Missouri's first Moxy Hotel boasts a rooftop bar and unconventional amenities

Correction: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect address for the hotel. It is located at 430 South Ave .

Moxy Hotels, part of Marriot, has announced the opening of Moxy Springfield Downtown, the first location of its kind in the state of Missouri. Operated by O'Reilly Hospitality Management, the 98-bedroom Moxy Hotel is located at 430 South Ave. It features a 3,300 square-foot rooftop bar and restaurant and 1,800 square-foot basement which can both be booked for private events.

"If you look at where these are located, the fact that Missouri got one is a big deal," said Susan Smith, managing captain at Moxy Springfield Downtown.

According to Smith, the Moxy Springfield Downtown is location number 40 for Marriot. Moxy "breaks the rules" of conventional hotel stays across the globe, with properties in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Cities with a Moxy Hotel include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, and Houston, among others. Moxy Springfield Downtown is Missouri's first Moxy Hotel.

According to Smith, the hotel's key demographic is "fun-hunters" between the ages of 35 and 55. The Moxy Springfield Downtown includes a vibrant lobby space with daily programming and check-in at the Bar Moxy, the hotel bar. Smith says guests are greeted with a complimentary cocktail, a Moxy Highball, upon arrival (they're also welcome to the jar of candy at the bar).

Nearby, Moxy’s 24/7 grab and go self-service concept also gives guests access to fresh juice, coffee, flatbreads, and salads whenever they're feeling hungry. The Bar Moxy features craft cocktails and local brews as well as an Echelon Coffee Bar. As for restaurants, Moxy features a unique "jazz-barbecue" dive called The Subterranean in the basement, where guests can enjoy live music. Go up eight floors, and the hotel boasts the 3,300 square-foot Eyrie Rooftop Bar & Kitchen. Both spaces can be rented out for private events.

"It's kind of three different, distinct experiences within one," O'Reilly said. "I think it's different than all of our other hotels, for sure."

Communal engagement is at the center of the Moxy experience. The library is where it all happens, changing its vibe throughout the day to give guests a fresh space to work or gather. It features ambient lighting, graffiti art walls, power and USB outlets, free WiFi, and even board games. Guests can work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, plug in their device or instrument in the lobby to entertain friends, or mingle at the Bar Moxy.

Bedrooms are marketed as "functional, flexible, and uncluttered" with (minimal) foldaway furniture so guests can personalize their rooms to suit their needs. Rooms feature 55-inch Netflix-enabled LCD flat-screen televisions, high quality sound systems, and free WiFi. When it's time for some shut-eye, bedrooms feature a bedtime stories button from the telephone to help guests doze off. For those who like to take a hotel souvenir, don't worry: the hanging art in rooms double as tear-away posters to take home.

"Because it's all about the communal space," Smith said. "They want people out of the room, and they want them down here."

The sleeping arrangements aren't traditional either. You'll notice upon entry that the rooms lack some furniture, such as a couch or dresser to encourage guests to get out and engage. If you find yourself needing towels or other toiletries, help yourself to a "stash closet" located conveniently on each floor.

According to Smith, Moxy Hotels started in Germany before the chain was purchased by Marriot. But Springfield's newest hotel should feel just like home: the decor incorporates local art and knick-knacks to keep the hotel grounded in the community. O'Reilly said the hotel's theme is centered around taking part in the adventure of the Ozarks. The lobby includes a map of Ozarks waterways and a set of Ozark Daredevils-themed elevators, to name a few pieces.

"The thing about Moxy is that they are very involved in the community," Smith said. "You'll see lots of things that are part of the Springfield or Ozark area."

The hotel is housed in the eight-story former Medical Arts Building, once occupied by Great Southern Bank and Penmac. The building incorporates many original features — such as penny tile floors, crown molding, a directory and mail chute — into the Moxy's industrial and eclectic design. According to Tim O'Reilly, CEO of O'Reilly Hospitality, the former Medical Arts building was built in 1928-1930. During that era, it was filled to capacity with doctors, dentists, and other medical offices. Now, it's ready for guests of the Moxy.

"We're really proud of the outcome," O'Reilly said. "We think it's a real addition to downtown Springfield, a real positive addition."

About O’Reilly Hospitality Management

Founded in 2007 by Tim O'Reilly, O'Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC is a hospitality firm specializing in design, development, and staffing of hotels, restaurants, and commercial properties for various national and independent brands. The company manages 35 existing sites.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri's first Moxy Hotel boasts a rooftop bar and unconventional amenities