Tempe Development Thread

[CB1]

https://arizonasports-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/arizonasports.com/story/3517594/city-of-phoenix-suing-tempe-for-development-that-includes-coyotes-arena/amp/?amp_js_v=0.1#webview=1&cap=swipe

[CB1]

https://ktar-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/ktar.com/story/5473758/tempe-reaches-out-to-developers-to-remake-old-store-into-affordable-housing/amp/?amp_js_v=0.1#webview=1&cap=swipe

[Mr.RE]

The southwest corner of Price Rd and Rio Salado has a proposal for a 5-story apartment complex with 290 units with live-work units on the Rio Salado frontage. The entire stretch from the 202 to McClintock will be redeveloped in the next 5-7 years I'm sure.

[CrestedSaguaro]

South Pier crane evals submitted to FAA:

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577345066&row=5

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577344985&row=6

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577344465&row=7

[muertecaza]

Shady Park and Mirabella settled, sounds like a decent resolution:

https://www.azfamily.com/app/2023/03/30/tempes-shady-park-reaches-deal-with-retirement-community-allow-concerts/

[CB1]

https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/first-and-farmer-marks-tempe-groundbreaking,381089

[locolife]

South Pier crane evals submitted to FAA:

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577345066&row=5

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577344985&row=6

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=577344465&row=7

As someone who doesn't work in construction or project development, does this mean we're close to cranes going in the ground?

[ASUSunDevil]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/03/30/coyotes-decry-phoenix-airport-lawsuit-arena-plan.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_9&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s

[CrestedSaguaro]

As someone who doesn't work in construction or project development, does this mean we're close to cranes going in the ground?

Not usually. I'm not sure what the timelines developers submit to the FAA are based off of, but I have found they are usually way off. My guess is once approved, they are approved for a couple of years or so. So developers may be just throwing in a starting date to satisfy a required date field in the eval app.

[CB1]

https://youtu.be/PyEAF0MUeEY

[muertecaza]

16 East University's development plan review with the DRC got bumped to the next meeting on 4/11 for final decision:

https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/101397

But from what I watched of the video of the meeting, it's because the DRC was pushing the developer to replacement the most prominent elevations with metal paneling over EIFS, so hopefully a good thing in the end.

[CB1]

https://i.imgur.com/KwS8gIv.jpg

Parking garage on mill and university.

[CB1]

https://www.azfamily.com/2023/04/05/arizona-coyotes-file-claim-against-city-phoenix/

[Mr.RE]

DRC Packet for Rio 2100 Residences available: https://www.tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=101626&t=638164596068358323

Pretty good looking renderings. Design by Todd & Associates. 6-story podium design which will be some good height from the freeway. Fairfield is the developer.

[azsunsurfer]

Probably ran out of shady dark money but good news for Tempe....

https://azbex.com/legislation-issues/opposition-group-drops-s-pier-lawsuit/

[Mr.RE]

Check out this article on the Hotel + Fox Restaurants going in at Novus. The renderings looks great, first time I have seen them.

https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/fox-restaurant-concepts-comes-in-as-novus-innovation-corridor-anchor-tenant/

[MiEncanto]

Check out this article on the Hotel + Fox Restaurants going in at Novus. The renderings looks great, first time I have seen them.

https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/fox-restaurant-concepts-comes-in-as-novus-innovation-corridor-anchor-tenant/

I can't tell which corner that is for.

The handouts on Novus change practically every quarter. It's always very ASU and very aspirational...

Look at this handout which has different rendering and plans for the same parcel on slides 8 and 10 related to the Novus place. https://www.novusasu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Novus_Tempe_Template_ASU_2022-08.pdf

I do wonder how well those restaurants will do if they are tucked in that small lot on Alpha and 6th to the north of the Hyatt House. Parking and traffic already tricky in that area and college students alone won't be enough business. If they are talking about a lot with more street presence on Rural that would make more sense.

[azsunsurfer]

They're not tucked away they'll be right on Rural Rd....

Speaking of Novus Place here are some updates for some other tenants coming....

-Two tenants have LOI's out for the 777 office building on the ground floor but no announcements yet.

-The Piedmont currently will have a bar, a burger place (name not released yet), a sushi place (name not released yet), over easy and a jeweler.

[soled]

I can't tell which corner that is for.

The handouts on Novus change practically every quarter. It's always very ASU and very aspirational...

Look at this handout which has different rendering and plans for the same parcel on slides 8 and 10 related to the Novus place. https://www.novusasu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Novus_Tempe_Template_ASU_2022-08.pdf

I do wonder how well those restaurants will do if they are tucked in that small lot on Alpha and 6th to the north of the Hyatt House. Parking and traffic already tricky in that area and college students alone won't be enough business. If they are talking about a lot with more street presence on Rural that would make more sense.

This would be the southwest corner of Rural and 6th St. That last parcel by old frat row where the recent Novus developments are.

[MiEncanto]

This would be the southwest corner of University and 6th St. That last parcel by old frat row where the recent Novus developments are.

Thank you. So all the drawings for that area have changed since the most recent update in October 22. If you look at the renderings in the link of my previous post, you'll see the Novus Place was slated for a small parcel by the Hyatt Place and the Rural facing parcels all had 6+ story buildings.

[soled]

Thank you. So all the drawings for that area have changed since the most recent update in October 22. If you look at the renderings in the link of my previous post, you'll see the Novus Place was slated for a small parcel by the Hyatt Place and the Rural facing parcels all had 6+ story buildings.

You bet. But I had a brain fart and wrote University instead of Rural. Just edited it

Just to add to this, you can see the Infosys Limited building from the rendering(left-center, behind the tallest bldg) in this google map pic

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.42472,-111.9263422,3a,48.3y,219.33h,93.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJJOOoT0G9L0INXuNuwCHQA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0

[ASU Diablo]

PBJ has their article up with additional renderings of the park.

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/04/11/novus-innovation-corridor-new-sam-fox-restaurants.html

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12488875/c3fsedit-large.jpg

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/12488911/f067ce64-c6bd-4f1f-bcb3-79d2d51e4a82.jpg

[ASU Diablo]

-The Piedmont currently will have a bar, a burger place (name not released yet), a sushi place (name not released yet), over easy and a jeweler.

Sushi place will be "Blue Sushi Sake Grill"

[azsunsurfer]

Sushi place will be "Blue Sushi Sake Grill"

Thanks, any idea who the burger operator will be?

[ASU Diablo]

Thanks, any idea who the burger operator will be?

Nah. I just came across this restaurant when I was looking at the Tempe Development Projects side and this sushi spot had pulled permits. Nothing for burger spot.

[urbanplandan]

Anyone have any info on if Tempe Depot is still moving forward? And the hotel that was supposed to be across from the Flour Mill?

Also kinda shame they went for low density on those Fox restaurants in the Novus area.

[MiEncanto]

Also kinda shame they went for low density on those Fox restaurants in the Novus area.

As I’ve mentioned before, nearly every parcel in the athletic facilities district has been less than what Catellus planned for (State Farm doesn’t count cuz it’s not technically in the district).

Word on the street is ASU is difficult to deal with for developers. I’ve heard this from a mutilfam developer as well as a dev consultant. Lots of runaround and bureaucracy. There’s a reason the golf course and baseball field remain undeveloped.

[combusean]

Huh? They’re exactly at the density they planned for. They’re saving the taller parcels for later on

[ASU Diablo]

Presentations from the Joint Review Committee regarding the Novus Parcel 3A Collective linked below. The 12-story, 184-key hotel with be a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel (think luxury). Additional renderings on the public space.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LyPnRe8WQpTFk-30OvMXdF7-kVoLRmv0/view?usp=share_link

Also, additional information regarding Parcel 5F. It's currently under a LOI so we may get some lake parcel activity soon. Looks like great height. Rio Yards Phase 2 is also getting some movement.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zwOoGuExG5a_FDQJgrgiJGmzVJgmpW79/view?usp=sharing

[azsunsurfer]

Anyone have any info on if Tempe Depot is still moving forward? And the hotel that was supposed to be across from the Flour Mill?

Also kinda shame they went for low density on those Fox restaurants in the Novus area.

I think the Sam Fox cluster and plaza is essentially being built so that it can be redeveloped in the future...it's just a medium term place holder.

[MiEncanto]

Huh? They’re exactly at the density they planned for. They’re saving the taller parcels for later on

Look at all the Catellus docs. That parcel was planned for 6+ stories multiuse.

It seems like the district is picking up steam, though it's been a long time coming. But so far it has been a slog.

I also question the parking situation for these restaurants. People who eat at Fox restaurants are certainly going to want to drive there and if the only option is a paid/validated parking garage, it's going to be limiting.

[azsunsurfer]

Look at all the Catellus docs. That parcel was planned for 6+ stories multiuse.

It seems like the district is picking up steam, though it's been a long time coming. But so far it has been a slog.

I also question the parking situation for these restaurants. People who eat at Fox restaurants are certainly going to want to drive there and if the only option is a paid/validated parking garage, it's going to be limiting.

Well the idea is you park in the garage and walk down to the hustle and bustle of Novus Place where all the action is happening....think Santa Monica Promenade with cars.

[MiEncanto]

Well the idea is you park in the garage and walk down to the hustle and bustle of Novus Place where all the action is happening....think Santa Monica Promenade with cars.

lol I can see what they're going for. And in some areas it definitely does work. We'll see.

[exit2lef]

I also question the parking situation for these restaurants. People who eat at Fox restaurants are certainly going to want to drive there and if the only option is a paid/validated parking garage, it's going to be limiting.

Fox has been doing fine with the Arrogant Butcher and Blanco in downtown Phoenix, both of which involve paid or validated parking. Even at Biltmore Fashion Park, the most convenient parking for Blanco and Zinburger is in the paid/validated lot up front. I think a lot of customers there don't even know about the free garage in back by Macy's and Saks. Fox also operates restauarnts in other cities where parking is far more expensive and far less abundant than in Phoenix. Ten years ago, I might have agreed with your concern, but the company has come out of its suburban shell and seems able to thrive in more urban settings.

[MiEncanto]

Fox has been doing fine with the Arrogant Butcher and Blanco in downtown Phoenix, both of which involve paid or validated parking. Even at Biltmore Fashion Park, the most convenient parking for Blanco and Zinburger is in the paid/validated lot up front. I think a lot of customers there don't even know about the free garage in back by Macy's and Saks. Fox also operates restauarnts in other cities where parking is far more expensive and far less abundant than in Phoenix. Ten years ago, I might have agreed with your concern, but the company has come out of its suburban shell and seems able to thrive in more urban settings.

That is fair analysis. But downtown really is pretty unique in AZ.

And Biltmore has the massive, free garage that has been there for decades. People in that area are very accustomed to using it. This isn't quite that. Town of Gilbert is doing well with it's free parking garage right behind its restaurants downtown. I think that might be the best analogy for this project and so maybe it'll be fine. I kinda hate parking at ASU so it's probably just my personal beef.

[Obadno]

IDk about downtown being unique until maybe a couple years ago parking in Tempe around mill and ASU was more of a pain than parking downtown.

[muertecaza]

Omni getting close to done:

https://i.imgur.com/EVRLo7dh.jpg

[jvbahn]

Thanks for the photo, what a difference to when I hung out there in the 90s. Does any one know if the parking garage will continue with ground-level retail along Mill Ave, or am I mistaken in thinking that was along the street? Would be a shame to break the continuity. Omni getting close to done:

https://i.imgur.com/EVRLo7dh.jpg

[combusean]

There are county jails across the country that look better than the Omni.

I think this might be the ugliest tower in the Valley.

[soled]

There are county jails across the country that look better than the Omni.

I think this might be the ugliest tower in the Valley.

You're right about the south side of the Omni. What's crazy is the north side and west end look completely different and actually pretty cool(at least imo).

[ASU Diablo]

Thanks for the photo, what a difference to when I hung out there in the 90s. Does any one know if the parking garage will continue with ground-level retail along Mill Ave, or am I mistaken in thinking that was along the street? Would be a shame to break the continuity.

Retail and classroom space will be built up along Mill Ave

[CB1]

https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2023/04/19/car-free-mobility-rich-urbanism-becoming-reality

[CB1]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2023/04/19/tempe-deal-with-arizona-coyotes-deserves-3-no-votes/70126321007/

Very negative views written on Azcentral about the Coyotes development. :(

[CB1]

https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/04/grand-canyon-seidman-institute-entertainment-district-economic-reports

[MiEncanto]

The Grand Canyon Inst analysis is a lot of academic jargon but the summary seems to be: the paid consultants wrote a glowing analysis that did not properly score the project because
they use nominal numbers instead of present value with adjustments for inflation
they did not account for redirected money, or 'cannibalization' effect
there were errors such as forgetting the city doesn't get all of new tax revenues

It's a pretty damning report

I'm surprised at the organized opposition. I had no idea there would be so many getting involved. The State lawmakers from Tempe appear to be burning the midnight oil here. There's a lot of money funding the oppo. Tempe can be a weird place so who knows where the election is headed but it doesn't look good for the Yotes.

I think they would have been better off designing a district where the City simply owns the building like every other sports facility, then there'd be less whining about the property tax abatement. Then instead of taking the cities sales tax monies, they should have just done the theme park district.

[PHX-DUDE-MAN]

Random post, but Tempe based. Cool shot of landing into Sky Harbor over looking Tempe Town Lake overflow down the Salt River.

https://youtu.be/oTLPeIt_hY0

[PyroD]

You know, watching that video almost makes me wonder what the difference is between landing over the top of The Grand which borders apartments, vs landing over the proposed entertainment district just across the lake? The difference in distance from the runway isn't that great either. Could simply swapping the placement of the arena and apartments make this a moot point?

[exit2lef]

Random post, but Tempe based. Cool shot of landing into Sky Harbor over looking Tempe Town Lake overflow down the Salt River.

https://youtu.be/oTLPeIt_hY0

Amazing to see all that water in the Salt River west of Tempe Town Lake.

[azsunsurfer]

Deleted

[CB1]

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Facilities/arizona-coyotes-tempe-arena-deal-investigation.aspx

[RichTempe]

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Facilities/arizona-coyotes-tempe-arena-deal-investigation.aspx

He has already withdrawn his objection/complaint as of yesterday.

https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/1651022586573357057 Thanks to muertecaza for supplying the link posted in the Phoenix Stadium and Arena Thread originally.

Not sure why SBJ is reporting on if today when it's no longer an issue.

[CB1]

Thank goodness. Thanks for the info. Maybe it’s someone wanting to give the project bad publicity.

[muertecaza]

Snagged a picture of some mock-ups for the remaining retail pad at Hayden Ferry Lakeside:

https://i.imgur.com/lQqG2lph.jpg

[ASU Diablo]

The proposed tower at 955 E University Dr is currently "In Review for Planning Entitlements". This is the current Devil's Advocate lot.

Anyone have any details or renderings?

[AJphx]

Where did you see this proposal at for 955..?

[RichTempe]

Where did you see this proposal at for 955..?

It doesn't show any details, but it's on the 'Tempe Development Projects' page on the "In Review For Planning Entitlements' tab

https://tempegov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid=e2b8a9338e3948c0ab6abf93b858f508

[AJphx]

Thanks, I knew there was a site like that but couldn't find it.

Interesting. I see there are listing for new restaurants in existing spots. So I suppose it could be some sort of remodel or name change, too, perhaps? But that's a place that seems to do well so that would be strange. So selling that land off would probably be a prime spot for a residential.

My friend that works at ASU is gonna be annoyed if they build over that bar haha.

[ASU Diablo]

DPR for 780 Novus Hotel project. 12-stories @ 156'. Includes some additional renderings of the hotel. Could be better looking but some nice heigh!

https://www.tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=101940&t=638181990727435806

[MiEncanto]

This would be the southwest corner of Rural and 6th St. That last parcel by old frat row where the recent Novus developments are.

So I guess this was incorrect? Since the hotel is on that corner between 6th and Packard. Unless you meant where the tennis courts are now north of 6th?

I will note that this is the height they have been dreaming of in the athletic facilities district/ Innovation. So I stand corrected in my claim that they have been underdeveloping.

[muertecaza]

Omni fence came down...last week I believe.

https://i.imgur.com/FfWpSoth.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QTF1AdFh.jpg

[soled]

So I guess this was incorrect? Since the hotel is on that corner between 6th and Packard. Unless you meant where the tennis courts are now north of 6th?

I will note that this is the height they have been dreaming of in the athletic facilities district/ Innovation. So I stand corrected in my claim that they have been underdeveloping.

I hope you're not trying to confuse me because I'm getting old, haha.

I didn't look back at exactly what I posted earlier, but I don't think I was referring to just the hotel. But rather the parcel at large, which includes the restaurants. I tried to find a way to post a pic of that parcel from the document ASU Diablo linked, but I couldn't figure it out(probably because I'm getting old:)

Anyway, if you look at page 13 of that document, you'll see the parcel is at the SW corner of Rural and 6th St, but is also bordered by Packard Dr to the south and Novus Pl along the west.

[MiEncanto]

I hope you're not trying to confuse me because I'm getting old, haha.

I didn't look back at exactly what I posted earlier, but I don't think I was referring to just the hotel. But rather the parcel at large, which includes the restaurants. I tried to find a way to post a pic of that parcel from the document ASU Diablo linked, but I couldn't figure it out(probably because I'm getting old:)

Anyway, if you look at page 13 of that document, you'll see the parcel is at the SW corner of Rural and 6th St, but is also bordered by Packard Dr to the south and Novus Pl along the west.

*Edited*
Yep I'm tracking where the hotel is going.

I thought when we were discussing the restaurant/outdoor space that you said it was going on this very parcel. Whereas I was thinking it was tucked in more and NOT on rural, like that empty triangular parcel to the immediate west.

*update* I checked again on Novus records and it appears there's 3 restaurants AND the hotel going on that space between packard and 6th. It seems like a lot for 1 parcel but I suppose that works. That triangular space by the garage also shows office and retail. Page 10 https://www.novusasu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Novus_Tempe_Template_ASU_2022-08.pdf

Of note, the plans call for 3 more hotels in this Novus Place area in addition to Hyatt Place.

[ASU Diablo]

Thanks, any idea who the burger operator will be?

Looks like it's Eureka! I've never heard of them but some joint from Cali it looks like.

https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/5-more-restaurants-coming-to-novus-place-in-tempe/

[muertecaza]

Video of Cul-de-sac progress:

https://youtu.be/3asTC_-Rd5s

[CBar]

Omni fence came down...last week I believe.


It is operational now.
It opened last week ... April 28th.

[CB1]

https://youtu.be/qIA8PjdEYWs

[ASU Diablo]

Finally an update!

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/05/09/hayden-flour-mill-redevelopment-moving-forward.html
Lorenzo Perez expects to spend the next few months in due diligence on the transformation of a historic site in Tempe. He's hopeful that by the end of the year or early next year construction will start moving forward.

Perez, the co-founder and managing partner of Venue Projects is partnering with Sunbelt Holdings to turn Hayden Flour Mill at Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue into a gathering space and back into a community asset. The two Valley developers were chosen to make that happen last February by the city of Tempe after responding to a request for proposals in late 2021.

Since then, Venue and Sunbelt have had their calendars filled with community outreach efforts, including regular meetings with stakeholders from the city of Tempe and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Perez said he asked Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community to be a creative collaborator on the redevelopment.

"I was born and raised here, and I know people are very emotionally connected to that site in the Indigenous community, Latino community and all of Arizona," Perez said. "I knew it was going to be important that we took time to get to know everybody and listen. I wanted to understand the history of it."

The mill, which is the namesake of Mill Avenue, closed in 1998. In 2003 the city bought the mill, and two different private companies have previously gotten development rights for it over the years, but those rights have expired.

Perez and Sunbelt presented a site plan at a special meeting Monday night in front of a Tempe City Council and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Council joint meeting. The plan calls for eight buildings, including six newly built structures.

"We want to create a one-of-a-kind experience that's specific to our region. ... It's not going to just be a beautiful, historic place, we want to be activated and energized," Perez said.

Perez added that the partners will seek a national nomination for historic preservation for the site.

A big task ahead for the partners is carefully removing heavy milling equipment from a five-story structure. Perez said the intent is to preserve as much of the machinery as possible, which will be utilized as a way to tell the story about the mill over the years.

There will also be a retail component to the site with a few on-site food and beverage options, specialty shops and entertainment retail all being possibilities. Perez expects that there will be space for smaller community events as well.

Venue and Sunbelt are still in negotiations with the city of Tempe for the development agreement for the site, which will still be owned by Tempe upon execution. Perez said he's hopeful that gets finalized in the coming months.

"Once we figure all that out, then it's a matter of going to work and doing what we normally do," Perez said. "Designing the buildings, leasing them — we want to be mindful about the types of tenants and what activities happen there — that stuff is coming."

The cost of the project along with the construction and architecture team has not been established as of Monday.

The city released the request for proposals in September 2021 for an adaptive reuse project that would include a lease and development of the 5-acre site.

Venue Projects is behind several of the city’s high-profile redevelopment and adaptive reuse projects, including the adaptive reuse of the Rise Hotel in uptown Phoenix with Vintage Partners.

Sunbelt Holdings was a co-developer of Marina Heights in Tempe, the Valley’s largest office complex. The company is also developing Union Park at Norterra in north Phoenix and was also chosen to lead the 10-million-square-foot expansion of Wild Horse Pass on the Gila River Indian Community.

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12509536/save-hayden-flour-mill-copy-2.jpg

[Obadno]

Finally an update!

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/05/09/hayden-flour-mill-redevelopment-moving-forward.html


https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12509536/save-hayden-flour-mill-copy-2.jpg

Attempt #23

Hopefully it works this time.

[DUPio]

That Mill proposal reminds me. Wasn't 100 Mill supposed to build a hotel on the parking lot facing Mill Ave (120 Mill)? Is that still alive?

[CB1]

https://i.imgur.com/0bQbfdw.jpg

[muertecaza]

That Mill proposal reminds me. Wasn't 100 Mill supposed to build a hotel on the parking lot facing Mill Ave (120 Mill)? Is that still alive?

It's been at "in review for building permit" on the Tempe development map for like a year plus. I don't know anything more than that.

[CB1]

https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2023/05/10/arizona-coyotes-arena-tempe-entertainment-district-1994-agreement/

[xymox]

It's been at "in review for building permit" on the Tempe development map for like a year plus. I don't know anything more than that.

Even though it hasn't broken ground yet - it'll wrap up ahead of the Pier. ;)

From what I recall - they lost the hotel brand they had attached to the project during Covid and were hoping to find another after Covid settled. It's been a while - wonder what's going on there or if macro conditions are putting a hamper on financing.

[azsunsurfer]

There are a lot of hotels in the pipeline for Tempe Town...The Watermark is supposed to build one too let alone all the ones earmarked for Novus and now maybe the "Entertainment District"...wouldn't be surprised if ASU poached Kimpton for a future development...that site on Mill is still pretty prized.

[muertecaza]

Small thing but one I've been waiting for - the fence around the Hoover Dam-inspired water feature at the Grande is finally down. The fountain looks really good.

[somethingfast]

The Pier gets an awful lot of ragging here (rightfully so...it's a perplexing project speed-wise) but drove past it a few times last week and it *really* adds some massing, height and just sheer size to the area. It's gonna look great when done in 2031!

[phoenixwillrise]

Small thing but one I've been waiting for - the fence around the Hoover Dam-inspired water feature at the Grande is finally down. The fountain looks really good.
No biggy but I believe it's a miniature of Roosevelt Dam, (with the big brick looking things), which is more historically related to the valley's growth.

[muertecaza]

No biggy but I believe it's a miniature of Roosevelt Dam, (with the big brick looking things), which is more historically related to the valley's growth.

You're right! My career SRP engineer father would be ashamed of me.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Let's keep all the chat about the Coyotes in the Phoenix Area Stadium and Arena News thread. No reason to clogging up 2 separate threads over this.

[Mr.RE]

In other news, according to the development tracker the 955 e university mixed use project is planned to be 208' tall and 539 units. That will be the tallest building in that Rural/University area I think. Excited to see renderings soon.

[CB1]

https://i.imgur.com/ISYzIZS.jpg

[CB1]

https://i.imgur.com/meiVged.jpg

Development NE of McClintock and Apache.

[CA7]

In other news, according to the development tracker the 955 e university mixed use project is planned to be 208' tall and 539 units. That will be the tallest building in that Rural/University area I think. Excited to see renderings soon.

Hmm interesting spot for a project that tall considering anything else like it is going in by Mill or the waterfront but maybe with Novus developing in it won't stick out as much in that area.

[muertecaza]

June 13 DRC meeting will have a lot of good information:

955 University will have a presentation in the Study Session
The full commission will decide on 211 E. 7th St.
They will also decide on Skye Tempe
They will also decide on 'The Marshall at Tempe,' a proposed 7-story development at 1057 E. Apache. That address is sort of between the garden apartments at 1111 and the Sleep Inn at 1031, so not sure where exactly it's going and what if anything it's replacing.

[ASU Diablo]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/05/24/south-pier-tempe-large-construction-loan.html

The developer of South Pier along Tempe Town Lake has secured a hefty loan to finance the completion of the first phase of the mixed-use project.

The multibillion-dollar mixed-use project from developer South Pier Tempe Holdings LLC, an entity of Washington state-based McBride-Cohen Management, is being developed across 18 acres along Vista Del Lago Drive on the Tempe lakefront. McBride-Cohen started construction on the first phase earlier in the year, which will include three apartment towers totaling 724 units and 26,000 square feet of retail on 3.3 acres.

McBride-Cohen said that it has secured a $223 million loan through Mexico-based Banco Inbursa — a bank owned by billionaire Carlos Slim — and Chicago private equity firm Pearlmark. McBride-Cohen is the lead developer on the project and is working alongside New York firms Cantor Fitzgerald and Silverstein Properties for the first phase of the development.

“The closing of this construction loan is another step toward delivering a world-class waterfront destination that will benefit the entire region,” said Loren McBride Cohen, CEO of McBride Cohen, in a statement. “We thank our partners at Cantor Fitzgerald and Silverstein for their belief in this project and are hard at work making this dream a reality.”

South Pier at Tempe Town Lake
The three apartment towers in the first phase are expected to be completed in the next 42 months with the towers completing construction on staggered schedules. Cohen said he expected the first occupancies to take place by the end of 2025 and the towers to complete in full by 2026.

Housing, retail also part of the project
In addition to the towers in the first phase, South Pier will have more housing units and retail that will be built in subsequent phases. McBride-Cohen will build more than 2,500 units across rentable apartments, condominiums for purchase along with senior housing. The developer also plans two luxury hotels, more than 600,000 square feet of high-rise office space and a multi-acre entertainment district including restaurants, nightlife experiences, concert venues, fountain shows and a large Ferris wheel.

A two-acre public park called "The Central Green" is at the heart of the project.

McBride-Cohen expects to move forward on several of those developments at the beginning of 2024 with an office tower, a luxury hotel, a for-sale condo tower, a senior housing tower, additional retail space and multifamily housing units all in the works.

McBride-Cohen is working with Lee & Associates Arizona's Bill Blake and Colton Trauter for office leasing, Western Retail Advisors for retail leasing and Greystar for management at the apartment towers.

Construction costs could now exceed $4 billion for the complete build-out of South Pier. The project will total 18 buildings and construction is expected to last over the next eight to 12 years.

Clayco is the general contractor for the first phase of the project while The Davis Experience is the architect.

With arguably the best views in the Valley, nearby amenities and some of the region's biggest and newest office buildings, the area around Tempe Town Lake is some of the most sought-after office space in the Phoenix metro.

Earlier this year, advocacy group Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy, now known as Worker Power, fought in the Arizona courts to bring a referendum for Tempe residents to vote on the South Pier project, citing a lack of affordable housing. The group withdrew its petition in March, the Arizona Republic reported.


https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12523064/final-rendering-8-wlogo.jpg

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12523061/final-rendering-4-wlogo.jpg

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12523060/final-rendering-2-wlogo.jpg

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12523056/final-rendering-5-wlogo.jpg

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12523062/final-rendering-6-wlogo.jpg

[Obadno]

Looking great! i really hope it comes through!

[IndyAZ]

I heard that 100 Mill Hotel site was sold from previous developer to the Hyatt Corporation and they plan to develop that project themselves, so apparently that one will start moving forward on finalizing design again with planned groundbreaking in early 2024.

[muertecaza]

I heard that 100 Mill Hotel site was sold from previous developer to the Hyatt Corporation and they plan to develop that project themselves, so apparently that one will start moving forward on finalizing design again with planned groundbreaking in early 2024.

Nice. Was wondering what the hold up was.

[somethingfast]

South Pier looks insane at even 50% of those images. Would definitely take Tempe to next level. Phoenix would have to build a supertall just to compete (wink, wink)

[MMDelon]

South Pier looks incredible. If they are able to build this out in the next 8 to 10 years as planned then it will completely change the east Valley.

[MMDelon]

What Tempe is doing has me looking at Phoenix sideways because this type of development should not happen in a city like Tempe. I know the lake plays a huge part but it’s the planning and staying dedicated to making Tempe a tech hub for business to come and build offices in downtown Tempe. The city is walkable, it’s upbeat, it’s fun and serious at the same time. I’m very proud of the city Tempe is becoming.

[Obadno]

What Tempe is doing has me looking at Phoenix sideways because this type of development should not happen in a city like Tempe. I know the lake plays a huge part but it’s the planning and staying dedicated to making Tempe a tech hub for business to come and build offices in downtown Tempe. The city is walkable, it’s upbeat, it’s fun and serious at the same time. I’m very proud of the city Tempe is becoming.

Ive bitched for years that the city of phoenix does nothing to get businesses downtown.

They've done great on housing, but they absolutely do nothing to get businesses downtown.

Maybe its because the city is so huge, they can't focus on just downtown? Like the planning and business development office doesn't care if an employer goes up by TSMC and Deer valley, or Desert Ridge, or up by Biltmore or the Airport or Kierland because its all city of Phoenix.

I still maintain that now that downtown has a ton of housing and people and restaurants eventually it will attract offices wanting to locate in that kind of environment but Tempe does a much better job courting employers and higher end developments.

[combusean]

Phoenix has had different priorities and interests. TSMC and Mayo would have never happened in a landlocked small city like Tempe, but was easy in a big city with a lot of room to grow, especially on its exurban/desert inspired northside which continues to be a rehash of the typical economic growth Arizona has seen for decades. Phoenix's central urban interests can barely compete with the expansive northern sprawl. It doesn't help that Phoenix barely even has an economic development department to land big centrally-located office projects, defaulting instead to regional cooperation through GPEC.

There's also something to be said with the economic center of the valley shifting east or otherwise away from downtown which has been a thing ever since the 101 opened. The Airpark was a dusty outpost before that for example. Tempe is close enough to families in like Gilbert or Mesa and can similar attract young people. Phoenix can't say that, especially with its garbage school systems that actively keeps families away.

Tempe's growth, while certainly helped along by the university (something Phoenix has seriously lacked over the years) has a residential component with this project that seems more reminiscent of South Beach or Dubai than student-heavy projects.

And tbf, this sort of destination residential stuff at the lake's quiet eastern end has been dreamed of off and on for many years (Pier 202, The Pier, etc) and will take even more years to flush out. I think it's a completely different market from say Downtown so much it's hard to believe they're in the same state sometimes, let alone several miles apart--I will be surprised if what gets built even remotely resembles this forest of towers.

[MiEncanto]

It doesn't help that Phoenix barely even has an economic development department to land big centrally-located office projects, defaulting instead to regional cooperation through GPEC.



Not sure how a 50 person office qualifies as "barely even has a department".

[combusean]

^ I very much seem to recall that Phoenix deferred/defers a lot of its typical big-city economic development responsibilities like promotion and site selection to GPEC, for any number of reasons: I suppose it's better to have someone select a site in any other Valley city than nowhere in the region at all and there's no point in competing with a City-funded economic development group like GPEC namely. Unfortunately this seems too altruistic.

I also remember this forum was pretty miffed at the selection of Christine MacKay as CED director from Chandler...not saying she's done a bad job in this position, but it definitely seemed like the two cities weren't punching at weights respective of their overall size and a regional promotion happened rather than a comprehensive nationwide search.

[somethingfast]

I still think DT Phoenix needs some kind of "signature" element to really attract business interest. It just doesn't have a gravitational pull as a "place" yet despite the growing sense of being "there". People are there yes. But it needs its own Riverwalk or Town Lake or Space Needle...or something like that. I think it sits in pretty much of one of the least attractive basins in the Valley so some visual cue that cements it as the physical anchor of the Valley. It's quite possibly a very small thing but who would've guess that Tempe would develop post Town Lake as it has? Seriously doubt that happens w/o the lake.

[YourBuddy]

I just don’t think they have a big enough vision. Hance Park should have been expanded north and south and redeveloped into something really nice a long time ago.

[CrestedSaguaro]

:yeahthat:


Edit: Tempe has stellar vision. For a smaller city, they are not afraid to kick ass and take names later. How many other cities in the country have pulled off something like Tempe Town Lake? That took a lot of brass to complete and it has been a massive success story. It could have very well went the other way. But sometimes you just got to roll the dice if you want to make your city a destination. Yea, the Coyotes proposal fell through, but at least Tempe went for it. Where the hell was Phoenix?

Phoenix seems to be afraid to take bigger risks. They could push for an observation tower (well over 500') adjacent to Hance Park. Something more architecturally distinct than any current towers or the dreaded Pin. It would draw visitors and would help bridge the gap between downtown and midtown and give the city something to feel good about.

[DUPio]

Tempe has a vision and sense of place/identity that is rare for cities to develop de novo in this day and age. It already swings way above its weight but give it another 15 years to build out Novus, South Pier, and continue infill near Mill and it’s really going to get some recognition nationally. I’ve been to Austin and Nashville recently and to me these are cities that have a similar feel/momentum to Tempe, albeit on a much larger scale (and it’s a shame Phoenix really hasn’t positioned itself in the same way or extent but slowly getting better). I was very bummed and pissed when the Coyotes proposal fell through because I want to see the vision of Town Lake come to full fruition and for the Valley to have some places that truly kick ass and draw people to visit beyond just the weather. I’m excited to see where things are at even in a couple years. Development moving at an incredible pace.

[MiEncanto]

:yeahthat:


Edit: Tempe has stellar vision. For a smaller city, they are not afraid to kick ass and take names later. How many other cities in the country have pulled off something like Tempe Town Lake? That took a lot of brass to complete and it has been a massive success story. It could have very well went the other way. But sometimes you just got to roll the dice if you want to make your city a destination. Yea, the Coyotes proposal fell through, but at least Tempe went for it. Where the hell was Phoenix?

Phoenix seems to be afraid to take bigger risks. They could push for an observation tower (well over 500') adjacent to Hance Park. Something more architecturally distinct than any current towers or the dreaded Pin. It would draw visitors and would help bridge the gap between downtown and midtown and give the city something to feel good about.

I agree Tempe has had a nice vision but it's also tiny and had the lake basin right there. It was sorta obvious. And they failed 100 times before they got it right. The dam failed. It was literally under water and the debt to pay for the lake has been enormous. It has cost taxpayers millions. And every single tower on the lake had to be massively subsidized because they ask the owners to pay an exorbitant cost for the lake through the lake district. So it has come at a steep price and it took forever.

Phoenix has missed the boat on creating a downtown walkable district as well as a anchor plaza. I've long argued they should have something historic a la the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. I think a GO bond campaign dedicated to creating some historic building space downtown would be well received by voters. It just feels like the city lacks vision for creating cool spaces. All we ever hear about is lane reductions and stuff that pisses people off.