Tempe Development Thread

[sundevilgrad]

I believe Bridgeview is the condo tower on the east end of the development.

[DevdogAZ]

Anyone know what's going in the spot right south of In-N-Out, just north of Northshore?

[Sekkle]

^ According to the "Playa del Norte" development plan, that lot is supposed to be office/retail and will be a 2 story building. here's the link.
http://www.tempe.gov/lake/Development/Playa_del_Norte.htm
(See the "Playa del Norte Development Plan" link for the PDF of the layout.)

[sharpie]

Does anybody know where the Le Meridian is going at the Hayden Ferry site? I've seen two different site plans, one has it just west of that huge parking garage, and the other was just east.

[oliveurban]

Originally Posted by sharpie

Does anybody know where the Le Meridian is going at the Hayden Ferry site? I've seen two different site plans, one has it just west of that huge parking garage, and the other was just east.

It is to be built behind--to the south of--the Edgewater Condos, and to the west of Bridgeview. You can see it better here, the small L-shaped parcel H1:
http://www.haydenferrylakeside.com/siteplan.htm

That is the correct site plan. It will back up directly to Rio Salado Pkwy.

[sundevilgrad]

Not to start any rumors, but the last time I was down there it looked like they were doing site prep for the B3 office building. Does anyone know if that is true or not?

[loftlovr]

Originally Posted by ForAteOh

^ According to the "Playa del Norte" development plan, that lot is supposed to be office/retail and will be a 2 story building. here's the link.
http://www.tempe.gov/lake/Development/Playa_del_Norte.htm
(See the "Playa del Norte Development Plan" link for the PDF of the layout.)

Where the heck is Onyx going?????

[Azndragon837]

Originally Posted by loftlovr

Where the heck is Onyx going?????

Onyx is going on the parcel west of NorthShore, south of Playa del Norte, and up against the lake. Currently, the parcel is being used as construction storage for NorthShore. The 26-story tower is still going through the development review process.

For KML Mosaic (formerly Cosmo), I spoke to a friend in class who works for KML, and he told me from what he knows, construction isn't set to begin until spring or early summer. They are waiting on the sale of the condominium units. The building WILL rise, just requires some patience.

As for the Hayden Ferry Lakeside B3 office building, no plans have been submitted yet. Right now, that whole area up against Mill and Rio Salado is being used as construction storage for the B2 12 -story tower. It is B3 that will be right up against the intersection, creating this pedestrian plaza that will guide people into the development. I believe SunCor is waiting on office occupation for B2, and as soon as vacancy rates for B2 dip below a certain percentage, that is when plans will be submitted to start B3.

-Andrew

[JimInCal]

Thanks for the inside scoop Andrew. I wish you could get your hands on an Onyx rendering without getting in trouble.

[Azndragon837]

Originally Posted by JimInCal

Thanks for the inside scoop Andrew. I wish you could get your hands on an Onyx rendering without getting in trouble.

Well, I respect the place where I work, and don't want to abuse it...it's a great place to work, the people here whom I work with and for are amazing.

In due time we will all see the renderings, but right now, it's still going through the preliminary process.

-Andrew

[Sekkle]

Article from the Tribune today about Onyx...

26-story condo in works for Tempe Town Lake
By Misty Williams, Tribune
February 1, 2007

A Scottsdale developer announced Wednesday it hopes to begin construction of a 26-story condominium tower on the north shore of Tempe Town Lake early this year with sales opening in March.


Developed by WestStone Communities, Onyx Tower would include 196 condos, ranging in price from the $300,000s to more than $1 million.

The high rise — with its solid black glass walls — would sit near Rural Road and Loop 202.

Units will run in size from 1,653 square feet to 2,368 square feet, and the top five floors will be penthouses, said Marilyn Pfaff, WestStone’s sales manager and marketing director.

Tempe is a hot area for growth right now with new shopping centers, offices and hotels planned, she said.

“Now you need the condos to support all the other growth, so it’s very hot,” she said.

WestStone’s tower is one of a number of planned projects that could bring more than 2,000 condos to the area surrounding the lake, said John Fioramonti with real estate research firm Hanley Wood.

The million-dollar question is which of these projects will be successful or even get built because of the slowing real estate market, he said.

Fioramonti said he’s seen a frenzied rush to build condos during at least three housing market cycles in the 30 years he’s lived in the Valley.

“The bug starts, and everybody starts building condos,” he said. “And then they have way too many condos, and they can’t give them away.”

This time around, though, the argument for more condos may be stronger because it’s the only way to live closer to city cores, he said.

Still, some condo projects will likely be put on the back burner and others will be transformed into office projects, he said.

WestStone’s project will be built but probably won’t find the same kind of success as its Northshore condo development in the same area, he said.

Still in building stages, the 134-unit Northshore project is nearly sold out.

Pfaff said WestStone isn’t concerned about growing competition from other planned condo projects or the housing slowdown.

The developer is working to make the Onyx Tower units more affordable than other luxury products offered, and the lake is a desirable place to live, she said.

It’s close to freeways, the airport and Arizona State University, Pfaff said. West-Stone also is one of the initial groups building in the area.

Five years from now, “that lake is going to be a place you wish you would have bought in,” she said.

The tower will include a rooftop lap pool, bar area for private parties, 10-seat movie theater and conference room.

Construction could start early this year and finish in summer 2009, Pfaff said.

WestStone has submitted initial plans for the project to the city, and the proposal could be considered by the Development Review Commission some time in March, Tempe Planning director Lisa Collins said.

If approved, the project would be considered by the City Council in April, she said. Building height and other issues still need to discussed, but the project generally fits in with the lake area’s master plan, Collins said.

“It’s sort of the vision of the city and the area,” she said. “It’s coming to fruition, so that’s a good thing.”

[nbrindley]

Those do seem to be pretty good prices compared to other high-rise condos proposed around here. 300k+ for 1600+ sqft? not bad at all considering it's location.

[oliveurban]

Originally Posted by JimInCal

Thanks for the inside scoop Andrew. I wish you could get your hands on an Onyx rendering without getting in trouble.

I've seen the rendering. If I can get my hands on a scanner, I'll post it. If you go to Weststone's website and sign up for their mailing list (http://www.weststonecommunities.com/the-communities/onyx/contact.php), they'll send you an entire information packet on Onyx, renderings and floor plans included.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by Azndragon837

Well, I respect the place where I work, and don't want to abuse it...it's a great place to work, the people here whom I work with and for are amazing.

In due time we will all see the renderings, but right now, it's still going through the preliminary process.

-Andrew

Isn't it public information so anyone could go in there and ask to see it? Why can't you post it here?

[Lehm]

Speaking of Grigio, their website www.grigio.com has some renderings/animations of the interiors if you're into those.

Originally Posted by loftlovr

....And Grigio getting close to completion:

[Azndragon837]

Originally Posted by PHX31

Isn't it public information so anyone could go in there and ask to see it? Why can't you post it here?

^Because I do not want to. If any of you want to see anything the city is working on, hop on over here and request it, or hunt it down online.

Even though I work for Tempe, it doesn't mean I give SSP special treatment by placing renderings that I have to scan and copy and post. If I feel the need to post information that will be beneficial to the project, then I will. Besides, I would have to do a "public request" as well, since I am still considered a citizen, not an employee with special benefits.

I do not want to abuse my job in any way, basically...not to take advantage of it. I hope many of you understand. Thanks!

-Andrew

[JCarp]

Originally Posted by Azndragon837

As for the Hayden Ferry Lakeside B3 office building, no plans have been submitted yet. Right now, that whole area up against Mill and Rio Salado is being used as construction storage for the B2 12 -story tower. It is B3 that will be right up against the intersection, creating this pedestrian plaza that will guide people into the development. I believe SunCor is waiting on office occupation for B2, and as soon as vacancy rates for B2 dip below a certain percentage, that is when plans will be submitted to start B3.

-Andrew

If I am not mistaken, all of Hayden Ferry Lakeside B3 has been pre-leased to one large company. B2 should be done in the next few months, and I believe that construction on B3 will shortly follow.

[JCarp]

An image for the new page....

[Azndragon837]

Originally Posted by JCarp

If I am not mistaken, all of Hayden Ferry Lakeside B3 has been pre-leased to one large company. B2 should be done in the next few months, and I believe that construction on B3 will shortly follow.

Really? Wow, I did not know that...that is really awesome! Thanks for the info JCarp.

-Andrew

[Sekkle]

^^ Man, that garage is f**king enormous! Too bad they couldn't have done something underground for parking. It will be nice to see B3 get started. That's 10 stories, right?