The Low Down on the SE Corner of McDowell and 7th Avenue
by Taz Loomans
When driving by the new redevelopment on the SE corner of McDowell and 7th Avenue, you might do a double take and ask yourself whether you are in the suburbs or in the heart of Phoenix. That’s because the facade of the building, with it’s flat stucco texture, pastel colors, cookie cutter metal decorations, and worst of all, the brick veneer is a style more found in the suburbs, where cutting edge architecture is not as easily swallowed as in urban areas.
Many people, including those who live in Willo and the Central Phoenix community at large, are upset at this suburban (less risky, vanilla, and plain mediocre) attempt on this beloved, historic and important corner of Phoenix. Judging from their reactions, here in Central Phoenix, people demand a little more sense of place, a certain funkiness, some pushing of the envelope and certainly an acknowledgement of history.
A good example is just across the street – the Pei Wei/Starbucks/Side Bar building. It has stucco on parts of it, but yet it very much embraces its historic character. The corrugated metal details on the exterior also help make it fit into the urban context and create a new identity.
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The current street view of the SE corner complex. Photo by the author.

Rendering of the vision for the SE corner complex. Image courtesy of Niels Kriepke. [what might have been]
read here:
http://www.fireflyliving.com/uncategoriz...he-se-corner-of-mcdowell-and-7th-avenue/