A stone and marble staircase adorns the main entrance into the Castle

Many years of planning have gone into the rehabilitation of the Castle, and the project is intricate and complicated. The first step was to remove lead and asbestos from the Castle’s exteriors and interiors. The city now is stabilizing or upgrading the building’s tunnels, basement and structure to allow public visitation.

The rehabilitation includes replacing the roof; rehabilitating historic windows; removing a modern spray stucco coat and restoring the original stucco exteriors; installing fire sprinklers and new plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems; reworking patios and entries; and fully restoring the interior.

A time-line of activities relating to Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden Park restoration is listed below:

1989 – 2000  

1989 Bond Issue passes allocating $5 million to purchase land and begin garden restoration.

Site listed on Phoenix Historic Property Register in 1990.

Historic Building Assessment for Castle completed in 1991

Acquisition of land, beginning with 7.6 acres in 1993.  Additional land purchases in 1996 and 1997. 

1994 Historical Documentation Project completed, including oral histories, photos and archival research.
City awarded $500,000 ISTEA grant from the Federal Highway Administration for additional land purchases/billboard removal.
1996 listing of site on National Register of Historic Places.
Phase I garden restoration and stone wall/gate restoration completed in 1997.
Conceptual Historic Interpretative Plan developed 2000.

2001 - 2005
2001 Bond Program passed including $4.5 million for additional land purchases and castle restoration.
Major land purchases in 2001, 2002 and 2003, with nearly 44 acres acquired and only two small parcels outstanding from original historical site.
Private fundraising raises additional monies for Castle restoration.

Restoration plan developed and finalized for Tovrea Castle
City Council approves Master Plan in 2003
Public site tours held in Spring 2005.

Phase I asbestos/lead abatement of Castle in 2005

2005 - 2009

Phase II cactus garden restoration complete
Phase II restoration of Castle begins in 2007 with completion slated for 2009.

Plans underway to finalize design of parking arrangements, trail development and historic interpretation.

2010 and future 

Because of budget reductions in spring 2010 necessitated by the severe economic downturn, plans to begin operations and opening the castle and grounds are on hold. The city of Phoenix is working hard to identify partners that may be able to assist with operations of the site.

Obtain funding for permanent visitor’s center/restrooms, machine shop re-construction (for public event space), and restoration of historic outbuildings and site features.

Additional garden restoration work ongoing.

Obtain funding for full trail development/completion and installation of permanent trail and interior interpretative panels on site.
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