Central Park East Hotel & Residential

[Edifice]

There is a new camera that is much higher and with a better angle for Akara.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by Edifice

There is a new camera that is much higher and with a better angle for Akara.

Thanks!

[CrestedSaguaro]

The penthouse/elevator shaft has topped out on Kenect. So I just wanted to pass-on Kenect's total height since I know when it first started, we didn't have an exact figure. I now have the design blueprints and can confirm Kenect's height is 246' to the top of the penthouse.

[rmcxion]

What an impact Kenect has on the skyline. Imagine what Hannys and Central Station would look like here.

[combusean]

Kenect will be a big gap filler from at least 17 south to 10 east.

[azliam]

It looks like Kenect updated their website and perhaps added some new renderings to it (I don't remember seeing all of them before):
https://www.kenectphoenix.com/

[dtphxguy]

Glass going up and looking good!

[TJPHXskyscraperfan]

Originally Posted by dtphxguy

Glass going up and looking good!

How will these windows open? I like those windows that open downward but I don’t see where these windows would open from?

[biggus diggus]

I was speculating they won't open and the solid pieces between the windows seem to have mounts built it. Perhaps shade sails?

[mutayo]

I know this has been talked about before but it doesn't look like Kenect is going to have any balconies? Seems very, very odd.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by mutayo

I know this has been talked about before but it doesn't look like Kenect is going to have any balconies? Seems very, very odd.

It was never planned with balconies.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by mutayo

I know this has been talked about before but it doesn't look like Kenect is going to have any balconies? Seems very, very odd.

Correct. No balconies anywhere. Not even on the inside over the pool deck area. I hope these are going to be lower rate units?

[dtphxguy]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Correct. No balconies anywhere. Not even on the inside over the pool deck area. I hope these are going to be lower rate units?

It’s funny you say that, cause their website actually says “affordable apartments” for rent. Not that I believe these will actually be what most would consider affordable, but it is a refreshing break from the “luxury apartment” marketing every one of these 4-story complexes are using.

[exit2lef]

The proximity to the Downtown Civic Space Park, a place that really needs a better name, might help offset the lack of balconies in renting the apartments. The need for a little outdoor space of one's own is not as great when there's a park across the street. Of course, there's the question of how comfortable Kenect tenants will feel among the homeless and Westward Ho population that often occupies the park, but maybe the presence of more residents of new apartments in the area will dilute that factor.

[biggus diggus]

There are a couple of giveaways that these are not billed as high end apartments. They specifically mention "parking included" which is something that you must do when chasing lower budget tenants. And the mention of "fully equipped kitchen" is something you don't mention in luxury because your renters know that. The lower budget stuff often won't include things like microwaves, washers, dryers or refrigerators. Mentioning fully equipped kitchen with that wording is a way of saying your dollar stretches farther here.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

They specifically mention "parking included" which is something that you must do when chasing lower budget tenants.

That's really disappointing considering Kenect is literally across the street from the city's biggest rail and bus hub. Charging a separate fee for tenants who want on-site parking would be one way to keep rents lower for those who don't need a spot.

[somethingfast]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

That's really disappointing considering Kenect is literally across the street from the city's biggest rail and bus hub. Charging a separate fee for tenants who want on-site parking would be one way to keep rents lower for those who don't need a spot.

I think it's absolutely great that they are building more value-oriented residential spaces! Why the frustration? We have a MAJOR affordability issue in every major growing metro. Kudos even if balconies are not included.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by somethingfast

I think it's absolutely great that they are building more value-oriented residential spaces! Why the frustration? We have a MAJOR affordability issue in every major growing metro. Kudos even if balconies are not included.

My frustration has nothing to do with the lack of balconies and everything to do with including parking in the base rent and marketing that decision as a feature of the building when it's actually a bug. Saying that parking is included may sound great to tenants who have a car, but with a location right across the street from Central Station, not every tenant will need one. Nevertheless, every resident is going to pay for the expensive and ugly parking podium under the residential floors. A better approach would have been to build less parking and unbundle it from rent. Those who have a car they wish to park on site would pay an extra monthly fee for a spot, and those who don't need one would pay less in rent because they're paying just for their own living space and not for the extra room needed to store a vehicle.

[biggus diggus]

The truth is Phoenix isn't yet a big enough city for that. First a few buildings need to be built with no parking whatsoever and then when it has become a premium they'll start charging at places like Kenect.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

The truth is Phoenix isn't yet a big enough city for that. First a few buildings need to be built with no parking whatsoever and then when it has become a premium they'll start charging at places like Kenect.

People have been saying that for decades, and when they continue to do that, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's time to stop repeating the same old tired cliches and think differently. In actuality, it's never been easier for someone to go without a car in Phoenix -- not everywhere, but certainly across the street from Central Station when the combined effect of light rail, bus, rideshare, bike lanes, and scooters is considered. Not having a car won't work for 100% of tenants -- probably not even for 50%, but it will for some, and those tenants shouldn't pay for parking they don't use -- especially in a building that is focused on affordability.