Tempe Development Thread

[alexico]

Originally Posted by ciweiss

I just got a letter in the mail talking about a proposal for 230 W. 5th st. as the site. It 'imagines' a single rise tower with a 26 floor building (255 units) on top of 4 floor parking podium. Minimum 100' max 300'. It also mentions ground floor retail. Meeting will be at the Courtyard Marriott July 7th 5:30 - 7pm.

Development review Commission hearings July 22nd
City Counsel hearings 'Intro' Aug 14
2nd Sept 4th

Letter said they represented 'JAH Ventures, LLLP

very cool! that area across the street too. shocked nothing hasnt popped up across from the boston's bar/grille. at one time i believe there was going to be something there but never panned out.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by alexico

very cool! that area across the street too. shocked nothing hasnt popped up across from the boston's bar/grille. at one time i believe there was going to be something there but never panned out.

Not sure what you are referring to when you say across the street... This is on 5th and Ash. I believe this is the surface parking lot across from Hanover.

The lot across the street from Boston's (now closed, again), is Farmer & University. Which is across the tracks from the proposed tower on University and Ash that is supposed to have a grocery store.

Not aware of any plans for that lot, but it will quickly become one of the remaining premier lots if these other two towers take off. Would be good to see something 8-12 stories on that particular lot.

[Jjs5056]

PHYFlyer - In terms of ROI regarding the Marriott, wouldn't they be able to charge higher rates to rooms with a view of the lake? I guess I was thinking of it in terms of residential values, but do views not impact a hotel's bottom line?

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Not sure what you are referring to when you say across the street... This is on 5th and Ash. I believe this is the surface parking lot across from Hanover.

The lot across the street from Boston's (now closed, again), is Farmer & University. Which is across the tracks from the proposed tower on University and Ash that is supposed to have a grocery store.

Not aware of any plans for that lot, but it will quickly become one of the remaining premier lots if these other two towers take off. Would be good to see something 8-12 stories on that particular lot.

He's likely referring to Ash/University. Farmer/University is part of the Farmer Arts District; the original plan had midrise condos, affordable housing, a public library branch and retail. So far, they've developed a senior housing project and are working with Sam Fox to rehab the warehouse on 1st/Farmer, so who knows what might end up on the corner? A 21-story apartment and Whole Foods on Ash, and an 8/10-story mixed income apartment project in tandem with a branch library on Farmer would be my ideal.

I wouldn't hold your breathe on the 5th street tower. This guy is pretty sleazy, and was hyping his Sky Tower during the recession for the Hayden Ferry Condos parking lot when he hadn't even gotten possession of the entire assemblage needed.

Shame about USA Place. That lot is cursed. I thought that USA Basketball's involvement would make it a sure thing, but I guess not. These gigantic plans never work out, or turn up 1/4 of what was promised anyway. The important pieces were the Omni and conference center, and USA Basketball HQ and facilities, leaving room to eventually wrap some of the buildings with retail/lofts or add on separate streets. The fact that Tempe has lost 3-4 proposed conference centers since 2006 is confusing, as is not being able to find funding for building the HQ of USA Basketball.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

PHYFlyer - In terms of ROI regarding the Marriott, wouldn't they be able to charge higher rates to rooms with a view of the lake? I guess I was thinking of it in terms of residential values, but do views not impact a hotel's bottom line?

Not really. People visiting the valley likely have better looking bodies of water and views at home, doubtful they would pay more to see a man made lake. Mainly though, these will be business travelers, who's companies pay for their rooms, in which case the company wants the best rate, they don't care if you have a view or not.

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

A 21-story apartment and Whole Foods on Ash, and an 8/10-story mixed income apartment project in tandem with a branch library on Farmer would be my ideal.

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Shame about USA Place. That lot is cursed. I thought that USA Basketball's involvement would make it a sure thing, but I guess not. These gigantic plans never work out, or turn up 1/4 of what was promised anyway. The important pieces were the Omni and conference center, and USA Basketball HQ and facilities, leaving room to eventually wrap some of the buildings with retail/lofts or add on separate streets. The fact that Tempe has lost 3-4 proposed conference centers since 2006 is confusing, as is not being able to find funding for building the HQ of USA Basketball.

You raise an interesting point. Now that I think of it, that lot is MASSIVE! The majority of the plans were 3-4 story apartments taking up much of the lot, with a kind of fake street with restaurants. Personally, I could do without that part. I'd like to see them get the funding for the Omni, conference center and USA basketball, then leave the rest of the lot for future higher-density development. I could see other towers popping up there in time. No need to develop the whole lot, although I assume that was part of the deal with ASU.

[KevininPhx]

[QUOTE=PHXFlyer11;6626000]Not really. People visiting the valley likely have better looking bodies of water and views at home, doubtful they would pay more to see a man made lake. Mainly though, these will be business travelers, who's companies pay for their rooms, in which case the company wants the best rate, they don't care if you have a view or not.



You're logic is: I'm traveling so I don't care about the view. Wrong. It's the first first thing people ask after "how much?" They want a view and TTL is a very good one. The reason the hotel isn't taller is that hotels are built to their full-capicity average, not their very best day. You can't build so many rooms that would sit empty most of the year. I don't know, I like the look and size of that hotel. It has a London-y feel for what that's worth.

[Jjs5056]

[QUOTE=KevininPhx;6626630]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Not really. People visiting the valley likely have better looking bodies of water and views at home, doubtful they would pay more to see a man made lake. Mainly though, these will be business travelers, who's companies pay for their rooms, in which case the company wants the best rate, they don't care if you have a view or not.



You're logic is: I'm traveling so I don't care about the view. Wrong. It's the first first thing people ask after "how much?" They want a view and TTL is a very good one. The reason the hotel isn't taller is that hotels are built to their full-capicity average, not their very best day. You can't build so many rooms that would sit empty most of the year. I don't know, I like the look and size of that hotel. It has a London-y feel for what that's worth.

Thanks. It just seems strange as I'm sure they paid a premium for it being 'lakeside' and this is one of the few instances where going taller wouldn't impact other buildings' views as the intent was always for the hotel to be taller.

I like the design, as well, and the coloring of HFL in that rendering in general for what it's worth. It's a shame the developers throughout the years waited until this final, tiny parcel to give ANY respect to Rio Salado. Maybe the Mill is next up and they'll get a nice view of a restored landmark/boutique condos?

[Butta]

I drive every morning to work on the 202 from North East Mesa to the airport area. First thing you will notice from this vantage point is, the tower crane behind Sun Devil Stadium, I think this is for University House/Hub II. Next thing is the boom crane currently being used at SDS. Then you have 3 tower cranes at State Farm/Marina Heights. If you keep going west and look a little deeper once passing the butte and Mill, you'll see another boom crane in what I believe is Hanover. Last you see is the tower crane for Argo. By my count that's 7 cranes on major projects easily visible from the freeway. It screams, "Look at me!!! Things are happening in Tempe!!!".

Today though, I decided to take 8th St/Rio Salado all the way to work. All I got to say is WOW. Again, heading west, first thing I noticed, there's a lot about 3 lots down NE of Rural that there's heavy machinery and some dirt being moved around, this may all be related to Marina Heights, but interesting to see because it's a little ways from that site.

Right on the NE corner of Rural and Rio Salado, looks that empty lot is being used for parking of workers at Marina Heights. Keep heading west and the most striking thing happens...we talked about how close to Rio was the first building to go up at Marina Heights, and yes it's close, but the second building is shockingly close, it's more of an effect because that's where I think the road start curbing, but none the less it looks so cool, like you're driving through a canyon, you feel like are driving into the building. Now bear in mind I was on the left lane, as Rio has one lane closed due to the construction, so once that lane opens, the effect will be even more extreme. From what I could observe, I didn't see the makings of a 4th crane yet.

Next item, HFL 3, there's some heavy excavating going on, and needless to say, this project has gone full bore. It appears to me like there's about two stories high of excavation so far.

Not much else is evident from Rio until you get to Argo, man oh man is this building looking nice, I think the finished product will satisfy many here. It's 6 stories high, but feels much taller, an effect being caused by the sails. Very nice indeed.

Keep heading west and you'll notice the heavy equipment next to the TCA which is related to the new lake dam.

Once you pass Priest, and I didn't realize this, there's a whole new office building up, it looks nice, it's only two stories but it's quite nice. There appears to be some more movement around the site so I think other buildings may be part of this project.

I will try to take pictures of everything next week, but I'm so impressed.

[Jjs5056]

Thanks for the update; hard to get a feel as I'm on the east coast.

I've always been impressed by Argo - from site plan to the initial construction I was able to catch before leaving. Not to encourage anything wreckless, but if possible, I'd love to see where it's at. It's too bad there's nothing on the north bank to complement the coffee bar, bike shop/repair shop, and food truck plaza that still need to get added!

The lot further east on Rio Salado could be SouthBank starting on their 17-story senior living project? I'll eat my hat if so; to see that break ground after the days of Pier202 would be crazy.

And, there's even a few more projects that might be pre- or post-crane usage:
1) College Ave Commons - building should be complete; streetscape being worked on, along with the Art Annex conversion (Postino + additional restaurant); possible retail tenants for west side plaza could come into play at some point.
2) The Grand - @Lemon/Terrace; they broke ground about a month ago - neat looking apartments just off Apache.
3) 10-story office building at Playa del Norte
4) Residences at University Center - adjacent to Chompies; I believe someone mentioned a ground-breaking weeks ago... premature?
5) The Yard/Culinary Dropout/Madison/(Lux?) warehouse construction on 1st/Farmer

And, the mix of cold, early, never gonna happen proposals:
1) Lofts at Hayden Ferry (between HFL and MH)
2) Ash/University
3) USA Place
4) The Palms Hotel conversion
5) Small Marina project on the NW corner of 202/Rural
6) Residences on Farmer (4-story mixed use senior housing north of Encore)
7) Marriott at HFL

And, just a run-down of the ever-growing and impossible to keep up with world of Downtown Tempe retail:
1) NYD Pizza: opening in the Gateway Building (next to Loco?)
2) AMC at Centerpoint: open/opening by July
3) Hot N Juicy Crawfish and Sweet Shoppe & Nut House at 740 Mill
4) 414 Pizza is open where I think the BBQ place was the most recent tenant by FATBURGER
5) Starbucks closed? Spinelli's Pizzeria, supposedly huge in KT, will be opening there by August

[Spitfiredude]

The Grand (1010 Lemon?) is putting in a tower crane. About 80-100' tall.
NYPD pizza is in fact between Loco Patron and WichWhich.
AMC has been opened for about 2 months already. Been there once, and it is nice. But as always, I prefer Harkins. So I will still drive to Marketplace even though the AMC is right below me. It is usually fairly busy on weekends.
Hot N Juicy is open.
Starbucks is open and probably always will be on that corner. I think the new place is below the Gordon Biersch entrance.

As far as Hanover, they are about half way finished with the parking garage. I would expect this to open by August since the entrance is directly off 6th Street in front of W6 tower 2 entrance. They can probably make some money while finishing the apartments.

HFL has a giant hole in the middle that pretty much outlines the building. I will try to take pictures this week.

I like the designs of the glass on the State Farm building. They're up to the 4th floor, beginning on the fifth with that. (lakeside view).

As far as USA Place, I wonder if they will scale down the project and just build the half portion of Omni, USA basketball? Is that possible. That gets rid of the apartment component (half the lot) and would be ideal to me. Eventually, ASU would have the opportunity to give that portion to someone else or add new classrooms or dorms. I wasn't too fond of the apartment portion anyway. Especially when they claimed they wanted business professionals in those. That is literally on campus. That should be primarily students. Places like Hanover, HFL, W6, etc. should be littered with normal people.

[azsunsurfer]

The Chompies nearby development is on its 2nd floor and its elevator shafts are built out (4-5th floor?)

The Fountainhead Appartments are also full steam. Their elevator shafts are almost topped out (4 stories + roof?). I can't tell if they are already going vertical on the first full floor.

I know it's Mesa...but...the Sheraton Hotel appears to again have its elevator cores topped off. Groundwork being finished on the foundation of the rest of hte hotel.

I haven't talked to my friend about the Playa Del Norte Office Building...I know it was being redesigned not sure if they have secured a tenant yet.

I also drove by the Discovery Center off Elliot and the 101. The retail component is almost done. Unfortunately I noticed that the new renderings on the advertisement board shows that they downsized the office buildings by a few floors / That's a shame.

The Dury Inn (7 Stories) near the IKEA looks almost done. The crane came down.

The Hampton Inn on Scottsdale is topped off. Nice to have it built right up to Scottsdale Rd.

I think the Camden is almost done as well a little further south.

[CrestedSaguaro]

I just bought my car next door to the Hampton Inn on Scottsdale and noticed that as well....right up to the sidewalk it appears.

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

The Chompies nearby development is on its 2nd floor and its elevator shafts are built out (4-5th floor?)

The Fountainhead Appartments are also full steam. Their elevator shafts are almost topped out (4 stories + roof?). I can't tell if they are already going vertical on the first full floor.

I know it's Mesa...but...the Sheraton Hotel appears to again have its elevator cores topped off. Groundwork being finished on the foundation of the rest of hte hotel.

I haven't talked to my friend about the Playa Del Norte Office Building...I know it was being redesigned not sure if they have secured a tenant yet.

I also drove by the Discovery Center off Elliot and the 101. The retail component is almost done. Unfortunately I noticed that the new renderings on the advertisement board shows that they downsized the office buildings by a few floors / That's a shame.

The Dury Inn (7 Stories) near the IKEA looks almost done. The crane came down.

The Hampton Inn on Scottsdale is topped off. Nice to have it built right up to Scottsdale Rd.

I think the Camden is almost done as well a little further south.

[ASUSunDevil]

Originally Posted by Spitfiredude

As far as USA Place, I wonder if they will scale down the project and just build the half portion of Omni, USA basketball? Is that possible. That gets rid of the apartment component (half the lot) and would be ideal to me. Eventually, ASU would have the opportunity to give that portion to someone else or add new classrooms or dorms. I wasn't too fond of the apartment portion anyway. Especially when they claimed they wanted business professionals in those. That is literally on campus. That should be primarily students. Places like Hanover, HFL, W6, etc. should be littered with normal people.

Completely agree with this. Young professionals want to live near campus, not on it. Would still like to see the hotel/convention center/athletic facilities/retail (grocery store) happen.

Work has begun on The Palms conversion and they are finally landscaping the parasols next to Gammage.

At this rate, Tempe will finally see the dreaded Ash/University eyesore get a high rise.

[TempeSilverFox]

College Avenue Commons is going to be a fantastic addition to downtown Tempe! I am really excited about the rework of College Ave and the ability going forward to use it as an event space!
Check out this article!

http://azbex.com/completion-college-aven...nter-and-technology-demo-from-ground-up/

[azsunsurfer]

http://azbex.com/arizona-leaders-in-uproar-as-faa-moves-to-reduce-building-height-limits/

Couldn't this height still leverage an average height of a 20 story building? This could hamper some proposed high rises planned for near Mill?

[TempeSilverFox]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

http://azbex.com/arizona-leaders-in-uproar-as-faa-moves-to-reduce-building-height-limits/

Couldn't this height still leverage an average height of a 20 story building? This could hamper some proposed high rises planned for near Mill?

Ugh, of course this would come right as growth has resumed in Tempe
But a city of mid-rises isn't a bad outcome either. Density can still happen when buildings are at least 5 - 10 stories high.
But I know we are a skyscraper blog- and we all want to see buildings that are tall and add presence to the skyline.

lol Just think of how screwed San Diego will be hahaha!
When you fly in to Lindberg Field, you feel like you're landing amongst the skyscrapers there! But then again, if this One Engine Inoperative initiative is behind the new rules, they may be ok. I don't think they ever have planes take off towards downtown, only away from it towards Point Loma...

[Spitfiredude]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

http://azbex.com/arizona-leaders-in-uproar-as-faa-moves-to-reduce-building-height-limits/

Couldn't this height still leverage an average height of a 20 story building? This could hamper some proposed high rises planned for near Mill?

Wow, way to damper this thread (the FAA, not you). So idiotic. They need to get these proposals through ASAP. I wonder if they could make some exceptions for certain cities like Tempe. Then again, that wouldn't be fair. Damn, so stupid. I'm pissed.

[RichTempe]

Originally Posted by Spitfiredude

Wow, way to damper this thread (the FAA, not you). So idiotic. They need to get these proposals through ASAP. I wonder if they could make some exceptions for certain cities like Tempe. Then again, that wouldn't be fair. Damn, so stupid. I'm pissed.

Wouldn't 10,000 feet to the east of the runways at Sky Harbor be somewhere between Priest and Hardy? I'm just doing a rough estimate from Google maps, but it doesn't look like that new rule would impact downtown Tempe or anything along Ash currently proposed. It's a stupid change either way IMO.

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by TempeSilverFox

Ugh, of course this would come right as growth has resumed in Tempe
But a city of mid-rises isn't a bad outcome either. Density can still happen when buildings are at least 5 - 10 stories high.
But I know we are a skyscraper blog- and we all want to see buildings that are tall and add presence to the skyline.

lol Just think of how screwed San Diego will be hahaha!
When you fly in to Lindberg Field, you feel like you're landing amongst the skyscrapers there! But then again, if this One Engine Inoperative initiative is behind the new rules, they may be ok. I don't think they ever have planes take off towards downtown, only away from it towards Point Loma...

No, they do occasionally take off towards the east towards Bankers Hill and land from the west over Ocean Beach when we have Santa Ana's blowing. It is such a weird sight.

[dtnphx]

ASU law school prepares to break ground on downtown location

By CamayakArchive
June 24, 2014 at 6:24 pm


The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law will relocate to the Downtown campus in summer 2016, bringing students closer to professional law firms.

The new $129 million, 260,000-square-foot Arizona Center for Law and Society will house College of Law, as well as a public law library and the ASU Alumni Law Group, the world’s first nonprofit fully privately financed teaching law firm, said Douglas Sylvester, dean of the College of Law.

The center is intended to be more than a law school, with expectations of engaging the political, legal and business communities of the downtown area, Sylvester said.

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication relocated in 2008 from Tempe to a new 223,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art journalism education complex in downtown Phoenix, according to the Cronkite School’s website timeline.

“Cronkite’s success was a large part of showing that a move downtown, in the midst of a vibrant and engaged academic community, would be a great move for the College of Law,” Sylvester said in an email interview.

Ed Hermes, who graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2013, said the move would boost the school’s credibility.

“… Just having it in such proximity to where all the big law firms and employers are (located), will help when the school has legal education seminars,” he said. “It will be easier for lawyers to pop on over and attend seminars at ASU.”

Hermes now works for Quarles & Brady LLP in Phoenix, one of many firms in the Valley that employs ASU graduates.

“It’ll get the ASU alumni and other attorneys in the downtown area more engaged and will give the students a ‘one-up’ on other law grads from out of state who are looking to work in the Phoenix area,” he said.

Groundbreaking for the Arizona Center for Law and Society is scheduled for July 7, with plans of completion in summer 2016. The first semester of classes in the new building are set for fall 2016, according to the ACLS website.

The current enrollment in the College of Law is between 600-650 students, and Sylvester said that isn’t expected to change.

“There is no requirement that the number of JD students increase as part of our move,” he said. There is no expectation, in the near future, that we will increase the size of our classes.”

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law has been on the Tempe campus, since its founding in 1967, according to asufoundation.org.

The old law buildings will not be torn down but will be repurposed and continue to be academic buildings at ASU, Sylvester said.

The official address for the Arizona Center for Law and Society will be 111 Taylor St., Phoenix, Arizona, according to its website.

Reach the reporter at [email protected]

[MegaBass]

Originally Posted by TempeSilverFox

College Avenue Commons is going to be a fantastic addition to downtown Tempe! I am really excited about the rework of College Ave and the ability going forward to use it as an event space!
Check out this article!

http://azbex.com/completion-college-aven...nter-and-technology-demo-from-ground-up/

Photos from ASU Business-Finance


2nd floor looking east


monument fountain stairs lead up from east entrance


staircase features Arizona-sourced sandstone


Water bottle stations