Tempe Development Thread

[ciweiss]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Can't recall that this was posted before... tower crane is up for Aura. Tempe is crane city!

This one is building quick. I saw this morning they already have some walls up at ground level.

[Renz]

I'm sorry if this has been stated before, but what is the official height of the Aura at watermark? Some articles are saying it's 225ft while this other article states 275ft or around that height.

[exit2lef]

I took the kids to Zoo Lights last night and decided to head into Downtown Tempe for dinner afterward. Two observations:

1) Driving across the Mill Avenue bridge, it was impressive to see the sheer bulk of Tempe's skyline illuminiated in front of us. It was a different view than I see when I enter Tempe during the day via light rail, and it's a striking gateway image that wouldn't have existed as little as a decade ago.

2) Looking out the window of Shady Park while enjoying bowls of ramen, it was impressive to see three cranes for the Opus mixed use project a block to the east -- especially since this land languished as surface parking after the Arches was torn down. I forget: Does this project have a snappy name yet?

[PHXFlyer11]

Apologize if this was mentioned, but the crane is up for The Pier... the issue is that it's about 30 feet tall, but completely assembled. Anyone know what the hell they are doing? so weird.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by Renz

I'm sorry if this has been stated before, but what is the official height of the Aura at watermark? Some articles are saying it's 225ft while this other article states 275ft or around that height.

Both are true. The current office building under construction is 225'. A future phase office building is planned for roughly 275'.

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Looking out the window of Shady Park while enjoying bowls of ramen, it was impressive to see three cranes for the Opus mixed use project a block to the east -- especially since this land languished as surface parking after the Arches was torn down. I forget: Does this project have a snappy name yet?

The name is 'Tempe Union.' They have a website now here.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

The name is 'Tempe Union.' They have a website now here.

Thanks. Glad to see it adding to the skyline.

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by Renz

I'm sorry if this has been stated before, but what is the official height of the Aura at watermark? Some articles are saying it's 225ft while this other article states 275ft or around that height.

I'd say closer to 225 feet. Take a look at p. 6 of their booklet:

http://www.watermarktempe.com/pdf/water_mark_marking_book.pdf

one floor that's 20', eight floors that are 13'6", and then seven floors of parking (height not labeled but I'm estimating around 12' per floor). This adds up to 212'. Add on a few feet for mechanical equipment on the roof and structural elements between the floors and we're looking at about 225'.

[ciweiss]

Carvana is higher than the freeway now. But just some skinny beams at this point

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by ciweiss

Carvana is higher than the freeway now. But just some skinny beams at this point

I was looking at that last night. I think it's topped out. I have no idea how those skinny beams are going to hold cars.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Thanks. Glad to see it adding to the skyline.

Check out the construction cam from the site. GREAT View of Tempe!

https://app.oxblue.com/open/EDR/tempe

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by nickw252

I'd say closer to 225 feet. Take a look at p. 6 of their booklet:

http://www.watermarktempe.com/pdf/water_mark_marking_book.pdf

one floor that's 20', eight floors that are 13'6", and then seven floors of parking (height not labeled but I'm estimating around 12' per floor). This adds up to 212'. Add on a few feet for mechanical equipment on the roof and structural elements between the floors and we're looking at about 225'.

I thought I remember it was approved at 255'. I can't find the FAA application in the archives though. But I did find the tower crane and it was approved for 295'. So 255' would sound about right if the crane is indeed 295'.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Check out the construction cam from the site. GREAT View of Tempe!

https://app.oxblue.com/open/EDR/tempe

Hopefully before that camera is taken down we'll be seeing action on the Mirabella and Westin sites. And within the scope of that view we have the proposals for an Omni hotel next to Mirabella, the residential next to Westin, and the Hawaiin BBQ residential.

[muertecaza]

Miscellaneous notes for Tempe:

• The proposal at College/6th St. where the Hawaiin BBQ is is going before the DRC later this month. Interested to see the specifics.
• A lot of proposals going before DRC on the 9th of this month. The Apache/Oak proposal along the light rail is in a scaled down form. I believe the original proposal was about 50 units on .9 acres. This one is 22 units. It apparently is within the existing zoning, and has support of the neighboring single family homes that opposed the previous iteration.
• Park Place (Apache/Terrace next to Nexa) is also going before the DRC. I hope the proposal is approved as is. It has reduced parking (~.5 spots per bedroom), good commercial space along Apache and Terrace, signals the demise of another mobile home park on Apache, and is along the streetcar route (not much developable space left there). I will miss D'Lite though--would be nice if they wanted to continue in one of the commercial spaces when completed.
• The Broadstone proposed on Rio Salado east of the 101 (where the ASU Surplus Property lot is) is going to the DRC. It's pretty blah, but short of a future street car extension, I'm not too concerned about that area.
• More townhomes on Farmer north of University, these by Desert Viking. I was under the impression that the yellow ones on 7th St. hadn't sold that well. But more power to them.

DRC packets available here: http://www.tempe.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=59663

[PhxSprawler]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Check out the construction cam from the site. GREAT View of Tempe!

https://app.oxblue.com/open/EDR/tempe

This is a great view. Looks like the Penthouse in W6 is available.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Miscellaneous notes for Tempe:

• The proposal at College/6th St. where the Hawaiin BBQ is is going before the DRC later this month. Interested to see the specifics.
• A lot of proposals going before DRC on the 9th of this month. The Apache/Oak proposal along the light rail is in a scaled down form. I believe the original proposal was about 50 units on .9 acres. This one is 22 units. It apparently is within the existing zoning, and has support of the neighboring single family homes that opposed the previous iteration.
• Park Place (Apache/Terrace next to Nexa) is also going before the DRC. I hope the proposal is approved as is. It has reduced parking (~.5 spots per bedroom), good commercial space along Apache and Terrace, signals the demise of another mobile home park on Apache, and is along the streetcar route (not much developable space left there). I will miss D'Lite though--would be nice if they wanted to continue in one of the commercial spaces when completed.
• The Broadstone proposed on Rio Salado east of the 101 (where the ASU Surplus Property lot is) is going to the DRC. It's pretty blah, but short of a future street car extension, I'm not too concerned about that area.
• More townhomes on Farmer north of University, these by Desert Viking. I was under the impression that the yellow ones on 7th St. hadn't sold that well. But more power to them.

DRC packets available here: http://www.tempe.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=59663

Can’t wait to see the renderings for The Hayden. They have the tower pegged for mostly hotel rooms, then condos and commercial. Basically, think Cityscape Palomar / residences building.

Would love to see a 20 story office tower come to downtown Tempe. I know the office space is mainly on the lake, but that would bring tremendous diversity.

When the hell is anything ever gonna happen with the Athletic District? Maybe they are waiting to officially get the no from AMZN.

[muertecaza]

Looks like Mirabella ready to start January 22--two weeks away.

[stutteringpunk]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Looks like Mirabella ready to start January 22--two weeks away.

Man, traffic is already bad near university as it is. Unpopular opinion, but throwing olds into the mix might make it even worse.

[Renz]

Originally Posted by stutteringpunk

Man, traffic is already bad near university as it is. Unpopular opinion, but throwing olds into the mix might make it even worse.

After speaking to several of my buds about this, they shared the same opinion as you and now I'm starting to think it isn't so great either.

There's an ecosystem in this city, and throwing olds in the middle of a downtown with their Prius into busy intersections might be a traffic nightmare for everyone else. It also works both ways. A loud town square isn't my idea of a retirement home.

[Classical in Phoenix]

Part of the monthly fee you pay is for a driver to take you where you want to go. Plus, you only get space for one car and you cannot park it yourself.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by Renz

After speaking to several of my buds about this, they shared the same opinion as you and now I'm starting to think it isn't so great either.

There's an ecosystem in this city, and throwing olds in the middle of a downtown with their Prius into busy intersections might be a traffic nightmare for everyone else. It also works both ways. A loud town square isn't my idea of a retirement home.

I don't necessarily see the retirement age residents contributing to traffic congestion more or less than college or working age residents. If anything, I would think they'd be one of the more likely groups to walk for a large percentage of trips.

If traffic does noticeably worsen though, it will be interesting to see if there is an increase in interest in the idea that has been batted around the city council to close University to cars from Rural to Mill.