Phoenix Development News (3)

[phoenixwillrise]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Talton on Hance Park:



http://www.roguecolumnist.com/rogue_columnist/2013/05/reinventing-hance-park.html

Totally agree with what you propose with a couple of additions. I would declare this park one area of the city where we don't have to go nuts on water conservation as I would add a gigantic water fountain that would be so dynamic and large just standing by it you would feel the air temperature 10 degrees cooler. I would have additional water features and like you say shade. I would also have a huge walk through green house air conditioned where beautiful plants from all over the world could grow. In addition I would have an immense rain forest since we have the heat just add the water with hidden sprinklers and misters. I would add other amenities including a first class food court with local cuisine. Make this a place to be and be seen, make it the social heart of the city of Phoenix or don't do anything at all.

[HX_Guy]

Anyone know if this is something old and forgotten or if it's actually something in the works? Found it on the DAVIS website.

[combusean]

I remember finding those renderings a long time ago and posting them here. Pretty sure it's old and forgotten.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

Anyone know if this is something old and forgotten or if it's actually something in the works? Found it on the DAVIS website.

80s Honolulu chic.

[phxSUNSfan]

Here we go again with the "Phoenix poised to pass Philadelphia" in population cheers....It looks like Phoenix has returned to being one of the fastest growing cities. Hopefully, the slower growth rate (compared to the boom years) means that the city can attract more people to the core as new housing is built within the city's existing urban footprint. Buckeye was the state's fastest growing city...adding 2,200 people (+4.1). Let's hope that decreases until we get some commuter rail out that way. Yuma was one of the only larger cities in Arizona to lose people. Tucson is just over negative growth rate territory, increasing slightly by only 0.2%.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/arizon...uckeyes-surge-ranks-th-us.html#protected

[Prestige Worldwide]

"Phoenix poised to pass Philadelphia"

...unless we're talking about quality, I couldn't care otherwise. (You think San Francisco laments when some city passes them in the population count???)

Sadly developers are still going to focus on building in Buckeye, Pinal County, and other far-flung unimaginative locales. They aren't inclined to deal with complex projects that lower their ROI. However, they are never going to be able to command the same dollar for their product as in the 20th Century. Also, they aren't building in desirable areas and living 25+ miles from the core is not as 'chic' as it used to be.

We need better public policy to encourage a different real estate product for the consumer. I think we are nudging in the right direction, but just not as quickly as we all would like.

[phxSUNSfan]

Originally Posted by Prestige Worldwide

"Phoenix poised to pass Philadelphia"

...unless we're talking about quality, I couldn't care otherwise. (You think San Francisco laments when some city passes them in the population count???)

We need better public policy to encourage a different real estate product for the consumer. I think we are nudging in the right direction, but just not as quickly as we all would like.

So true about the population count. When I saw that subheading I just rolled my eyes. We've been here before...the Census Bureau and state agencies overestimated the growth of metro Phoenix in 2006. Phoenix supposedly became the 5th largest city before the bust but those gains were never realized. The only benefit of Phoenix (proper) gaining more residents is that the city will continue to get more funding from the state.

There are some added benefits now to developing in downtown and Central Phoenix. Much more can be done, including: 1) finally getting the Deck (Hance) Park right, 2) continue making downtown more bike and pedestrian friendly as it will help to attract more residents, especially urban-minded folk. I do think we are moving in the right direction and I see these type of projects gaining in popularity.

[phxSUNSfan]

Couldn't decide if this was development news or more on the transportation side, then realized it doesn't really matter...

A Q&A with Mayor Stanton about the city's plan to spend $1.5 million to enhance bike infrastructure and develop better bike lanes...some of the money will also be used for a bike sharing program.

http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20130524into-mind-greg-stanton.html

[phxSUNSfan]

About downtown revenue growth:

• Revenues in the first quarter of 2013 for restaurants and bars were up 17.4% when compared with the same quarter in 2012.

• Additionally, spurred by the opening of the Hotel Palomar last summer, hotel revenues were up 40.5% when compared with the first quarter of 2012 (Occupancy and revenue per room rates have increased for the other existing Downtown hotels).

• There are 35% more businesses and services listed in the most recent issue when compared with 2007.

http://www.downtownphoenix.com/blog/2013/05/downtown-revenue-growth-continues/

[phxSUNSfan]

The new nightclubs along Washington have really increased their attractiveness. Too bad VLJ isn't here to "colorfully" express his dislike for these places! haha I haven't been to Monarch Theater yet...wondering if it is as nice a place to dance as this article makes it sound?

http://www.downtownphoenix.com/blog/2013...-get-enough-dancing-in-downtown-phoenix/

[Arquitect]

Daltnpapi4u shared this in the Tempe thread, but as PHX31 pointed out, this actually belongs in the Phoenix thread:

Originally Posted by Daltnpapi4u

check out Davis website. They show a video/renderings for the W Phoenix it looks very recent with CityScape built in the background. Is it possible the W could be back?

http://thedavisexperience.com/home.php

Not sure how real this proposal is, since there really has been no rumors about the W coming back to life, but it would be a huge addition to the downtown core.

[PHX31]

Thanks^ any chance you can post the pics of it? I can't see it for some reason on my phone. If not i can do it tomorrow at work.

[phxSUNSfan]

Originally Posted by Arquitect

Not sure how real this proposal is, since there really has been no rumors about the W coming back to life, but it would be a huge addition to the downtown core.

PHX31, it is a video, not pictures. The YouTube link below should play on your phone. The video is a couple of years old. It was released in 2011 by Kitchen Sink Studios. According to the YouTube narrative:

This video is an innovative marriage of video and animation created by the Kitchen Sink Studios, Inc. team for DAVIS Architects.

The animation depicts DAVIS' concept for a W Hotel in downtown Phoenix next to US Airways Center. While the project has been put on hold, the design was so bold and innovative that DAVIS wanted to show what kind of dramatic effect it might have on the Phoenix skyline should construction resume at some point in the future.

Kitchen Sink's creative team wanted to show a glimpse inside of the minds of the DAVIS team, so we actually filmed them as they "designed" the building from the ground up on tablet computers, making it literally rise into the air with each stroke of their fingertips.

The video then shows the dramatic design elements, including some striking balcony features and an exterior design with sharp and dramatic edges that make it a true visual attraction in the context of the existing Phoenix skyline. The video also uses time-lapse photography, combined with the animation, to show the kind of energy, foot traffic and life it would bring to the downtown area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5dqpbHhmI

[PHX31]

Got it, thanks. I remember that now.

[Sepstein]

Ok they need to build that ASAP! Just what that area needs right on light rail line in the middle of two stadiums. Would total do the Stay at the W and Dback/Suns game weekend all the time Love it! Already do those stay cations half the summer weekends That spot would be my top choice!

[soleri]

I notice from that same site a new rendering for the seemingly moribund Ro2 project on 4th Avenue north of Osborn. It appears much smaller but more stylish.

[PHX31]

The Lofts on Thomas officially opened yesterday. It's the 5-story building that was under re-construction since last millennium basically at about 5th Ave and Thomas.

I went through a tour and was pleasantly surprised by the finishes. It's supposed to be a "luxury" apartment building, and it really does look nice inside. Of course, I had low expectations due to the history of the building, and some of it was still slightly unfinished and other parts seemed relatively poor quality (coil electric ranges rather than flat top or gas, for example), but overall it was better than I was imagining it would be.

I believe she said there were 54 units for lease, ranging in price from $1,000 (studio) to $2,500 (5th floor furnished 2-bedroom). I saw both, and the view of downtown really was pretty stunning from the 5th floor. The weird thing is the floorplans are fully open, so even in the 2-bedroom unit there are no doors into each bedroom, just kind of a doorway.

It had a nice brand new exercise room, yoga studio, lounge/cocktail areas and a nice small pool. You only get one parking space per unit, regardless of #of bedrooms, but you can lease an extra space if you need.

I'll be interested to see how fast they lease the units.

[phxSUNSfan]

The newer Ro2 design does look more attractive than before:


Does anyone know if Ro2 is a real possibility or just a portfolio project for DAVIS Architects?

The Lofts on Thomas do look better than I had imagined. They aren't as expensive as I had expected...aside for the studios as those seem a little too expensive IMO. Here is the website:
http://www.loftsonthomas.com/

[Jjs5056]

Ugh, that Ro2 project would go great along Roosevelt, McKinely, next to the YMCA, along 2nd Ave... Can you tell I want it downtown and not midtown?

[combusean]

RO2 was definitely slated for Roosevelt St. You can see the Knipe (I think) house in the background of the rendering. Davis owns the lot for it but has not moved on it. Somebody should call them.

The project for Osborn and 4th Ave was called O4.