clarke is the old Moore’s Laundry building and speakeasy. This will be a huge undertaking, because the only surviving speakeasy is underneath it. Salvaging the site and the history of the speakeasy and the tunnels of Prescott will be of the utmost priority for generations to come and for the history of Prescott! Go to wayoutwestphotography.com/speakeasy to see photos.
