Tempe Development Thread

[jvbahn]

Sometimes it's good to have something to remember what everything was once like. I'm tired of always tearing down history just because it doesn't fit with the new sanitized idea of what a city should be. A little dirt, grit, and mess keeps the place a bit alive. Otherwise it just all becomes boring yuppieville.

John, is there anyplace anymore that gives out cocktails for free? I'll buy you a round at Durant's when I'm in PHX next, just because you're the only one who makes a point to include a cuss word in every post. You're the La Casa Vieja of the forum.

[Vicelord John]

Originally Posted by jvbahn

John, is there anyplace anymore that gives out cocktails for free? I'll buy you a round at Durant's when I'm in PHX next, just because you're the only one who makes a point to include a cuss word in every post. You're the La Casa Vieja of the forum.

I'm an old house?

and no, there aren't too many places whom give out free drinks, but the smart places treat me right.

oh..... fuck.

[vertex]

Originally Posted by sundevilgrad

Glad to see that Tempe will perserve it's history but at the same time improve what is fastly becoming an eye sore in the shadow of all the new development.

La Casa Vieja, an eyesore? You are kidding, right?

[Downtown_resident]

Obviously an eyesore when juxtaposed with that gorgeous new eight-story parking garage across the street.

http://downtownphoenix.blogspot.com

[jvbahn]

I was referencing the whole non-sanitized, edgy situation, referring to the "La Casa Vieja" being original, instead of an eyesore. Oh well, I guess my sense of humor has become too subtle.

[sundevilgrad]

I'm not trying to start World War III, I love Monti's and the history. In my personal opinion the building looks tacky from the Mill Ave/Rio Salado perspectives. Again, this is only opinion and does not reflect the way I think about all historic buildings, just this one. The building, to me, doesn't have the same appeal as say the house that Casey Moore's is located in, or the Four Peaks warehouse, or the House of Tricks house, or some of the older buildings in the Roosevelt district in DT Phoenix. Again, this is only my opinion. I'm glad they're keeping it, but I don't think it's a "great" historic building.

[desertdj]

In case you haven't noticed, the old pizza place in the background of this photo is gone.



And here is a potential new condo, on 5th street just east of Priest.

[SethAZ]

There is also a zoning sign on Hardy, just north of 5th. If I remember correctly, it was for 7 townhouses. (Almost right next to the Dolce Villagio project.)

[trigirdbers]

Does anyone know anything about the Tempe Gateway project?

[100smillave]

Originally Posted by sundevilgrad

I'm not trying to start World War III, I love Monti's and the history. In my personal opinion the building looks tacky from the Mill Ave/Rio Salado perspectives. Again, this is only opinion and does not reflect the way I think about all historic buildings, just this one. The building, to me, doesn't have the same appeal as say the house that Casey Moore's is located in, or the Four Peaks warehouse, or the House of Tricks house, or some of the older buildings in the Roosevelt district in DT Phoenix. Again, this is only my opinion. I'm glad they're keeping it, but I don't think it's a "great" historic building.

I have been lurking here, but I had to chime in at this point.

I admit that a stucco-covered, boxy sonoran-style rowhouse is not, to some, electrifying at first glance. Such a structure is utilitarian by nature--materials at hand were used to create a sturdy shelter from a harsh climate. Furthermore, most of the real fun at La Casa Vieja is in the eclectic, funky interior that has evolved and changed over time.

Having said this, I am nonetheless excited at the prospect of freshening the first impression that people will have as they cross the bridge. Architect Michael Wilson Kelly is working on a knockout patio design that we hope to implement soon. I chose Kelly because he is Tempe-based, at the Orchid House, because of his past work on adaptive reuse and surveys of other historic properties, and because of his success with Axis-Radius and other F&B venues. Kelly will be sensitive to the historic context. I may be able to post color renderings by Friday.

Many years ago--before they started using Led Zeppelin music in TV spots-- a GM executive was quoted as saying that the problem was that "the average age of the Cadillac driver is dead." I don't want this to happen to my place. Beefeaters and Bobby McGees come to mind....where are they now? Remember Pulos' Spaghetti Company on Mill? I am confident that the coming changes will make Monti's and the Hayden House/La Casa Vieja as appealing to future generations as it has been for the past four or so.

Shifting gears, I love the idea of touring "legacy" steak houses along the light rail line. I'll join you all, and when we reach my stop I will personally tell the many great (tall) tales of its history.

Remember, I have lived my entire life in and around La Casa Vieja. I am going to see to it that the right thing is done by it.

Thanks for all of your comments,
Michael Monti

[vertex]

damn...

I really look forward to seeing the plans.

[Vicelord John]

If you are Michael, then you'd appreciate the feedback. Most of my guests whom have been to your restaurant ask if there is something "younger" in town. I'd consider some changes to make your restaurant appleal to the younger crowd as well. Something in Tempe which is both upscale and trendy could really flourish. Honestly, really the only restaurant which comes close to fitting that bill is House of Tricks.

[JimInCal]

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/03/26/story1.html?b=1174881600^1435988

The full Monti: Tempe mainstay selling site, staying open
The Business Journal of Phoenix - March 23, 2007by Jan BuchholzThe Business Journal

The owners of one of Tempe's oldest businesses, Monti's La Casa Vieja Steakhouse, have struck a deal with a local developer to sell the restaurant's 2.5-acre site at the corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.

Steak lovers can rest easy: The restaurant will continue to operate.

After entertaining dozens of bids and proposals during the past year, owners Michael Monti and Eddie Goitia will work with Phoenix-based 3W Cos., a partner in the nearby University Square project.

"We did not set out to market this property," Monti said. "Eddie and I were just looking forward to more people living down here."

Monti said, "The sense of urgency (to sell) was created by US Airways."

About a year ago, Monti said, US Airways Group Inc. approached him about selling the 24,000-square-foot restaurant and adjacent parking lot. The company was trying to honor development promises America West Airlines had made to the city of Tempe in exchange for land the city had given the airline to establish its headquarters there, he said. (US Airways and America West merged last year.)

Monti said he asked the carrier what its plans were for the property, and US Airways responded with a proposal to turn the site into a parking garage. Given the restaurant's premium location in downtown Tempe, and just a skip away from one of Tempe's future light rail stations, Monti was not impressed.

"We decided to go it alone," he said.

Morgan Durrant, a spokesperson for US Airways, said he couldn't comment about the airline approaching Monti, but noted that the company is working with Opus West Corp. to build the Tempe Gateway project, an eight-story retail and office complex that will be constructed on other land it owns near the restaurant.

The plans, which Durrant said will meet the airline's development obligations, were submitted to the city the first week of March and are under consideration.

US Airways' pursuit of the Monti's property created a demand for the site that Monti never expected.

"It set off a bizarre land rush ... every time Eddie and I turned around, someone would approach us about selling," Monti said.

Essential components of any deal, he said, were to preserve the original 11,000-square-foot adobe structure -- built in 1871 by Arizona's prominent Charles Hayden family and listed on the National Register of Historic Places -- and to provide future accommodations for the restaurant and Monti's growing catering business.

Tony Wall, president of the privately held 3W, did not disclose a purchase price but said he expects to close on the property this summer. He said it probably will be a mixed-use project, but specifics had not yet been worked out.

"Our company really believes in Tempe," Wall said. "This is sort of a three-W kind of thing: a win for preservation, a win for redevelopment and a win for Tempe. It's a special piece of ground."

Chris Salomone, manager of the city of Tempe's Community Development Department, said he was unaware of any plans to sell the Monti's property and therefore was unable to comment.

"The issue was, who am I confident (going forward with) who respects the traditions and heritage of the Hayden family and my family," Monti said. "So many developers were uninformed about its historic character."

The property is situated kitty-corner from the new Hayden Ferry Lakeside commercial development and across the street from the Hayden Flour Mill, another historic site scheduled for preservation and multiuse redevelopment.

"Both of these great structures are being preserved," Monti said. "I wish my dad was here so he could see it."

His father, Leonard Monti Sr., purchased La Casa Vieja (Spanish for "the old house") in 1954. By then it already was a historic structure. Charles Trumbull Hayden originally built it as his home and business: the Hayden Ferry service, which transported people across what at the time was the free-flowing Salt River.

Arizona's famous Sen. Carl Hayden, son of Charles and Sallie, was born in the original adobe home. Eventually, the Haydens moved to another part of town and converted the house into a bar and restaurant. They lost the property during the financial turbulence of the Depression, but other proprietors carried on the dining tradition until Leonard Monti bought it.

For many years, it was the premier local restaurant, attracting locals and celebrities alike. Monti remembers James Garner and Dick Van Dyke dining there. Carmen Miranda and Elvis Presley also were guests. Former Arizona State University football coach Frank Kush took players and colleagues in for drinks and dinner. Phoenix Suns basketball player Steve Nash is one of today's more famous regular customers.

"We don't so much cater to celebrities these days ... but in that day, we had it all," Monti said.

When the original adobe is redeveloped, most likely within two to three years, Monti hopes to cater heavily to businesspeople working at the upscale commercial developments surrounding Tempe Town Lake, as well as affluent condominium buyers who are paying more than $1 million for waterside high-rise living.

Toward that end, Monti is planning to expand the restaurant's alfresco dining experience with more sophisticated patio seating on two levels, with views and misting systems.

"I want the guys in those offices to look down on our patio and say, 'I can't wait to have a margarita there after work,'" Monti said.

[100smillave]

John

1. Yes, I am "really" Michael Monti, in the flesh and blood. (Who else would I be? )

2. I do appreciate frank and constructive feedback. House of Tricks is where I took my wife to woo her on our first date. It is no concidence that Michael Kelly--referenced in the post above-- also designed their patio.

3. Wait for the renderings he is delivering to me next week. ;-)

Regards
MLM

[vertex]

John, I don't think that Monti's is hard-up for any business. It's classic, meat-eaters fare; an 'old-man's' steakhouse, and I've never seen the place empty.

I love House of Tricks too, but people have their expectations about both places. I wouldn't expect to see a Chilean wine tasting at Monti's, and I wouldn't expect to see Monti's Pork Chop dinnerplate at HoT's.

I like the patina that 'the cave' has managed to developed over the years. It's authentic, and while I support change, I just hate to see the wrong changes applied.

[PHX31]

Michael,
I'm an ASU grad and I've been up and down Mill hundreds of times and to your restaurant a bunch. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a huge, possibly tacky, billboard in front of the building? If so, if I'm remembering right, it is possible that billboard could trick someone (not Sundevilgrad, I know he knows the history of the building) into thinking the buiding is merely a modern replica of a very old building. One that doesn't fit into the sparkle of the new Mill Ave.
Overall I don't know how anyone could call the actual historic (territorial?) Monti's building tacky. It is awesome and amazing something from the 1870's is still around, I'm actually shocked someone from this forum would call that type of historic building that. I am hoping the expansion goes off well and creates a new place that even more people can enjoy.

[Vicelord John]

Originally Posted by vertex

John, I don't think that Monti's is hard-up for any business. It's classic, meat-eaters fare; an 'old-man's' steakhouse, and I've never seen the place empty.

I love House of Tricks too, but people have their expectations about both places. I wouldn't expect to see a Chilean wine tasting at Monti's, and I wouldn't expect to see Monti's Pork Chop dinnerplate at HoT's.

I like the patina that 'the cave' has managed to developed over the years. It's authentic, and while I support change, I just hate to see the wrong changes applied.

In no way was I implying the restaurant is hard up or of poor quality. I do however get a lot of feedback from guests who have been there. I fear if they do not do something to attract the younger clientele, they may lose a lot of their client base, which as I see is mostly older.

[combusean]

Michael,

It's good to see people like you joining the forum. Welcome to what I hope will be many thoughtful discussions.

I appreciate your design eye in not caving out to America West to build a parking garage on your site. I have spent a lot of time looking at what one could do with the spare land on your site while respecting the history of the original building,

If you are looking for good feedback, then you will receive it once you post the plans here. I am looking forward to them.

Secondly, I'm not so sure about the need to keep the younger clientele in mind. Some Valley institutions are just that, never appreciated until you're old enough and have the job to support a dinner bill there. Maybe 2-4-1 night? But sometimes there is merit in tuning practices to appease a whole generation too new and inexperienced to appreciate the place for what it is and has been.

But it's "La Casa Vieja". If its setting, style, and name still call it tourist kitsch, maybe downtown Tempe is doomed?

--sean

[HooverDam]

PLEASE DON'T FUCK UP MONTI'S.

I think its fantastic the way it is, a great place to get a steak. Please don't turn it into something like AZ88's or any of those other techno blaring, "hip", places that "young people like" (I'm 23, and I don't know a single person my age that can stand eating at those sorts of places). I think Monti's is fantastic the way it is, and if I had a friend ask for something "younger" I think I'd tell them to go jump in the lake.

I trust Mr Monti knows what he's doing though, he's obviously an astute business man.

[Vicelord John]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

PLEASE DON'T FUCK UP MONTI'S.

I think its fantastic the way it is, a great place to get a steak. Please don't turn it into something like AZ88's or any of those other techno blaring, "hip", places that "young people like" (I'm 23, and I don't know a single person my age that can stand eating at those sorts of places). I think Monti's is fantastic the way it is, and if I had a friend ask for something "younger" I think I'd tell them to go jump in the lake.

I trust Mr Monti knows what he's doing though, he's obviously an astute business man.

When did I say anything like that? techno? "younger" just means maybe offer an interesting "house drink" menu, or a couple of menu items that are just a little on the edge. I didn't mean turn it into a night club. Being in the business I am, I've watched Beefeater's, Stockyard's, and a couple other gems lose out becuase they just couldnt keep up. I just think if downtown Tempe continues to become more of a cosmopolitan city, it may be beneficial to make a couple small tweaks.