Phoenix | Sol Modern (formerly Realm) | 331 FT | 29 Floors

CrestedSaguaro · #1 Posted **Jun 16, 2022, 10:45 PM**

Going to start this thread since this appears to be moving ahead.
Just received a mass of documents which you can view on my Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...Mv?usp=sharing

Please post all development updates here:

Address: 601 N. Central Ave (NE corner of Central and Fillmore)
Height: 325' 10"
Floors: 29

PHX31 · #2 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 5:02 PM**

So it takes up the entire block? That's great, but also cue the mega-block semi-stumpy building and wish for taller buildings on smaller footprints music. The renderings look nice though.

How far along or how close to starting construction is it?

somethingfast · #3 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 5:48 PM**

what can you say? it's a BIG building with decent height. nothing to get worked up over. i'm with most on this - smaller footprint, more height. but, yeah, good addition... take it while you can get it since the current melt down in capital markets coupled with rising rates will stifle development...

CrestedSaguaro · #4 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 7:57 PM**

As long as this has decent materials on the façade, this is going to be a good looking tower IMO. The angled setbacks are really something that hasn't been done yet in Phoenix. Looking forward to this.

combusean · #5 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 8:07 PM**

I wonder if there's something in the building code or Phoenix's zoning that is going to guarantee these "stumpy" buildings for the foreseeable future. The garage in these podium developments is almost always 8 stories give or take and I wonder if that has some bearing on the rest of the development.

somethingfast · #6 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 8:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

I wonder if there's something in the building code or Phoenix's zoning that is going to guarantee these "stumpy" buildings for the foreseeable future. The garage in these podium developments is almost always 8 stories give or take and I wonder if that has some bearing on the rest of the development.

to your point, i really, really feel that NOBODY on the city council cares one iota about aesthetic or height. they are just happy to get something. not a great mindset for us...but yeah better than nothing

PyroD · #7 Posted **Jun 17, 2022, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrestedSaguaro

As long as this has decent materials on the façade, this is going to be a good looking tower IMO. The angled setbacks are really something that hasn't been done yet in Phoenix. Looking forward to this.

I'm really enjoying the alley cut through as well. At least they found a way not to sacrifice walkability in this area and in fact it might be arguably MORE walkable than a surface parking lot.

az_daniel · #8 Posted **Jun 20, 2022, 5:55 PM**

My biggest question is - why put the giant parking podium on central opposite from the Westward Ho? Seems weird to me to not have central as your priority facade. Maintaining that alley is a huge deal though, curious what the pass-through experience will be like and whether or not it will be lined with public spaces and retail.

combusean · #9 Posted **Jun 21, 2022, 7:01 AM**

These buildings like anything else are built to be sold and as long as the entitlements are easy they're not going to care about design any more than they have to. First McKinley had to work with the neighborhood to fit their project in, for example and it shows in the quality of product. Those sorts of pressures just don't exist on the east side of Central.

az_daniel · #10 Posted **Jun 21, 2022, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

These buildings like anything else are built to be sold and as long as the entitlements are easy they're not going to care about design any more than they have to. First McKinley had to work with the neighborhood to fit their project in, for example and it shows in the quality of product. Those sorts of pressures just don't exist on the east side of Central.

Sure that is understood, but prioritizing the façade on the street with the highest volume of multi modal traffic is the simplest way to generate interest and improve first impressions, visibility, marketing, and value. Why invest in higher design on the façade that faces away from the primary corridor? Just seems weird. Feels like the building sits on the site backwards. Not the biggest deal in the world, just an observation about the building that bugs me lol

combusean · #11 Posted **Jun 21, 2022, 5:49 PM**

I haven't looked at the site plan that closely but for all I know the residential address is on 1st st and the commercial space is on 601 N Central. For all I know they'd rather have the garage showing ample parking above the commercial space, and I know for sure I wouldn't want to rent above a busy store and light rail going on till 2 AM.

Chestnut1 · #12 Posted **Aug 9, 2022, 10:19 PM**

Final building plans were submitted yesterday, so this one is moving along.

CrestedSaguaro · #13 Posted **Aug 9, 2022, 10:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chestnut1

Final building plans were submitted yesterday, so this one is moving along.

Yep. Saw that today. This one moving fast.

PyroD · #14 Posted **Aug 9, 2022, 11:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrestedSaguaro

Yep. Saw that today. This one moving fast.

No kidding. It's moving at Link speeds

CrestedSaguaro · #15 Posted **Sep 28, 2022, 5:09 PM**

A demo permit has been submitted to the city of Phoenix for "below grade basement" which essentially means demo of the old underground bowling alley. I was really hoping there would be a way to incorporate this into the development, but it's probably not feasible.

Permit is subject to 30-day preservation hold.

combusean · #16 Posted **Sep 28, 2022, 5:14 PM**

Was there any intent to at least document what's down there?

CrestedSaguaro · #17 Posted **Sep 28, 2022, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

Was there any intent to at least document what's down there?

Not that I have read.

PHX31 · #18 Posted **Sep 28, 2022, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

Was there any intent to at least document what's down there?

Was that possibly done several years ago when they improved the sidewalks above it with new glass blocks and a plaque on the SEC of Central/Pierce?

CrestedSaguaro · #19 Posted **Oct 20, 2022, 6:20 PM**

Several FAA height evaluations submitted. Appears this has a new name, Realm Phoenix. Work schedule shows mid-January 2023. So this should start at the beginning of the new year

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...7420015&row=15

CrestedSaguaro · #20 Posted **Dec 12, 2022, 4:26 PM**

Forgot to post this over the weekend. Temp fencing is now up around the lot and parking has now been permanantly closed off. Looks like they are gearing up for demo of the underground bowling alley. I was hoping to see at least a tour presented of this historic gem before it got demo'd.

On the plus side, it will be nice to see this stretch of Central to start filling up with towers and shrinking the the gaps in Downtown.