Building on the opposite side of Pita Jungle on Roosevelt...what was here before, anyone know?

http://nitnelav.com/DTNov222011/6.jpg

It used to be a "high school". Not exactly sure what the name of the school was but it lasted for a few years. Before that it was a parenting center...I don't think it was a Planned Parenthood but that's the first thing that pops into my mind. I remember seeing it when I visited Phoenix a few years ago.

Nice to see it turn into retail then.

"Phoenix Birthing Project" was there before. They apparently moved to 1301 E Washington.

http://www.phoenixbirthingproject.org/

It had been there since the 30s or 40s when some school did the poor renovation job in the 80s. Its new tenants have made it look nice. There was an article about the history of the building and the new tenants which was pretty interesting, I'll have to look for it.

Apartments are the one thing that's "hot" with lenders and developers. I would think that downtown is ready for something that could appeal to the twenty, thirty-something crowd.
From here you could as easily go to Tempe (well heh, if that helps make it work) as well as downtown.

Somebody has to go first and constructions costs are very reasonable right now. This could lead to other mixed use development.

It was just over 10 years ago that a 355 unit, five/six story, full (odd shaped) not prime block was started not far from Coors Field. It was later acquired by Equity Residential.
http://images.travelnow.com/hotelima...00/086048A.jpg ... http://images.hotel-rates.com/hoteli...00/086048E.jpg

Now, ten story apartments have become common place. It may seem to be apples to oranges, but I'm betting that the developer is aware that Zocalo Development recently sold
his Solero apartments for over $308,000 per unit in a building with one bedrooms starting at 669 square feet.

For example, Alliance Residential, who is proposing to build at 26th and Camelback: http://www.azcentral.com/business/re...stone0118.html
built apartments right across the street from Coors Field where they literally built around and over and incorporated an historical Piggly Wiggly warehouse.
http://www.twentyone01.com/ ... http://www.denverinfill.com/images/b...01_market4.jpg

I'm telling you that Phoenix has caught "the bug" of downtown urbanism. It's just a matter of time and this could be the very best time to build this project.

I hope you're right, it definitely seems like the apartment market is ready to roll deep.

It sure seem ripe for more downtown apts and even condos. What is there now seems to be filled or filling up fast. Building now while cheap would be the thing!!!

I would say apartments not condos. The apartments downtown have been leasing almost immediately, but the same can not be said for condo sales.

If 44 Monroe and the Centerpoint towers have told us anything it's that there is a strong demand for highrise luxury rentals in the Valley. What they need to build are high quality apartments that can be converted to condos when the real estate market improves.

I think with the amount of people who cannot buy a home right now, there is a strong demand for rentals period.

When you are able to buy for 30-40 cents on the dollar, then, sure you can afford to rent out units like 44 Monroe and Centerpoint and for the right rent, sure there will be plenty of takers,
but that's an anomaly. Going forward I wouldn't anticipate developers wanting to....

If there are good urban blocks available, a nice but reasonably affordable apartment can become a real cash cow over time. With a site like this that's so easily accessible to light rail, apartments are ideal.
Apartment buildings are a normal and desired part of an urban environment. You might be surprised how many people choose to rent even though they could afford to buy. Today's twenty-somethings want
more convenience and activity and to NOT be tethered to a white picket fence or even a condo. They change jobs, cities etc.

Can't see the whole article because its Phoenix Business Journal

Marriott Planned for Downtown
A California hotel company and Marriott International are moving forward with a 280-room urban concept hotel at Central Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Phoenix (Luhrs Central Building).

Patty Johnson, CEO of Connections Marketing & Communications, said construction could start as early as next year. The project is going through the city’s planning and zoning approval process.

The hotel will be part of redevelopment efforts at the Luhrs Tower. Irvine, Calif.-based Hansji Hotels has been looking to redevelop the Luhrs buildings, which are a few blocks west of US Airways Center and south of the new CityScape development....

Link

DAMN....Merry Christmas to us!!!!!!

Does anyone have access to the entire article? I'm also curious as to what the changes are to the Wyndham.

Here is the full article...let's hope this actually happens and we don't just end up with a knocked down Luhr's Central Building and another parking lot in it's place. The article says it's currently going thru the city's planning and zoning process? Haven't seen anything about it but I'll do some more searching.

This should probably go in the Luhr's thread but since the other article is here, I'll just continue here I guess.

Did some digging around the Recorder's Office website and there are quite a few things related to a hotel on that site from HHLUHRS LLC.

An Agreement was signed between then and the city in May 2010 that has a lot of stipulations on the projects, but unfortunately it seems they have already missed all the deadlines, which can't be a good sign.

The original Agreement says the develop intends to demolish the Central Building and construct an approx. 315 room hotel (may have as many as 415 rooms) with a bisto bar, 5,350 st ft of meeting space, fitness center and swimming pool.

It goes on to say that by Jan 1, 2011, the developer needs to have an agreement with a major hotel brand in place.

By July 1, 2011, the developer needs to have all building permits and commence construction. (a 12 month extension may be granted)

Within 6 months of the commencement date (July 1, 2011), the foundation for the hotel should be completed.

Within 24 months of the commencement date, the project should be completed.


There is a Memorandum of Development Lease that was entered into on Oct. 1, 2011 which is basically HHLuhrs (the developer) leasing the land back from the City of Phoenix (for tax purposes) so there is progress being made on this actually moving forward.

This is the site map and future location of the hotel.

http://nitnelav.com/luhrsblock.jpg

^^
Thanks HX_Guy.

This is great news to see the Luhrs Tower finally treated with a little dignity. The double branding seems to be a more recent trend. Having a Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn should work well for this property.

But wait... in addition there will be a Marriott Renaissance coming to downtown. Triple cool. Good to get an update on Steve Cohn's property. Nothing like some fresh skin.

Whatever incentives Phoenix has given are well worth it in my view. Having both these properties renovated and updated with Marriott branding brings new energy to downtown. Good to see.

I'm not familiar with these dual branded hotels, how do they work? Are there two separate lobbies and one hotel is the first X stories and the next is the stories above? or are they more wholly integrated?

it sounds to me like a different concept that is a mix of the two properties.