Phoenix Development News (3)

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by TheSawg

I agree 100%. Even though the closest theater is the Arizona Center theater, I still always go to the Esplanade. I's worth the price for a full service bar, better food and better seating. The biggest problem I have with the Esplanade is it isn't on the light rail.

I am a huge movie nut...seeing movies virtually every weekend and then some. I went to the Esplanade once and would never go back. It's just my personal opinion, but I felt it was too expensive, too much parking hassle and the full service seating sounded cool at first, but I realized after getting my food (and others getting theirs) after the movie had started was more of a distraction to me. Lol

I think the Arizona Center theater may be overkill now, but remember, we have 6 large residential projects under construction right now that are within reasonable walking distance and I think the theater will start filling more when all is said and done. I say leave it as is for another year and then decide if it needs axed, cutbuck, etc. But AMC may feel differently.

[biggus diggus]

I saw a movie at the esplanade and felt it was the worst experience due to the lights by my elbows that I couldn't turn off, the smell of the food, and constant interruptions by servers and people getting up and passing money.

Tl;dr it felt like I was at a basketball game, not a movie.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

I am a huge movie nut...seeing movies virtually every weekend and then some. I went to the Esplanade once and would never go back. It's just my personal opinion, but I felt it was too expensive, too much parking hassle and the full service seating sounded cool at first, but I realized after getting my food (and others getting theirs) after the movie had started was more of a distraction to me. Lol

I think the Arizona Center theater may be overkill now, but remember, we have 6 large residential projects under construction right now that are within reasonable walking distance and I think the theater will start filling more when all is said and done. I say leave it as is for another year and then decide if it needs axed, cutbuck, etc. But AMC may feel differently.

Is the Esplanade any more of a parking hassle than Arizona Center? Both involve parking in garages, walking a short distance, and validating a ticket. The experience of arriving by car strikes me as about the same at both places. As pointed out above, though, the Arizona Center has the advantage of being easier to reach via public transit. It also has bike racks, something I've never been able to find at the Esplanade.

AMC recently took over the former Harkins / Madcap space in Centerpoint and has redone it nicely. It helps that the Centerpoint theater is two stories, making its footprint smaller than the AMC at Arizona Center. Maybe that's a potential template to follow: Demolish half the theater, reduce the number of screens, redesign the lobby to eliminate those unused ticket windows, and then build a second story if more space is needed.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Is the Esplanade any more of a parking hassle than Arizona Center? Both involve parking in garages, walking a short distance, and validating a ticket. The experience of arriving by car strikes me as about the same at both places. As pointed out above, though, the Arizona Center has the advantage of being easier to reach via public transit. It also has bike racks, something I've never been able to find at the Esplanade.

AMC recently took over the former Harkins / Madcap space in Centerpoint and has redone it nicely. It helps that the Centerpoint theater is two stories, making its footprint smaller than the AMC at Arizona Center. Maybe that's a potential template to follow: Demolish half the theater, reduce the number of screens, redesign the lobby to eliminate those unused ticket windows, and then build a second story if more space is needed.

I feel the the point of having the theaters at Arizona Center is to avoid driving since it's in downtown. Unfortunately, Phoenix has never had a strong downtown population. However, that is about to change making parking for movies at Arizona center less of an issue versus Esplanade. Also, Esplanade is in the heart of what is probably the heaviest traffic congestion in the core. Camelback is a nightmare to drive at any time of the day. I avoid it as much as possible, but unfortunately my primary office is on Camelback and 24th St. So, I have no choice but to deal with it. Lol

[dtnphx]

Good article on what's going on in the Roosevelt District as a whole, not just on Roosevelt Row.

In northwest downtown, new development builds momentum — with a few hiccups
Hidden behind the news of residential projects along Roosevelt Row and city government conflict-of-interest allegations is a push to develop in a seemingly overlooked sector of downtown.

http://downtowndevil.com/2015/11/06/7444...m_term=0_68a53eafb8-89f7eff576-355686605

[ASU Diablo]

Great to see the city moving fast w/ re-issuing the RFP again. And Trammell Crow Co. will be bidding once more so great news. I believe theirs was the best proposal so we'll see.

Phoenix issues new RFP for downtown land after nixing $9M sale
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/...ues-new-rfp-for-downtown-land-after.html

[Obadno]

Study: Arizona a top destination for businesses relocating from California

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/...na-a-top-destination-for-businesses.html


Good news for us!

[combusean]

Someone was wanting to know about the 2nd and 3rd Aves and McKinley RFP, and now we know more about it:

6 townhomes (2 bed, 2.5 bath), 94 apartments and retail space from the above downtown devil article.

I am happily proved wrong. This project is much larger and better than I had anticipated for the site.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by combusean

Someone was wanting to know about the 2nd and 3rd Aves and McKinley RFP, and now we know more about it:

6 townhomes (2 bed, 2.5 bath), 94 apartments and retail space from the above downtown devil article.

I am happily proved wrong. This project is much larger and better than I had anticipated for the site.

I just read that and that's awesome. Looks like the rumors I had heard proved out to be true

[combusean]

From the architect of Central Station's website...

http://www.berkelhamer.com/mixed-use-09.php

That couldn't possibly be what's going up on the NEC of 3rd and Roosevelt?

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by combusean

From the architect of Central Station's website...

http://www.berkelhamer.com/mixed-use-09.php

That couldn't possibly be what's going up on the NEC of 3rd and Roosevelt?

Come on, don't tease us. I refuse to believe.

[biggus diggus]

I would say no, if that's what they are building then why are they demolishing Paz tacos? The rendering doesn't sit right on the lot to go along with what we know so far about the site.

[combusean]

Didn't see this posted about Metrocenter's redo:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/...his-old-phoenix-mall-could-become-a.html

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by combusean

From the architect of Central Station's website...

http://www.berkelhamer.com/mixed-use-09.php

That couldn't possibly be what's going up on the NEC of 3rd and Roosevelt?

Well that seems major why haven't we heard anything about this?

It looks like the parcel adjacent to the Paz/taco 3rd/Roosevelt proposal.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Well that seems major why haven't we heard anything about this?

It looks like the parcel adjacent to the Paz/taco 3rd/Roosevelt proposal.

You are correct and that is the adjacent parcel, but this was purchased with the Paz parcel. This seems to be very old. Go to Google Earth and look at that corner. The building that appears under construction is actually Roosevelt Point. That means this is very out of date and not current with Google Earth images that now show a completed Roosevelt Point.

Also, we have seen PLENTY of renderings of the project on 3rd and Roosevelt. I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying we haven't. It's a 4-5 story apartments with a patio restaurants and some retail. I've seen the renderings posted at least 4 times.

[combusean]

^ We saw the renderings for Wood Partners project. Pretty sure we haven't for Alliance's version of it.

[biggus diggus]

You also wouldn't see Alliance doing a rendering with DOMUS down the side of the building, which is currently a Mark Taylor brand.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Not even close, look at the buildings. Essentially, that building would be where Roosevelt point is, the SWC, not the NEC.

Also, we have seen PLENTY of renderings of the project on 3rd and Roosevelt. I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying we haven't. It's a 4-5 story apartments with a patio restaurants and some retail. I've seen the renderings posted at least 4 times.

deleted for bad reading comprehension =)

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

You are correct and that is the adjacent parcel, but this was purchased with the Paz parcel. This seems to be very old. Go to Google Earth and look at that corner. The building that appears under construction is actually Roosevelt Point. That means this is very out of date and not current with Google Earth images that now show a completed Roosevelt Point.

Also, we have seen PLENTY of renderings of the project on 3rd and Roosevelt. I'm not sure why everyone keeps saying we haven't. It's a 4-5 story apartments with a patio restaurants and some retail. I've seen the renderings posted at least 4 times.

It think some people are just mad that Paz will be closed but wont they just move to a nearby location? I don't see a problem.

[biggus diggus]

If I didn't know better I would say some sort of food court is going here in the bottom floor of the bioscience parking garage. Several entrance, several electrical boxes, and several patios.