Phoenix CityScape Thread

[AZScraper]

This too on AZCentral.com
Wow-speechless, good for PHX?

The developer of the downtown Phoenix office and retail project CityScape has received a $12 million loan from a Hispanic organization's community development agency for construction of the Hotel Palomar.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2011/07/21/20110721cityscape-hotel-loan-hispanic-organization.html#ixzz1Sl3lahDQ

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2011/07/21/20110721cityscape-hotel-loan-hispanic-organization.html

[Luke Skyscraper]

So can anyone see if the elevator core in the Palomer went higher, it does it appear to be getting capped?

[renone]

The entire level bumped up just like it used to. The eleveator core went up another level and then brought another floor up below it. I can't see that they are doing anything differently than before. They are out working on the top level right now, the tower crane has been going all morning, so we might be able to see if they are going to bump it up again soon.

[renone]

Nice article by Sam Fox of Fox Restaurants. I hope he is right that the All Star is just the beginning, and not our high water mark.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/07/25/20110725fox25-phoenix-all-star-game.html

[nickw252]

After going to Tilted Kilt for the first time, here are my thoughts. First, the entrance is poorly marked. I walked from the west and came up the escalators and completely missed the entrance. It's back in the corner and the trees were blocking the sign. After i came up the east elevator I found it. This just goes back to the poor design of cityscape. Aside from that, I enjoyed the patio which was kept cool and breezy with the fans. The place was busy but by 7pm it was clearing out. To be fair, it was on a thursday and there was a Dbacks game. The food and drinks were good but expensive. They need some weekday happy hour specials. I'll definitely go back but i can't afford a $60 bill for after work drinks and appetizers very often.

[westbev93]

The manager at Tilted Kilt told me that they are waiting to see what their customers order before creating a happy hour menu. He said it would be a few more weeks before they roll something out.

[Vicelord John]

After going to Tilted Kilt for the first time, here are my thoughts. First, the entrance is poorly marked. I walked from the west and came up the escalators and completely missed the entrance. It's back in the corner and the trees were blocking the sign. After i came up the east elevator I found it. This just goes back to the poor design of cityscape. Aside from that, I enjoyed the patio which was kept cool and breezy with the fans. The place was busy but by 7pm it was clearing out. To be fair, it was on a thursday and there was a Dbacks game. The food and drinks were good but expensive. They need some weekday happy hour specials. I'll definitely go back but i can't afford a $60 bill for after work drinks and appetizers very often.

damn, $60? You drink a lot. :haha:

[gymratmanaz]

Can anyone tell how many floors we are at now? Are we above the stated number of hotel floors and moving up?????

[Vicelord John]

Looks like some insecure loser is stealthily deleting my posts.

Chris, there are 96 floors.

[gymratmanaz]

new tallest, cool! ;)

[renone]

It's hard to tell how many floors because several of the floors are now covered with the siding. I think this latest floor was 11. The thing I keep waiting for is for the tower crane to get bumped. It's still at the same level. I don't know much about tower cranes (or anything else), but I would think it has to bump pretty soon if they keep going up.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5978544866_12c130b7a6_b.jpg

[AZScraper]

http://i53.tinypic.com/30w5ywy.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/23v0uj5.jpg:cheers:
pouring concrete this morning.

[gymratmanaz]

Went down to look around.

Talked to the Strand owner. They will open in October. he seemed very excited to get in.

Crane busy. Cement flowing. looks like elevator for 12th, I think.

All lunch places and Oakville, nice and steady busy even before the main lunch wave, which hit hard when i was leaving.

Across at Luhrs... I will post there too, in case. I talked to the main architect.

Installing two huge awnings on the West side of the East Luhrs Tower. The plan is for them to be above two large entrances to the corner ground floor space. They are holding and hoping it to be a nice restaurant.

They are keeping all ground floor spaces for resturants.

Two set tenants are Subway and also a Cigar Bar.

Hippies place is out.

They talked to Bob at LGO...possible interest, but just in initial talks

[HX_Guy]

Build permit for Silk Sushi was issued yesterday.

[gymratmanaz]

I forget where it is going?

[AZScraper]

g8wrRvNvuKY
@5:40, crappy BlackBerry Storm2 vid. :whatthefuck:

[nickw252]

Great video, can I get a job in your building? :D

I took this at lunch today:

http://i55.tinypic.com/20fp2du.jpg

[dtnphx]

How Red Development sold this spot as a park (Patriot's) is hilarious! I've seen auto dealerships with more park-like qualities

[Leo the Dog]

How Red Development sold this spot as a park (Patriot's) is hilarious! I've seen auto dealerships with more park-like qualities

It'll probably be an under-utilized urban space, but I think it's still better than what was there before.

[dtnphx]

It'll probably be an under-utilized urban space, but I think it's still better than what was there before.

You're absolutely right, way better than what was there, but not really a park. It's just a so-so plaza. The retail mix is very good though.

[RichTempe]

Anyone know why the crown on the "Alliance Bank" tower remains red all the time now rather than cycling through various colors like it used to? (Red for Red Development?)

[Vicelord John]

Because they are lame... It changes every now and then for special events but it's been red from day 1.

[HooverDam]

The Old John Hancock Tower here in Boston has a lighted top that tells the weather, with the help a cute little poem that helps you decode it:

Steady Blue: Clear View
Flashing Blue: Change is Due
Steady Red: Rain Ahead
Flashing Red: Snow Instead

CityScape should've done something similar, that would've been neat.

All in all the buildings in Downtown PHX do an awful job with their nighttime illumination which is sad.

[Vicelord John]

Yup I didn't even know B of A had illumination until it was turned off one night

[dtnphx]

The Old John Hancock Tower here in Boston has a lighted top that tells the weather, with the help a cute little poem that helps you decode it:

Steady Blue: Clear View
Steady Red: Change is Due
Steady Red: Rain Ahead
Steady Red: Snow Instead

CityScape should've done something similar, that would've been neat.

All in all the buildings in Downtown PHX do an awful job with their nighttime illumination which is sad.

OK, here's Phoenix's poem for the Cityscape Tower colors:

Steady Red: No rain in sight
Steady Red: I'll be over 90 tonight
Steady Red: Tommorow it's scorching hot
Steady Red: In only December it's not

:jester:

[phoenixheadphones]

Phoenix's CityScape: La Crepe Nanou, Huey's 24/7 drop out
by Howard Seftel - Aug. 2, 2011 02:03 PM
Republic restaurant critic

Two more restaurants have dropped out of the CityScape lineup in downtown Phoenix.

Spokeswoman Robyn Young confirms that La Crepe Nanou and Huey's 24/7 are no longer in the mix. Both are part of New Orleans-based Doyle Restaurant Group, and had been scheduled to open earlier this year. Another DRG restaurant, BrewPublic Craft House, pulled out several months ago.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2011/08/02/20110802phoenix-cityscape-la-crepe-nanou-hueys-247-drop-out.html#ixzz1TuNFSb9K


Its a drag about the 24 hour diner, though that always seemed kind of pie-in-the-sky to me.

[phxSUNSfan]

Phoenix's CityScape: La Crepe Nanou, Huey's 24/7 drop out
by Howard Seftel - Aug. 2, 2011 02:03 PM
Republic restaurant critic

Two more restaurants have dropped out of the CityScape lineup in downtown Phoenix.

Spokeswoman Robyn Young confirms that La Crepe Nanou and Huey's 24/7 are no longer in the mix. Both are part of New Orleans-based Doyle Restaurant Group, and had been scheduled to open earlier this year. Another DRG restaurant, BrewPublic Craft House, pulled out several months ago.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2011/08/02/20110802phoenix-cityscape-la-crepe-nanou-hueys-247-drop-out.html#ixzz1TuNFSb9K


Its a drag about the 24 hour diner, thought that always seemed kind of pie-in-the-sky to me.

I was really looking forward to a 24 hour dining option available at CityScape. :tantrum:

However, the article states that restaurants replacing those three will be announced soon...we shall see.

[AZScraper]

New pix of "Alliance Bank"[Dumb Name-and don't like] building is putting up new letters on the 28th floor east side soon. These Babies arrived early this morning. Enjoy.

http://i55.tinypic.com/2rf9do6.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2z3zbds.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/24pw682.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/14dqeeu.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/2lbn6uf.jpg

(I didn't have time to make out all the letters for the name, I'll leave that to you guys for now-I might take a second look later). :notacrook:

[gymratmanaz]

The letters pictures don't spell out Alliance Bank??????

[combusean]

No, but they do spell United Healthcare.

[Vicelord John]

Phoenix's CityScape: La Crepe Nanou, Huey's 24/7 drop out
by Howard Seftel - Aug. 2, 2011 02:03 PM
Republic restaurant critic

Two more restaurants have dropped out of the CityScape lineup in downtown Phoenix.

Spokeswoman Robyn Young confirms that La Crepe Nanou and Huey's 24/7 are no longer in the mix. Both are part of New Orleans-based Doyle Restaurant Group, and had been scheduled to open earlier this year. Another DRG restaurant, BrewPublic Craft House, pulled out several months ago.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2011/08/02/20110802phoenix-cityscape-la-crepe-nanou-hueys-247-drop-out.html#ixzz1TuNFSb9K


Its a drag about the 24 hour diner, though that always seemed kind of pie-in-the-sky to me.

I guaranteed this would happen several months ago.

[gymratmanaz]

I wonder if they will go forward with the plan of Lucky Strike taking the other half of the upstairs. Been told that by Stand Up Live people and from Lucky Strike managers too.

[Vicelord John]

Give me a U!

U!!!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/haulasshyena/DSC_46921.jpg

[combusean]

The jumble of letters makes me think of the stuff people have on their fridge. It's in almost the same font as some of the old ones too. Thanks you guys for the cool shots. =)

[phxSUNSfan]

Give me a U!

U!!!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/haulasshyena/DSC_46921.jpg


LMAO! Thank you for the laugh :haha:, been having a miserable week.

[nickw252]

I guaranteed this would happen several months ago.

http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/cleo6.jpg

[plinko]

Multiple logos on that building? Uggghhhh....maybe they can put another one on one of the mid-level floors too...just for fun.

[combusean]

The tower is utterly plastered with logowork on the second floor or so.

[Leo the Dog]

AZScraper, very cool photos, thanks. :cheers:

[Vicelord John]

The sign is fully installed

[renone]

More action on the elevator core. It looks like they are going up another level, same as always.

In other news, the tower crane over the new courthouse is down.

[AZScraper]

The sign is fully installed

Not just yet, I took this 5mins. ago...:cool:
http://i56.tinypic.com/j183z8.jpg
Still need the "RE"

[gymratmanaz]

Hard to be sure, but looking from tower 1, looks like they have the elevator core going into floor 13. The hotel was slated for 11 floors, right?

Signs in the window across the street, a Verizon store is going in in October. It is going in where that Workbench place was.

[nickw252]

Hard to be sure, but looking from tower 1, looks like they have the elevator core going into floor 13. The hotel was slated for 11 floors, right?

Signs in the window across the street, a Verizon store is going in in October. It is going in where that Workbench place was.

It's hard to tell because of the scaffolding but I counted 9 floors last time I looked. If the elevator core is going up two more floors that may just put it at 11 or 12 for roof access.

[plinko]

^you'd have to go back and look at the permit, but I thought the last structural change to the permit said 13 stories? HX, do you remember (I don't feel like looking through 250 pages of posts to find it)

[gymratmanaz]

HX and I were just talking, and we recall there being 11 floors of hotel. We figure maybe 1 more for access, so it is is going into 13m then maybe there is something we don't know or missed a permit somehow. Anyone else able to get a floor count. I counted 10 complete and it looked like from above that there were another 2 plus of elevator core added above that. ???????

[Vicelord John]

Cell phone stores are a good sign. The AT&T store couldn't make it though

[renone]

Its hard to tell, but I count 11 completed floors and they are working on number 12.

[gymratmanaz]

Reonoe.....can you get a bull horn and yell out your window and ask someone on the site? :)

[HX_Guy]

Chris...we didn't miss any permits. ;) With these things, there are usually more than one permit associated with it so it would be hard to miss something like them adding floors. There was first be a review permit or revision permit review and then an actual build/construction permit.

There have been two sets of permits going through the process the whole time...one set was for the South Podium Levels 1 - 3 and for the South Tower Hotel Levels 4 - 11.

There is definitely nothing about building above Level 11 soooo...I don't know.

[gymratmanaz]

Maybe the construction guys are a bunch of rule breakers, rebels. LOL :)

[AZScraper]

This guy under the Rainbow umbrella had been welding these poles all morning.
Might be the top?

http://i51.tinypic.com/2py26gl.jpg
I haven't seen that happening on the other levels?
Ideas? :tup:

[HX_Guy]

Are you referring to the ones laying down or the nubs along the western side?

[AZScraper]

Western side, bottom right corner of pic, see the unbrella?

[PHX31]

Thanks for the pic AZScraper. I don't think it would be the top, since the elevator core extends at least a floor higher than that already.

There was some sort of break btwn the hotel portion and whatever used to be planned on top. Maybe those posts are for some sort of break or transition to the higher floors. (hopeful thinking).

[HX_Guy]

My guy over at RED is saying there is nothing new as of right now, just that they are still trying to the part above the hotel worked out...so it's not even a done deal, let alone having permits for it. I could see them building up to a certain point and then stopping for a while, similar to how they stopped for a long while once they had 3 floors done.

[gymratmanaz]

and..... We wait. :)

[PhxDowntowner]

What if that was a hotel balcony/vista area, even if they build higher and put apartments above it.

[HX_Guy]

Restaurant group slates 2 CityScape openings

2 comments by Emily Gersema - Aug. 3, 2011 11:44 AM
The Arizona Republic

CityScape in downtown Phoenix will soon welcome two restaurants by Maven Hospitality Group of Tempe - one that will serve Italian food and another that will serve sushi in a chophouse style.

Jimmy Carlin, a partner at Maven Hospitality, told media at a Downtown Phoenix Partnership-sponsored tasting this week that Strand, the "fast casual" Italian restaurant, likely will open on Oct. 1.

Carlin said the restaurant will feature an Italian fry bread, "cizzellini," as well as pastas, salads and sandwiches. It will be a seven-day-a-week restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cocktails will also be served, he said.

Strand will be next to Arrogant Butcher near the northwest corner of Jefferson and First streets.

The sushi restaurant under construction will be called Silk and is near Oakville Grocery underneath the Hotel Palomar at Central Avenue and Jefferson Street. Silk will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, with a cocktail menu.

Carlin said that although people have questioned whether it's really possible to serve sushi chophouse style, he believes Maven will achieve it.

The two restaurants mark the first in downtown Phoenix for Carlin.

He said both Maven restaurants will be open late at night.

Silk will probably open sometime in December, he said.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2011/08/03/20110803phoenix-cityscape-2-new-restaurants.html#ixzz1USRk4o7a

I don't know who the guy is that commented in the Comments section, but he makes a good point and maybe knows something we don't?

ColdwaterInstitute Aug-03 @ 7:04 PM Report abuse | Reply01

Culinary Supersaturation is occurring down there - they should be building thousands of units of residential housing... the apartments above the Hotel Palomar will help, and it's nice to see that 44 Monroe is now >60% full and is projected to be 100% full by October. Retail follows rooftops, but right now it looks like food is following fools... simple math will show that with 160 restaurants between I-10 and the railroad tracks, 7th St to 7th Av (120 alone in the old "copper square" bounds), you're going to need a lot more people down there to keep the businesses open.

[Vicelord John]

ColdwaterInstitute makes the obvious point.

Anyone who hasn't been thinking of the impending restaurant turnover at Cityscape, hasn't been thinking hard enough. I still can't believe ROC and Designer District, and that other one by CVS are making any money.

[combusean]

For what it's worth, there's no place to get Italian food downtown.

As for the apartments, the only thing anybody knows about this project is in the building permit system. Having watched this scene for almost seven years any developer intent and insider speculation is just that. The only thing concrete is what the trucks bring in for construction, and even that isn't guaranteed to be something.

The fits and spurts of this project and Industrial Development Authority/Chicanos por la Causa funds just to build the hotel are signs of desperation by the developers and last-ditch efforts by power players. There is financing available, in theory at least, to build infill apartments in central city locations but if any of that were here to build CityScape's upper floors we'd have heard about such an agreement already and there would be activity in the permit system. There is neither, only a developer intent in the phasing permits.

Whether they can work out the logistics to build on top of the hotel after it's open is best left for the construction experts on this board. Plinko? PHX31? Thoughts?

[DowntownDweller]

Our new signage looks great. If I'm still here come Oct I shall have a view to the SE from my "gasp" cube on the 8th floor. I will not like losing a spacious office for a cube even if I have a nice view.

[Vicelord John]

Our new signage looks great. If I'm still here come Oct I shall have a view to the SE from my "gasp" cube on the 8th floor. I will not like losing a spacious office for a cube even if I have a nice view.

What are you talking about????

[DowntownDweller]

What are you talking about????

The newly installed signage at the top and ground floors of City Scape.

[Vicelord John]

The newly installed signage at the top and ground floors of City Scape.

I figured you were referring to that but I was thrown off by the use of "our."

[Crispy]

ColdwaterInstitute makes the obvious point.

Anyone who hasn't been thinking of the impending restaurant turnover at Cityscape, hasn't been thinking hard enough. I still can't believe ROC and Designer District, and that other one by CVS are making any money.

I don't know about the restaurants but I've been told that the retail tenats were given VERY favorable terms.

[Vicelord John]

I don't know about the restaurants but I've been told that the retail tenats were given VERY favorable terms.

Even with very favorable terms, you can't feed your family unless you're moving products.

[PhxER]

Yogurtini's Grand Opening
To celebrate Yogurtini's franchise expansion, Yogurtini's CityScape location will be giving out FREE self-serve frozen yogurt on Friday, August 12 from 11:00 am – 2:00 p.m.

Link (http://www.thestreet.com/story/11215937/1/yogurtini-self-serve-frozen-yogurt-franchise-announces-new-store-grand-opening-at-cityscape-in-phoenix-az-with-a-free-fro-yo-party.html)

[AZScraper]

The rails look like it's the top or just deco?
Is this the top of the elevator shaft where the motors go?
http://i54.tinypic.com/2e53x20.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/34j3y95.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/qsrqtk.jpg
Raindow Umbrella Welder Man doing his thing ^

[gymratmanaz]

Might be a temporary finish, cause there still are rebar columns sticking up to be added to.

[AZScraper]

Might be a temporary finish, cause there still are rebar columns sticking up to be added to.

That's what I was thinking too...:yes:

[HX_Guy]

Are the elevator core molds still somewhere on the site?

[gymratmanaz]

Just back from Copper Blues for happy hour. Packed and a ton of fun!!!

[HX_Guy]

Might be a temporary finish, cause there still are rebar columns sticking up to be added to.

Not just rebar columns...but a whole other floor of elevator core. There will be at least one more floor since they are only 10 so far and the hotel goes to #11.

Anyone know what they are building to the left of the elevator core? That raised platform looking thing.

[gymratmanaz]

Bar area

Small pool

poorly located stage

storage closet

raised area for the elevator that is only for the apartments above

?????

[Vicelord John]

Light up halo is my guess

[gymratmanaz]

Bar area

Small pool

poorly located stage

storage closet

raised area for the elevator that is only for the apartments above

?????

[HX_Guy]

Anyone with a view from the top that can give us some details on what they are doing up there? I see on the webcam that the crane is in use but can't tell what it's doing.

[Vicelord John]

I'm pretty sure Rasputin, Crepe Nanou, and Huey's are out of the question now.

I just wanted to re-quote this from May.

I'm doubted or ignored enough, but am almost always right. :tup:

[HX_Guy]

Still mentioning a 34 story building huh?

Hiring at Kimpton Palomar Hotel beginning in Phoenix
Phoenix Business Journal - by Lynn Ducey

The Kimpton Hotel Palomar may not be quite finished yet, but the company is starting to solicit applications for positions at the Downtown Phoenix property.

Construction crews are still building the skeleton of downtown’s newest hotel, the Kimpton Palomar Hotel at CityScape, but a hiring push seems to be on.
The hotel is being built on the southeastern edge of the CityScape complex that sits on a block spanning Jefferson and Washington Streets between First and Central Avenues in Central Phoenix.
Once finished, the hotel will be San Francisco-based Kimpton’s second property in the Valley. Kimpton also operates the FireSky Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, 4925 N. Scottsdale Road.
The downtown property will offer 250 rooms in a 34-story tower as part of the CityScape complex. Even though the building is just open floors of concrete and steel, Kimpton is hiring staff for the new hotel.
Open positions include general manager of the property, director of sales and marketing, sales manager, director of catering and conference services, executive chef and general manager for a to-be-announced signature restaurant.
According HCareers.com, a human resources website aimed at the hospitality industry, people hired for the positions are expected to start in October and January.
A Kimpton spokeswoman declined to discuss the hiring push and would only say the hotel is on target to open in either June or July of 2012.
But with a July unemployment rate of 9.4 percent in Arizona, any newly created positions are a welcome addition to the Valley’s workforce landscape.

[dtnphx]

Hiring at Kimpton Palomar Hotel beginning in Phoenix
Phoenix Business Journal - by Lynn Ducey


She took that from their web page. They never update it and they're too lazy to check it out. If they are building atop the hotel I doubt it would be that tall. Maybe 22-25 stories.

[Vicelord John]

What the fuck..........

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/haulasshyena/b2496d7f.jpg

[HX_Guy]

Uhh...are they installing a huge banner on the side of the building? Thats...different.

Would be interesting if they turn the whole building into a huge advertising billboard... a one building "Times Square"? :P:shrug::koko:

[gymratmanaz]

IS THAT A BEGINNING OF AN AD?....Maybe - Your Home is Here! .... for apartments.....or what the heck is it? HX...RED contact know anything?

[Vicelord John]

Now we know how RED is paying te bills. The Arte Moreno approach.

[HX_Guy]

Sooo...Starbucks is still happening huh?

Permit# LPRT-1102352 Issue Date 8/24/11 Expires 8/23/12
Permit Description STARBUCKS - T.I. REMODEL
Project 06-5309 CITYSCAPE

[Buckeye Native 001]

I know this is stupid to ask (keep in mind I don't currently live in Phoenix)...but why is Cityscape getting a Starbucks when there's a perfectly good one at the base of the Wyndham, or is that one going to move down to Cityscape?

[Jsmscaleros]

You kidding? Some intersections in big cities might have a Starbucks on all four corners. Seen it with me own eyeballs in both NYC and London.

[Phxguy]

I know this is stupid to ask (keep in mind I don't currently live in Phoenix)...but why is Cityscape getting a Starbucks when there's a perfectly good one at the base of the Wyndham, or is that one going to move down to Cityscape?

Ehh.. in Downtown Hamburg there was 6 Starbucks on 2 blocks. And these were small blocks too. So it may not be as stupid as you think. Honestly, I'm sick of star bucks and rather have a local coffee shop expand there.

[HX_Guy]

I'm all for local too but still end up usually going to Starbucks because it's consistent. I never know how strong they will make their lattes at the local places and have actually started to not visit them as regularly because of it. Starbucks always tastes the same no matter which one you go to.

[PHX31]

I've never had a sip of coffee in my life, so Starbucks doesn't excite me. I was hoping for a different permit.

[Vicelord John]

I've never had a sip of coffee in my life, so Starbucks doesn't excite me. I was hoping for a different permit.

Wow!!!!!!!

[plinko]

^Neither have I. I think coffee smells like rotten feet.

[gymratmanaz]

Does it say where it will be located? I am not sure if it places the specific parcel?

[PHX31]

I actually like the smell of most coffee beans, but coffee breath is one of the most vile smells on the planet, so I've refrained.

[phxSUNSfan]

That big, stupid banner on the side of the tower is for CenturyLink (formerly Qwest). Looks awful but I guess CityScape's moto is: "Whatever brings in some cash!"

[combusean]

I think it's downright retarded how many Starbucks downtown Phoenix has. I think I've been to one of them once in the last 6 years.

[combusean]

You kidding? Some intersections in big cities might have a Starbucks on all four corners. Seen it with me own eyeballs in both NYC and London.

Downtown Phoenix is neither NYC nor London. The pedestrian density here is a tiny fraction of those cities.

[westbev93]

I'm all for local too but still end up usually going to Starbucks because it's consistent.

On that topic--can at least one local coffee shop realize that some people work early and like coffee early? Starbucks is the only place open at 6am. I understand that the tragically hip who frequent Lux/Cartel/Giant probably don't want to be up that early, but some of us actually make money and are up at that hour.

Regarding Starbucks v. local at Cityscape, I doubt a local shop could afford Cityscape's rent. There are certainly enough fat-assed secretarial types downtown to support two Starbucks that close. They prefer not to work more than a block or two to get their frap-refresher milkshake things.

[Leo the Dog]

I normally drink black coffee. I'm not a fan of starbucks, but it does the trick, quick caffeine fix. CityScape is the perfect place for a Starbuck's.

There will never be a local, independent coffee shop there, it's not a good fit. DT Phx isn't a funky lil 'hood and would never have a large enough permanent following to support it in a corporate atmosphere.