Freeport-McMoRan Center (One Central Park East) - Phoenix, AZ - Page 38

Don B. · #**741** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 3:26 PM**

^ That's never going to happen. For one thing, it would almost totally block all of the office tower's views looking north. For another thing, I don't think Phoenix's zoning will permit two relatively tall towers like this that close together. Finally, there's little demand for anything like this at the moment, or for the forseeable future (e.g. like the next 1-5 years).

A taller, skinny tower at the extreme NW corner might be doable, but otherwise I don't think we will see anything over about 10 stories on these vacant parcels of land.

--don

HX_Guy · #**742** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 4:40 PM**

That was the plan, a tower in the NW corner, which is probably the reason they setback the tower from Central Ave. That way, only a small portion of each tower's views are blocked.

Jsmscaleros · #**743** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 5:50 PM**

^^^^^^ The block isn't nearly big enough to support this design. The second tower would be right on top of Central Ave. if the OCPE model was built to scale.

My guess is that this scrapped preliminary design has an entirely different OCPE tower that is about half as narrow as the final.

HX_Guy · #**744** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 6:15 PM**

Whats wrong with it right on top of Central with no setback?

digital phoenix · #**745** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 9:49 PM**

^^^^^ What I think Jsmscaleros means is that the north building would actually be well past central and probably almost touching 1st ave. The plan is too big for the block if the OCPE tower in the model is real scale... which it is not. You can see that the tower is much thinner than what was actually built.

That model is a completely different design plan.

plinko · #**746** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 10:55 PM**

Are you guys looking at the same model as we are? You could easily still build that plan on the OCPE block, but the current economics don't make sense.

Leo the Dog · #**747** Posted **Apr 26, 2009, 1:54 PM**

Let's hope this building finds some tenants soon. It would be great to see this building at 100% with hundreds of employees walking around DT.

gymratmanaz · #**748** Posted **May 7, 2009, 1:47 AM**

They started putting the horizontal fins on the north side of the building!!!!! Looks even better with them. I am sure the extra cool vertical glass sections will be added soon after that...or at the same time as they progress from east to west of the facade.!!!!!!

CANUC · #**749** Posted **May 7, 2009, 5:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by digital phoenix

^^^^^ What I think Jsmscaleros means is that the north building would actually be well past central and probably almost touching 1st ave. The plan is too big for the block if the OCPE tower in the model is real scale... which it is not. You can see that the tower is much thinner than what was actually built.

That model is a completely different design plan.

Actually that block is more than big enough for two buildings. The original design called for two buildings. Cityscape also designed two buildings per block as did Colliers. It was the economics that killed it not size. The idea that only one building will fit is what got downtown in trouble in the first place. These super block developments with just one tower setback from all the streets placed smack in the middle of the block, think Chase tower with its freaking moat. Hell in reality that block and most downtown could contain four towers.

HX_Guy · #**750** Posted **May 7, 2009, 5:22 PM**

You could absolutely fit 4 buildings on one block, though different heights would probably be best.

Think of the block that 44 Monroe is on. You've got 44 Monroe taking up 1/4, the parking garage taking up 1/4, and then the Security Building and the San Carlos taking up the rest.

CANUC · #**751** Posted **May 7, 2009, 5:37 PM**

You actually beat me to it. I was going to use that example as a rebuttal if someone claimed it couldn’t be done. I think that block is the best example of what’s missing downtown. It is one of the areas that feels truly urban, dense and walk-able. It also seems to be one of the most photographed blocks downtown when people want to show Phoenix’s urban side. I think it also illustrates poor planning when going north on Central Ave you have on your left a wall of urban buildings and on your right a detracted suburban high-rise. It’s a shame that the detracted one also happens to be our tallest.

Jsmscaleros · #**752** Posted **May 7, 2009, 6:20 PM**

I know that more than one building can fit in that block... sigh. What I was trying to say is that the particular model that was shown on the last page is a different design plan than what was actually built - the taller tower is a different shape and size to the OCPE actually standing today. I think Digital Phoenix and I are on the same page.

Regardless, I think it would be fantastic if every block was built up as it should be with structures that pull up to the curb on all four sides. That's the kind of density all us tower enthusiasts like.

**EDIT: I re-read my first post; it is confusing and I apologize.

HX_Guy · #**753** Posted **May 8, 2009, 8:02 PM**

Fins!

gymratmanaz · #**754** Posted **May 9, 2009, 12:24 AM**

Cool rappelling picture!!!!!!

NIXPHX77 · #**755** Posted **May 9, 2009, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

You could absolutely fit 4 buildings on one block, though different heights would probably be best.

Think of the block that 44 Monroe is on. You've got 44 Monroe taking up 1/4, the parking garage taking up 1/4, and then the Security Building and the San Carlos taking up the rest.

there's actually a 5th bldg on that block - that 50s or 60s contemp. offc bldg at about 12 stories. it unfortunately blocks the beautifully ornate cupola-like topping to the Security Bldg. when viewing from the south. i'd love to cut off or set back about the top 5 floors of that mid-block bldg. to re-open that view.

OCPE is looking wonderful!

Tranquility · #**756** Posted **May 12, 2009, 10:01 PM**

so when does this building open? have they finished the interior?

combusean · #**757** Posted **May 12, 2009, 11:26 PM**

The building is only the shell. The tenants are to finish the interior themselves, and it doesn't look like anything like that is going on....Tho I'm curious why the lights are/were off on one of the floors.

combusean · #**758** Posted **May 12, 2009, 11:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CANUC

You actually beat me to it. I was going to use that example as a rebuttal if someone claimed it couldn’t be done. I think that block is the best example of what’s missing downtown. It is one of the areas that feels truly urban, dense and walk-able. It also seems to be one of the most photographed blocks downtown when people want to show Phoenix’s urban side. I think it also illustrates poor planning when going north on Central Ave you have on your left a wall of urban buildings and on your right a detracted suburban high-rise. It’s a shame that the detracted one also happens to be our tallest.

The moat surrounding Chase Tower was not unintentional... In 1971, you wouldn't be caught dead in some parts of downtown or you would be.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=153763

for more.

PHX31 · #**759** Posted **May 13, 2009, 10:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

Fins!

What do you mean by "Fins" HX_Guy? I don't really notice anything in your picture.

HX_Guy · #**760** Posted **May 13, 2009, 11:11 PM**

There are 10 (actually 9 1/2, since one isn't completely done) horizontal gray fins on the front right side of the building.