Block 23
 

Here is a new thread for everything occuring on Block 23. :)

Renderings:

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/53d2...-Rendering.jpg

http://downtownphoenixjournal.com/wp...-resized-2.jpg

https://arizonadailyindependent.com/...ctive-View.png

http://dtphx.org/wp-content/uploads/...1-1024x663.png

Thanks Obadno! Great enlarged pic! I haven’t seen it that way. More impressive!!!

Has it ever been determined if these are the final renderings or is it possible that they will go higher with the residential? With all the activity and demand downtown, you'd think at least 20 stories wouldn't be out of the question.

The rendering is of a ~20 story residential.

I found a massing diagram of a taller office section and I would guess thats the best we can hope for.

http://dtphx.org/wp-content/uploads/...nt-webcrop.png

As you can see from the diagram, the building is only about 15 stories but it has high ceilings. In the original (and from what we know probable) massing the building is only 4 floors but its as tall as the 9 story office building across the street because of its 15 foot ceilings. In this massing above its more like 15 stories with the equivalent height of a ~25 story office building for the same reason.

Im hoping, with the continued downtown demand and shrinking office vacancy, Red takes the risk of developing a larger office building. Considering they finished citiscape in 2009 during the depression, they might see the stronger economic forecast and take a risk on this.

http://i.imgur.com/CISivb8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zTGpfBx.jpg

Anyone remember when CityScape was new, and they built a temporary sales office? It was located where the dirt has been removed in the second picture that fawd took.

Bit of a delay because they found an old foundation on the site and are preserving it for photographs prior to proceeding.

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

There was an article that came out when Fry's was first proposed about a Cold War era bomb shelter beneath the lot and the excavation to be done. Prior to that, who knows what else is down there. Fox Theater (still ducking pissed it was demolished) was on that exact corner. And before that it was our very Victorian city hall. I'm curious what else they'll find.

Also, will depending on how deep they dig be telling of how tall the office portion of the project will be?

I work in Colliers Center and walk by here daily and they are definitely doing an archeological dig. They were using a pick and a brush yesterday uncovering a brick wall.

That'd be cool if there's a section in either Fry's or a small space dedicated to the history of the block. There's so much history on the block (relative to Phx I mean).

Downtown Class A vacancy is still high but your point about taking a risk is a good one because the kind of office they are planning to develop on Block 23 is more creative space rather than traditional office space located downtown. I suspect they'll land some pretty top tier tenants for hip factor alone.

It's going to be nice to see that nasty parking lot disappear forever. I gotta say that this project has really grown on me. At first, I wasn't happy with the height but it's going to have an awesome street presence if built like what we see in the renderings with the buildings spanning across the whole lot like that. Much nicer than cityscape.

The larger massing was shown to the City to show that the office portion is being built to sustain future height.

This is essentially a 20-story residential tower with a block-wide podium; even that tower is unattractive given how wide it is.

The worst part is the ground floor plan, though. 90% of 1st St and Jefferson will be dead walls from the Fry's, where shallow retail bays could have been placed to integrate it and make it, well, urban. The space along Jefferson and 2nd st for residential amenities is also out of place with Colliers and TSA next door.

Tonight Fox 10 News at 9 is doing a story tonight on the artifacts found so far during the archeology dig so far.

Fry’s in Downtown Phoenix breaking ground in April
 

:cheers::cheers:

With a new very moody rendering:

http://azbigmedia.com/wp-content/upl...apartments.jpg

By far my most hated vacant lot in Phoenix. That rendering looks bad ass! :cheers:

Agreed, looks great! Wish the office portion was higher, but I get that the demand is just not there...yet. Hopefully in the future or even during construction phase, office demands skyrockets and RED decides to go higher

I'm sure it will happen sooner than later. Someone has to be taking notice of the influx of residents by now and probably have office space in mind.

For anyone who wanted an update on the archaeological dig occuring at Block 23:

http://www.azfamily.com/story/350381...autostart=true

Interesting stuff...