Phoenix Development News (4)

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by TJPHXskyscraperfan

Anyone know what’s going on across the street from cityscape? There’s all kinds of equipment and dirt looks to be moving. Are they finally building those condos that was planned like 10 years ago?????

I noticed that recently also. I hope they’re not just repaving. I work in a nearby building. I sometimes walk by. I’ll update if I see anything on my lunchtime walks.

[muertecaza]

Articles on recent completions:

One Camelback:

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/one-ca...converted-apartment-now-accepting-leases

The Ray:

https://www.archpaper.com/2026/06/ray-downtown-phoenix/

[builder03]

https://azbex.com/local-projects/arizona-projects-06-05-26/

"Intersection Development has applied for a demolition permit for a former radio station building at 840 N. Central Ave. in downtown Phoenix to make way for the Atari Hotel. Designed by räkkhaus, the $124M project will include a 91-room hotel and 60KSF of entertainment space on a 1.6-acre site. The developer is continuing to raise project funding and must begin construction by June 30 under its licensing agreement with Atari, subject to extension provisions."

Sounds like we'll know if this project is legit by the end of the month.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

It's far too early to be noteworthy news, but there's been some permit activity on the NEC of Portland/1st St for a 21-story multifamily tower as recent as April. Let the speculation begin.

You called it. Hopefully this one can take off soon as well...

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/06/11/developer-plans-downtown-phoenix-tower.html

The 320-unit building would include ground-floor retail and amenity spaces across multiple floors. Preliminary approval came in late May.

[muertecaza]

News on retail for The Ray. I was excited when the headline said it was a "grocer," but it's more like a convenience store. Still good news:

https://archive.is/GzXaG

The ground floor will include a 1,300-square-foot grocer, café and wine bar called Del Ray, which will feature food, beverages, grab-and-go meals, personal care items and some home goods...

Studio 105, a gallery and event space curated by Sonya Tamaddon, RAY founder Dasha Zhukova, and creative director Suzanne Demisch will also open in the tower’s ground floor.

[combusean]

City's looking to RFP 10.2 acres at Christown.

https://www.abc15.com/news/business/city...ormer-christown-spectrum-shopping-center

[halicem]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

You called it. Hopefully this one can take off soon as well...

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/06/11/developer-plans-downtown-phoenix-tower.html

Some interesting snippets:

The 21-story high-rise would comprise 320 rental units on a 1.6-acre parcel at 1101 N. 1st St. The 493,034-square-foot building would include four levels of parking; 5,537 square feet of ground-floor retail; and amenity spaces on the first floor, fifth floor and 21st floor — which would also feature terraces and a pool deck, according to documents obtained by the Business Journal. The ground level is set to include a sport court with a TV gathering area; a dog run and dog wash; work-from-home space and a bike room.

[...]

When JRG Capital originally acquired the parcel at the intersection of First and Portland, no particular plan was set in stone, but Cheri Grossman, chief investment officer for JRG Capital Partners, saw plenty of potential in the Phoenix area.

Not long after, the company scooped up a second property in downtown Phoenix. At the time [4 years ago], Grossman said the vision was to build three high-rise towers across its metro portfolio.

In September of last year, the Chicago-based investor added another 1.76 acres to its downtown phoenix collection, dishing out $8.5 million for what was previously the Milum Textile building site. JRG Capital wasted no time before demolishing the structure. The company is considering the installment of possible high-rise or mixed-use developments in its place.

Didn't realize these 3 were all bought up by the same company. Hopefully they actually start moving on this.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by combusean

City's looking to RFP 10.2 acres at Christown.

https://www.abc15.com/news/business/city...ormer-christown-spectrum-shopping-center

Good to see some of the underutilized park-and-rides redeveloped. Having so much parking there made sense when the Montebello station was the end of the line, but with the new garage at the Thelda Williams Transit Center, there is no longer a need. I'm curious that the RFP site includes the Yucca Library. I hope there is a plan to relocate it. Even more intriguing is what would happen with Solano Park, which lies between the library and the park-and-ride.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Good to see some of the underutilized park-and-rides redeveloped. Having so much parking there made sense when the Montebello station was the end of the line, but with the new garage at the Thelda Williams Transit Center, there is no longer a need. I'm curious that the RFP site includes the Yucca Library. I hope there is a plan to relocate it. Even more intriguing is what would happen with Solano Park, which lies between the library and the park-and-ride.

Yes but it was also mostly empty when it was the end of the line.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

Yes but it was also mostly empty when it was the end of the line.

As I have stated before, the need for park-and-rides was overestimated when light rail was first built -- not because light rail isn't well utilized, but because more passengers connect to light rail via walking, bus, or bike than anticipated. Two decades ago, planners understandably feared that in a city too often stereotyped as a "car town" that light rail wouldn't work without abundant free parking in numerous locations. Fortunately, they were at least partially mistaken, and now redevelopment of underutilized park-and-rides therefore makes sense -- not only because the land can be used more productively, but also because putting more housing along light rail can increase ridership and decrease car dependency. That said, maintaining them at the termini and key locations where they can attract riders from different directions than where the tracks go still makes sense because even if they aren't full on a daily basis, they are very useful for special events. The Central/Camelback one was full last weekend during Fan Fusion, largely because it's the most proximate park-and-ride for the north central and northeastern parts of Phoenix.

[builder03]

They now have a big QR code on the old radio building.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by builder03

They now have a big QR code on the old radio building.

They had a big exhibit at Fan Fusion. It was a mock "bodega" were they sold Atari-branded merchandise and solicited investors in the hotel. I hope that doesn't mean that they don't have financing in place yet.

[TllrSkyline-01]

This morning on AZ Family. NIMBY power working behind the scenes.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article...Arizona%27s%20Family,Sponsored%20Content


Arizona's Family

ATARI HOTEL PLAN SPARKS FIGHT OVER ROOSEVELT ROW'S FUTURE
Story by Alexis Dominguez • 14h • 2 min read


The project would demolish the former radio station building.
© Arizona's Family

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An 11-story gaming, hospitality and entertainment hotel inspired by the Atari video game brand is planned for Roosevelt Row, set to replace a building that has been part of downtown Phoenix history for more than 70 years.

The project would demolish the former radio station building at Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street — once home to some of the Valley’s most recognizable stations. The building is set to be demolished by the end of the year. The Atari Hotel is expected to be completed by 2028.

Plans for Atari Hotel worry residents over Roosevelt Row's identity if the district is growing and changing,” Frankie Valverde said. “Maybe it’ll bring some more people, more business and stuff for like these little restaurants and shops.”.

Supporters and critics divided
Supporters say the development will create a one-of-a-kind destination and bring new entertainment and investment to the area. Some locals said they were open to the change.

“It takes away like the studio creative spaces and stuff, but at the same time, it’s like it’s part of the city growing and changing,” Frankie Valverde said. “Maybe it’ll bring some more people, more business and stuff for like these little restaurants and shops.”

Artists and community members push back
Others in the arts and music community say the project represents a broader loss of the culture that defined Roosevelt Row.

Briannin Gross, a booker and promoter, said the district was once driven by local artists, musicians and creatives, but that character has been shifting.
“It was very autonomous, locally driven art space,” Gross said. “But then that attracted investors, developers, businessmen, the nightlife district.”

Gross and others said the conversation extends beyond a single hotel project.
“It’s sad to see that history erased,” Gross said. “We want Roosevelt back and the hotel getting built is just a huge sign of us losing it.”

Valverde, who works in the area, said she wished developers would take a different approach to the site. “I wish they would like just renovate what’s there and maybe just do something cool that kind of fits this area a little more than like this giant gamer hotel,” she said.