Quote:
Originally Posted by Jjs5056
Sorry, but there is absolutely no "need" for a new tallest in Phoenix. The market doesn't justify such a project, nor would such a project do anything to improve the economy of downtown. If you have a personal desire to see taller buildings, that's great. But, downtown Phoenix will be judged based on the experiences visitors/residents have on the street level, not whether the buildings they pass are 501' or not. As it stands, that experience is completely destroyed by the disconnected built environment between areas of dining/entertainment as a result of the insane amount of vacant lots. Midrises that bring entertainment, residents or jobs to downtown with a desert-inspired design can be just as significant, if not moreso, than a shiny tall generic glass tower.
Phoenix can be as forward-thinking as it wants, but that won't create a demand for a new tallest, nor will it change FAA regulations that limit where something taller could even be built. In addition, there are many more ways Phoenix can prove its progressiveness that will go much further in enhancing its reputation than simply building a tall building: attracting clean businesses, attracting major corporations, attracting major private investment, building out the Biomedical Campus to the point where it has national or regional significance, passing legislation that isn't stuck in the 1920s and prioritizes things like education, transit, and so on...
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Actually, Phoenix's skyline is judged on its height by many. YOU may not look at a city that way, but most people do. Many people who visit the Valley only see downtown from a distance. People who have a layover at Sky Harbor only see downtown from the windows of whatever terminal they're in. These people couldn't really care less about how this whimsical factor interacts with another whimsical factor in making downtown. They catch a glimpse or two of downtown from a distance a make a judgment. I have even had several friends over the years express shock at how small and short our downtown is. I had one friend ask where downtown was WHILE we were driving through downtown. Look at Dubai, for example. Many Americans have Dubai on their travel wishlists because of the images of super modern skyscrapers. Those pictures don't show how buildings interact with the street level and pedestrians at cafes with cyclists whizzing by. It's all about the skyline.
Other than that, I agree with your assertion that taller buildings are not needed here. The market doesn't warrant taller office buildings and having a 500 foot residential tower just to exceed Chase is not necessary. I find it odd when I visit a city and their tallest building is a residential tower. It looks off. I personally think that Chase does fine aesthetically as our tallest building. It doesn't look particularly dated, especially looking at the other highrises in downtown and the Central Corridor. It is not some horrible all beige building with funky looking windows. It still looks halfway decent, IMO.
As for Phoenix attracting business, good luck with that. They will continue going to Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Deer Valley, Gilbert, and to freeway corridors in the West Valley. I have raised the issue for many years about Phoenix's passivity when it comes to trying to attract new business. At some point Phoenix will have to realize that it can't sit on the sidelines, watch businesses select other Valley cities, and then clap for the suburbs in the name of regionalism. The suburbs are clearly out for blood in trying to attract new investment and really couldn't give a rat's ass about regionalism. Phoenix needs to realize this and compete. It simply won't happen. None of our political leaders seem to really care about attracting business to the city of Phoenix.