Phoenix Development News (3)

[Phxguy]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

To make matters even more interesting, Songbird is now vague-booking about moving to another location in March 2015.

We can only hope another coffee shop or something will move in with the intention of building a patio.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

We can only hope another coffee shop or something will move in with the intention of building a patio.

Exactly. If we're going to have double wide sidewalks, let's but them to good use.

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

We can only hope another coffee shop or something will move in with the intention of building a patio.

With the vacancies at Canvas 101 and Roosevelt Pointe, I think it's safe to say there isn't much demand for any retail, but particularly restaurants, along Roosevelt, and this won't be helped by removing precious convenient parallel parking spaces.

With Lux moving onto 1st, maybe it's best Songbird isn't in the mix; coffee houses and incubators - Phoenix's only strong markets.

I wish more ethnic restaurants would open along the street. The cheap, older buildings seem perfect for restaurant+market concepts; Ethiopian and Vietnamese are very popular right now and would add a nice cultural layer to the district, as well as fill vacancies with public-accessible dining and shopping.

I wonder if anyone bought the Scientology building on 3rd St? I really wish someone either demolished it for a boutique hotel or made some serious tenant improvements (turn the parking lot into a mixed use garage fronting Roosevelt and reorient the entrance lobby onto 3rd). Such a random suburban relic on a street where there are very few auto-oriented structures.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

With the vacancies at Canvas 101 and Roosevelt Pointe, I think it's safe to say there isn't much demand for any retail, but particularly restaurants, along Roosevelt, and this won't be helped by removing precious convenient parallel parking spaces.

With Lux moving onto 1st, maybe it's best Songbird isn't in the mix; coffee houses and incubators - Phoenix's only strong markets.

I wish more ethnic restaurants would open along the street. The cheap, older buildings seem perfect for restaurant+market concepts; Ethiopian and Vietnamese are very popular right now and would add a nice cultural layer to the district, as well as fill vacancies with public-accessible dining and shopping.

A Mexican place is moving into the space recently vacated by the Local: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bel...ow_opening.php

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

A Mexican place is moving into the space recently vacated by the Local: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bel...ow_opening.php

Ugh, The Local closed? That project (Canvas) has been cursed, which is so unfortunate. There's just so little walkable development or apartments surrounding it.

Glad at least something is taking its place, though.

[Arquitect]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Ugh, The Local closed? That project (Canvas) has been cursed, which is so unfortunate. There's just so little walkable development or apartments surrounding it.

Glad at least something is taking its place, though.

The largest apartment complex (by number of units) in downtown is right across the street from it. I don't think walkability is the issue.

[nickw252]

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by Arquitect

The largest apartment complex (by number of units) in downtown is right across the street from it. I don't think walkability is the issue.

That's one apartment compared to vacant lots on every other side, and a very auto-focused, busy (fast) part of 3rd street. The denser parts of Roosevelt are centered on the south side where Roosevelt Pointe is, and further west by Carly's/Roosevelt Square/etc.

That apartment complex is also filled with a good number of ASU students who are still forced into buying a meal plan and thus, spend their food money at places that accept Sun Dollars/M&G. The other places in Roosevelt are also closer and much more visible (i.e.; no parking lot separating them from the street).

I know it's not the only issue. The size of the individual stores seems to be an issue, as well, as that was cited as a reason for The Local closing. Sounds like they're just too big for business models to work out - I wonder if they could or could have been divided to make room for one more space and have an easier time?

[Phxguy]

Well...fingers crossed this time around.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/money...lton/18305067/

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Well...fingers crossed this time around.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/money...lton/18305067/

Pretty lame that there isn't going to be any retail along Monroe; all that is planned is an auto drop-off. Between the building itself and the lodge next door, there's amble space for at least 1 signature restaurant, if not 2+.

Really wish this had made it through the recession as planned, because the plans side-by-side are just night and day. I guess it's nice that another historic gem won't sit uninhabited, but an HGI vs. a boutique hotel with so many planned public spaces is a pretty big downgrade.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Ugh, The Local closed? That project (Canvas) has been cursed, which is so unfortunate. There's just so little walkable development or apartments surrounding it.

Glad at least something is taking its place, though.

Jeez, it closed a week ago and now it's already slated to open a something else, possibly something cool with three local chefs. Chill....

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by dtnphx

Jeez, it closed a week ago and now it's already slated to open a something else, possibly something cool with three local chefs. Chill....

I'm quite chill - note: "I'm glad it's being replaced." I'm just sad that such a cool project like Canvas 101 has had such a hard time filling up, whatever the reasons. 3 restaurants have gone under and it hasn't been more than 50% leased in 2+ years.

[turpentyne]

Regarding the widening of Roosevelt and adding patios, I do know that Carly's will definitely be adding a patio, now that there will be enough room.

If they do, you know others will follow suit.

[PHX31]

Has anyone heard anything about work being done at MetroCenter Mall? I heard from someone that it is being demolished, and a Super Walmart is going in its place. Is this true? Or is it like Christown Mall where it might be renovated into having big box retailers (Super Target, Costco, Walmart)?

Anyone know anything?

[ASU Diablo]

PHX31 - I don't have access to the full article but you get the gist of what's happening w/the rendering...

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/p...-open-air.html

[PHX31]

Got it, thanks!

Maybe someone can post the article that has access.

[HX_Guy]

Here you go...

EXCLUSIVE: Metrocenter to go open-air as it’s transformed into a mixed-use urban center

Turning the aging mall into a vibrant mixed-use urban center, the concept for developing Metrocenter adds residential, the northwestern terminus of the Metro light rail line and an open-air shopping district. The Carlyle Development Group’s concept for reinvigorating the mall would keep it within reach of its market.
When Carlyle Development Group acquired Metrocenter in 2012, the company's first move was to apply lipstick to the aging and half-empty mall. Simply sprucing up one of the Valley's elder shopping centers was not the endgame for the New York-based development company. That goal is close to being unveiled.

One major renovation — a reinvigoration of the entire property — may involve removing portions of the enclosed mall and replacing it with an open district similar to San Tan Village and Kierland Commons. The plan is to create a setting that will embrace the local market.

Metrocenter is succeeding in serving the changing demographics of its region, and the result is a 73 percent occupancy

rate. The stores are a mix of national retailers and locally owned businesses. In addition, Carlyle made space available to community service groups to provide services to shoppers. Today, the mall is a mix of food courts and Macy's, the Maricopa County Humane Society and Dillard's.

Now the vacant J.C. Penney store is about to come down, and this fall a Walmart Superstore will go up. The addition of the Valley's largest retailer will be the first step in transforming the mall.

"This is our current concept, but it's the direction we're heading," said Warren Fink, COO of Carlyle. "We're seeing our planned-unit development approval this fall coinciding with the Walmart construction."

Carlyle's efforts may be the first thrust into the future of enclosed shopping malls. Just as Scottsdale Fashion Square is expanding its shopping footage and adding a major Harkins theater upgrade as a new anchor, Metrocenter sees its future as a mixed-use urban center for its area.

"We want to bring the new outdoor shopping and living experience to a scale that serves our customers," said Fink. "The redevelopment district helps us find ways to do that. We're working with the city on refining the concept."

Phoenix recently approved a redevelopment area for Metrocenter and its surrounding commercial and residential areas. Carlyle and other owners are jumping on the opportunity, Fink said.

The current concept shows the addition of midrise offices, multifamily residential and medical office buildings. Fink said owners of adjoining Class B and C office properties are planning upgrades to make them more attractive for leasing.

The real plum for Metrocenter is the second phase of the Metro light rail extension, which will end at a new transit center adjoining the mall. The northwest extension from 19th and Dunlap avenues to 25th Avenue and Mountain View Road is under study.

Although the extension is scheduled for completion in 2026, Mayor Greg Stanton said he hopes Phoenix's citizen transportation committee will find funding to move the project up to the immediate future.

[Jjs5056]

Looks like Alliance is developing a suburban apartment complex - already approved by the Design Committee - on the north side of McDowell between Alvarado and the car wash on 3rd St. 4 stories, single use, with a parking lot fronting the street for the sales office.

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[Phxguy]

Good to know that Metrocenter is planning ahead for the Northwestern Terminus of the light rail. Yeah, it's suburban at best, but it's addressing the issue of the massive, desolate parking lots and putting them to use so light rail riders won't have to walk across those moonscapes in the future. It's a very Tokyo-esque solution to this problem and I like it. Every terminus here in Tokyo has a sort of retail/ residential/ office hub luring people across the Kanto Region.

Now if Park Center could open their eyes, it would be a game changer for Midtown.

Also, on the Monroe Hilton bit, I hope this means the Lodge will stay and something in the future could utilize the space. I personally was tickled by the idea someone had on here of it turning into a hostel. I always thought a saloon bar or piano lounge or something to bridge the era it comes from would do great on the ground floor. A rooftop garden cafe is another idea.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Looks like Alliance is developing a suburban apartment complex - already approved by the Design Committee - on the north side of McDowell between Alvarado and the car wash on 3rd St. 4 stories, single use, with a parking lot fronting the street for the sales office.

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Can you confirm the location of this? The location you described doesn't make sense. Alvarado and the car wash are both west of 3rd Street, so it couldn't be on 3rd St like you said. Will they be demolishing something regardless?