Phoenix Development News (3)

[HooverDam]

Some news from a little birdy....


Portland Place phase II may be happening! There's apparently some renewed interest in the project. If you recall the old renderings were of Phase II being a bit taller than Phase I, then Phase III being taller still.

Thats now out. Phase II will be a hybrid of Phase II and III, one wider building. It'll be about 11 stories facing Hance Park. 4 stories facing Portland Parkway. With a wrapped/hidden garage in between. There will also be ground floor office space along Portland Parkway where the developer will likely move their offices (Habitat Metro) and they're trying to attract architects, designers, etc. to office there.

[Vicelord John]

that's my favorite street/neighborhood in phoenix, so I hope it gets finished. I love that parkway, I love the feel of Roosevelt between 3rd and Central, it's just the one place that really feels like a vibrant city. I ate at Pita Jungle last night with my dad and we had a window seat on roosevelt, must have seen 100+ bicycles go by, joggers, people headed places, it was just awesome. Even on Portland Street, you get the impression you are in a big city.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by Vicelord John

that's my favorite street/neighborhood in phoenix, so I hope it gets finished. I love that parkway, I love the feel of Roosevelt between 3rd and Central, it's just the one place that really feels like a vibrant city. I ate at Pita Jungle last night with my dad and we had a window seat on roosevelt, must have seen 100+ bicycles go by, joggers, people headed places, it was just awesome. Even on Portland Street, you get the impression you are in a big city.

I second that. It's really urban and pedestrian friendly.

[Classical in Phoenix]

Great News! And I third the above comment.

[nickw252]

Native Connections:



It doesn't look like much has happened recently.

Sheriff's Office:





Right across the street from Roosevelt Point (also posted in RoPo Thread).

[savphili]

Originally Posted by Arquitect

The developer is Avalon Partners out of Chicago. They are using an architecture firm from Chicago for the design. It is actualy going to be pretty cool. It is 5 4 story buildings linked by an open catwalk. It should fit in very nicely in Arcadia. And I really like their choice of materials. It will like nice and contemporary.

Thanks for the extra information. Where are you getting it? From the architect/developers page?

[Arquitect]

Originally Posted by savphili

Thanks for the extra information. Where are you getting it? From the architect/developers page?

Cant really reveal too much how i have access, (since I like my job) but i saw the plans for the project.

[Don B.]

I took a bunch of photos yesterday morning while tooling around in the convertible. I really like how Roosevelt is starting to mature. The farmers market on Central Avenue is pleasant enough, although some of the prices had me gasping for breath.

--don

[trigirdbers]

Welp, looks like the law school move is a done deal.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2012/12/11/phoenix-gives-asu-12-million-to-move.html

[nickw252]

More information on the Elevation Central development that was mentioned a few weeks ago.

Elevation on Central will be a true urban, in-fill, transit oriented (TOD) community located on the Central Avenue leg of the METRO light rail line in Phoenix. Its unique location in Uptown (just south of Camelback Road) will give residents excellent access, via light rail, to downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. In addition, residents will be within walking distance of the thriving Central & Camelback neighborhood which offers a wide variety of current restaurants, bars and nightlife opportunities. This urban corridor has seen significant gentrification and has become very popular among younger residents. Elevation on Central will be designed with this demographic segment in mind.

The 266-unit (78 units/acre) four-story, wood frame community will wrap a 6 story concrete parking structure. Elevation on Central will be designed with a contemporary flare while complimenting the architecture feel of its closest neighbor, the Brophy College Prep and Xavier College Prep campus, the 50 acre landmark that is home to the highly acclaimed Catholic high schools. The community will offer studio, one, and two bedroom units averaging 758 sf and a long list of Class A amenities including a two-story, fitness center looking out on Central Avenue and a resort style swimming pool.

Construction is scheduled to commence in June 2013 with the first units available in August 2014.

http://veduraresidential.com/home/elevation-central

From BREWAZ:

Vedura Residential is working on plans to develop a multi-family apartment complex at the southwest corner of Central and Highland avenues in Phoenix. The property is across the street from the Brophy College Preparatory campus and the St. Francis Xavier church and grade school. The 4.23-acre site is owned by Central Highland L.P., a partnership formed by Sunbelt Holdings Inc. in Scottsdale (John Graham, pres.). In February 2010, BREW reported the Sunbelt Holdings entity paying $2.86 million in cash for the property. Vedura Residential is in for zoning in Phoenix to develop a 266-unit apartment project on the site. If Phoenix approves the plans, the apartment project will be the second that Vedura Residential will develop in the state.

http://www.brewaz.com/content/index_stor..._num=46&issue_date=November%2030,%202012

[Vicelord John]

Pretty suburban.

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by Vicelord John

Pretty suburban.

How so? Its built right up to the street, no huge amount of surface parking, not one of those goofy gated garage entrances, decent density, etc. Seems OK, though not great to me. It sure would be nice to have some retail along Central, the Fitness Center facing Central is good, Im assuming they'll also have a Leasing Office along Central too, but a diner or something would be nice.

Though I guess the street facing retail at Tapestry on Central has been empty for an eternity, so including it is likely a tough sell to developers.

[Tylerrrr]

Yeah. No retail for pedestrians to shop at. No shade for pedestrians to walk under. And the one buildings, one use stretches the whole block. For the light rail, urban, pedestrian friendly corridor of Phoenix, this misses the mark. But at least it means more people downtown/uptown. Could be a lot worse, but def could be better.

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by Tylerrrr

Yeah. No retail for pedestrians to shop at. No shade for pedestrians to walk under. And the one buildings, one use stretches the whole block. For the light rail, urban, pedestrian friendly corridor of Phoenix, this misses the mark. But at least it means more people downtown/uptown. Could be a lot worse, but def could be better.

I don't disagree. I just don't think its 'suburban', its more just 'blah'. But hopefully this is just a first rendering and nothing set in stone.

One of the big problems is that the Urban Form Code only applies to Downtown. Its a ridiculous joke that our Planning Dept. didn't have form based code already applied to the entirety of the LRT line.

[Tylerrrr]

Agreed. Let's hope! Those were just my first thoughts when I saw the rendering. It would be nice if we didnt build any more 'blah' zones on major pedestrian streets like Central.

[Leo the Dog]

Very few of those residents will ride Metro rail.

[Vicelord John]

Doesn't appear from the rendering that there is a lobby/building off central. There should be.

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by Vicelord John

Pretty suburban.

I actually agree somewhat. I could see this fitting in perfectly around the Kierland area, not on N. Central though. While it will bring in residential living in a relatively dense setting, it still has a 6 story car garage and I don't see any doorways, stairs or much access to the street that would promote pedestrian activities.

[nickw252]

Anyone know about this? It's right beside the George and Dragon on North Central Ave.

[HooverDam]

^ Its been under construction for a while, those renderings look real sharp. I haven't heard anything about any tenants yet, though Im hoping for a restaurant or bar to create some nice synergy w/ George & Dragon.