For what it's worth, the Hub's lot wasn't always vacant. The Australian developers behind Lumina managed to clear the land the old national guard armory was on but that was obviously never built. I also recall that project was pre-sold in a day or two.
Damn guys. Chill out. I don't think savphili meant any harm. Just asking if anyone had a list. Not directing anyone to do it for him. Poor guy lol.
Thanks for sticking up for me, really appreciate that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by combusean
For what it's worth, the Hub's lot wasn't always vacant. The Australian developers behind Lumina managed to clear the land the old national guard armory was on but that was obviously never built. I also recall that project was pre-sold in a day or two.
In memoriam:
I remember when that project was proposed. I was so excited to hear about it and anticipate the construction.
Anyway, like I said earlier, I took some photos of The HUB on my tour on friday, thought I would share with you all.
This is the 4th floor amenity level where the study rooms, fitness center, tanning beds will be looking out this huge window to the "Amenity Deck" with the sand volley ball & pools...
This is the private patio on the south-west corner of the building on the 19th floor (top level). This patio is shared by two neighboring penthouse units.
Looking down at the Block construction site
Penthouse with hot tub on balcony (each penthouse has one)
View from 19th floor penthouse looking north. As you can see, it has great views into the stadium
Penthouse view south over "Amenity Deck" and ASU swimming pools.
Block 12 seems to be moving pretty quickly; between it and Marriott/Hub/Manzanita/ASU Business/The District/Gracies, it's great to see so many cranes and construction workers in Tempe again! I'll probably swing by some of these and take some pics this weekend; I also plan to check out the Argo site and see if anything's going on there yet.
Great pics and some amazing views! I like the building.
I am discouraged to see Block 12 oriented east to west, and not north to south taking up the entire block fronting College Ave. As it is, it appears as though there is going to be an remaining dead zone just to the north of it before you hit 6th St. It's good that there will be something else there someday, but I'm afraid we're going to have to wait a while for that.
Great pics and some amazing views! I like the building.
I am discouraged to see Block 12 oriented east to west, and not north to south taking up the entire block fronting College Ave. As it is, it appears as though there is going to be an remaining dead zone just to the north of it before you hit 6th St. It's good that there will be something else there someday, but I'm afraid we're going to have to wait a while for that.
That does seem to be the case. This is from the Arizona Board of Regents. I don't remember what (if anything) is proposed for the north side, though all the parcels in that block are owned by ABOR.
That does seem to be the case. This is from the Arizona Board of Regents. I don't remember what (if anything) is proposed for the north side, though all the parcels in that block are owned by ABOR.
ASU does have plans to develop the rest of the block. It will probably take some time, but they will landscape the area until something happens. As for the orientation, east west is ideal for passive cooling and heating. So i kinda like it.
By Dianna M. Náñez
The Republic | azcentral.com
Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:46 AM
A backlash from business owners has spurred Tempe to refine a $1.1million street project intended to make walking and biking safer on a busy strip of University Drive near downtown.
The city’s University Drive Streetscape project proposal includes a mix of median islands, landscaping, signalized crosswalks, improved bicycle lanes and sidewalk upgrades. The changes are targeted along University from Ash Avenue to Priest Drive.
Although the medians drew support from Tempe’s bicycling community, the city plans to reduce their length. The change is in response to merchants on University who said medians would inhibit vehicles driven by potential customers from making left turns into their businesses.
About a dozen bicyclists and business owners at odds over the proposed medians attended a City Council meeting last month to offer their thoughts.
Bicycling advocate Ryan Guzy is among the Tempe residents who expressed support for the center medians, saying it would increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists who share the street with vehicles.
Several Arizona State University students, who travel the street on their way to campus, told the council that they fear for their safety when competing with speeding cars in heavy traffic.
Merchants who spoke at the meeting agreed that the safety measures, including signalized crosswalks and landscaping, are much needed.
But business owners expressed concern over the median islands, describing them as a barrier to their businesses.
“I have not found a single (business) owner who wants medians on University Drive,” said Arthur Markman, who operates Tempe Feed & Tack on University.
But bicyclists say that the medians may increase the businesses’ customer base.
One ASU student told the council that “going down University on a bike is so stressful, I intentionally avoid it, and by doing so, I also avoid the businesses there.”
The exchange grew heated after the public comments when Mayor Mark Mitchell left the council dais to discuss merchants’ concerns. One business owner said Mitchell had ignored him while he was offering his thoughts to the council.
“You made a mockery of my time,” Markman said.
Mitchell apologized and said it was his intention to listen to the business community.
On Thursday, Greg Eccles, who owns Tops Liquors Plaza near Farmer Avenue and University, said Mitchell followed up with business owners after the council meeting, inviting them to a sit-down this month.
“I think it was impressive that he wanted to listen,” Eccles said. “There were about 20 business owners there.”
Eccles said many business owners back the project.
“We want the traffic safety,” he said, adding that the signalized crosswalks will “unite the neighborhoods” on the north and south sides of University.
However, Eccles said the medians aren’t just a barrier to traffic but could also create safety concerns.
“It would force them to make U-turns, which are very unsafe,” he said.
With an increase in residents riding bicycles as their primary mode of transportation, cities are forced to balance the needs of everyone using streets.
Miah Spring, who biked Thursday to Tempe Farmers Market on University and Farmer, said she opts for public transportation, bicycling and walking over driving a car.
Spring said that people do not realize how unsafe University and other Tempe streets near ASU are until they have biked or walked on them.
Spring said she was hospitalized last year after a car hit her while she was bicycling near Rio Salado and Packard Drive.
“I got smacked on my bike,” she said. “And that’s not anywhere near as busy as this part of University.”
Eric Iwersen, Tempe’s interim transportation planning manager, said the city is considering the needs of the community. He characterized the revisions to reduce the medians as minor adjustments.
“Our first priority is to make sure things are operating safely,” he said. “This refined median concept with less medians, it will improve the safety of the street while still recognizing the importance of business.”
Iwersen said the proposal includes adding two signalized crosswalks, at Farmer and at Roosevelt Street, to the approximately milelong project. That would make for a total of six signalized crosswalks, including the current ones at Priest Drive, Ash Avenue, Hardy Drive and Beck Avenue.
“For a mile section in Tempe that would be one of your highest number of signalized crosswalks,” he said.
Other amenities proposed for University would increase landscaping, a buffer that would texture portions of the street between the bike lanes and vehicle lanes as well texture areas bordering the crosswalks. Iwersen said the texture changes alert drivers to be more vigilant of pedestrians and bicyclists with whom they share the street.
Although drivers may make U-turns at the medians to enter a business, adding islands increases safety because it concentrates areas where drivers may make left turns, Iwersen said.
The city plans to complete the proposal this month. The project would be presented to the public at a meeting or through other notices. The city’s transportation commission and the council will review the changes.
Construction is expected to start after January 2014 and be completed before the end of that year.
Michelle Francis, who owns Rare Lion Antiques and Jewelry on University, said given the project’s importance to the community, the city owes it to residents and businesses to keep them aware of changes.
“Keep us informed, and do whatever they can to keep the street open during construction,” she said. “The economy is terrible. We need all the courtesy they can extend to us.”
Iwersen said that the city would keep the public informed and that the wealth of feedback is making for a better project.
“I think in the end we’re going to have a positive project that is supported by the business community and neighbors alike,” he said.
That and it also has a lot of retail spaces, which should help bridge the connection between Mill to College.
It is quite ugly, but it is a dense urban project, with a potential second phase. I'd much rather see tall projects with a lot of retail space, instead of squatty ugly projects like the District which add very little to the urban landscape.
Good points, and The Hub is in a location where there shouldn't be be any problem in filling up those retail spaces either. What about the District? Will it have retail space just like 922 Place(The Vue) right across the street?
Oh, and Savphili, nice set of pics. Thanks. While I don't particularly care for the looks of the The Hub from the exterior, it does however, have great views all around. I particularly like the view of Sun Devil Stadium. It will also have a good view of the aquatics center.
Good points, and The Hub is in a location where there shouldn't be be any problem in filling up those retail spaces either. What about the District? Will it have retail space just like 922 Place(The Vue) right across the street?
Oh, and Savphili, nice set of pics. Thanks. While I don't particularly care for the looks of the The Hub from the exterior, it does however, have great views all around. I particularly like the view of Sun Devil Stadium. It will also have a good view of the aquatics center.
The District does have retail facing Apache, but it is a really small space. I have a hard time envisioning what could go in there. It is going to be really narrow. Around 15' or so. Hopefuly something succeeds in there.
The views of the aquatic center from the hub are great. Unlike the stadium, where you have to be atleast on the 12th floor to start seeing any of the field, you can see the pools pretty much from the 5th floor units. It is going to be awsome to see both their pool areas and the ASU pool for whomever lives on the south facing units.
Great pics and some amazing views! I like the building.
I am discouraged to see Block 12 oriented east to west, and not north to south taking up the entire block fronting College Ave. As it is, it appears as though there is going to be an remaining dead zone just to the north of it before you hit 6th St. It's good that there will be something else there someday, but I'm afraid we're going to have to wait a while for that.
Block 12 seems to be moving pretty quickly; between it and Marriott/Hub/Manzanita/ASU Business/The District/Gracies, it's great to see so many cranes and construction workers in Tempe again! I'll probably swing by some of these and take some pics this weekend; I also plan to check out the Argo site and see if anything's going on there yet.
Plus SRC expansion or Sun Devil Fitness Complex. Along with the plans for the SDS and Rio Salado Stadium District that are going to be revealed soon.
Yeah I've seen the renderings megabass, I just thought the street in the foreground was college. Although i guess now in the second one i see the hub so I can orient the building from that.
Oh, wow. What a mess. I was so excited to see density and height spreading east of Mill, but these buildings looked 10x better when they were just skeletons. The Marriott was at least expected- it's fairly consistent with the rendering. I would've love to have seen a more unique design, instead of throwing space-ship wings atop the typical Marrriott form, colors, etc. But, a 10(ish) story structure, while having little visual impact, will hopefully benefit the area: height, filling in a dirt lot, bringing life to the area and hopefully bringing enough foot traffic to justify filling in some of the retail in that monstrous City garage.
The Hub, OTOH, is almost shockingly ugly. I hated when they changed the design from two towers to the L-shape, but was so impressed by the design that I got over it. But, now, it is just an overhelming mass of value-engineered crap. Being such a huge structure, it needed all of the light and air it could get.
Definitely up there with the Palomar as one of the worst-designed buildings that have gone up since I have been in Phoenix. As if the colors and STUCCO weren't bad enough, they kept a lot of the features that really don't seem to fit now that the design is so much less modern- the cutouts, etc.
I'm a little nervous for Block 12 now. The design reminds me a bit of the structure just finished downtown on 7th on the Bio campus. Interesting concept, but ended up sloppy and out of control. For the sake of this area, I hope it turns out okay.
News on a new Senior Housing project on Farmer, just north of Encore.
With a projected late 2014 completion, no value has been placed on the four-story, 30-unit project, 615 S. Farmer Ave. The developers plan 2K SF on the ground floor, similar to their first TOD, Encore on Farmer, situated next door. Encore is five stories with 56 units
I'm a little nervous for Block 12 now. The design reminds me a bit of the structure just finished downtown on 7th on the Bio campus. Interesting concept, but ended up sloppy and out of control. For the sake of this area, I hope it turns out okay.
While biking at the lake last weekend, I saw some dirt being moved between the NEC of Rural/Rio Salado (the ASU parking lot) and the proposed Villas at South Bank site. I think the work was being done on land owned by ASU, and not the Villas site, and it could have just been some utility work or flattening for more parking or something, but I couldn't really tell. I'm gonna try to get over there again this weekend and take a picture, maybe try to figure out what they're doing. Anyone else know what the deal is?
I'm not 100% sure, but I thought ALL of the land east of that lot was part of SouthBank. Would be nice if it was for the Villas project (17 story senior housing + 2 story commercial) or this part: http://awolff.com/urban/south-bank/
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