Landed from the West yesterday and grabbed a few photos on the way in.

https://i.imgur.com/cpl4hEth.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/KoKwv99h.jpeg

Definitely denser but it just looks odd because there’s no significant skyscraper(s) to bridge it all together.

Phoenix now...Phoenix 1970
 

Nice photos. If all those high rises between McDowell and Camelback along Central were in downtown between McDowell & Jackson and 7th St. & 7th Ave. - you would have a very different downtown core. Too bad you don't have photos from those exact locations from say, 1969 - 1970. You would be shocked with the growth. The three new "skyscrapers": Valley National Bank building (Now, Chase), Wells Fargo, and Bank One - were not even up, yet.

1970 -------- Now, roughly, heading into 2024

Maricopa County: 971,228 --------- 4,800,000
(Population)


Pinal county: 67,916 --------- 500,000
(Population)


Total: 1,039,144 --------- 5,300,000

(Combined Statistical Area)

Agreed plus everything is beige and brown, it’s very depressing looking. Good pic however

I'll say this...it definitely looks better than just a small handful of office towers and little else, which is what it was for so many years. Nice!

Nice drone video of downtown, can see all the way through Chase as well as a Christmas tree on the top floor.

• Video Link

/\That is a pretty cool video. I am surprised Chase looks like that - nearly totally gutted. But why are all of the lights on?

Unless I missed something, I think that was just the reflection of the Christmas tree on top of the other building.

Chase all lit up and empty looks pretty cool and modern

Yeah, I moved here in 02 and it's night and day better than what it was. I prefer North looking South but haven't found a good vantage point to get that angle, plus I'm just using a cell phone.

I believe this picture is around that time- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ine.750pix.jpg

Part of it is the angle, part is it's my phone so quality isn't great, plus I only had about 30 seconds to snap a few pictures as we we're on approach. This one I zoomed in a bit further you can see some more variety plus more of uptown in view, there is a lot of beige and brown, not sugar coating that.

A new skin on the Wells Fargo building and the old Chase building would do wonders.

https://i.imgur.com/sKZGv8t.jpeg

Ah zoomed in does look better, I do wonder if the facade of the former Chase & Wells Fargo Tower will get an upgrade (not just painting the tower, all that does is like putting lipstick on a pig.)

Wells Fargo is definitely not getting a reskin as part of the Phoenix PD move in.

Chase probably will, eventually, because its unlikely to ever be reused as offices.

A few taller buildings surrounding it would help too.

Correct on Wells Fargo. I've already pulled an RR and the only thing getting done on the outside is additional screening around the garage for security reasons.

I'm really hoping g something is done with Chase soon. It's begging for a makover.

I agree, too bad we aren’t getting one on the old WF building, would’ve loved to see that thing striped down to it’s steel frame and reworked with a new facade, only hope that will be done with Chase or at least the portion containing the stairs/elevators. I’ve always thought that beige column looks old and outdated, a nice metal facade would do wonders!

I think wells Fargo would look fine with a fresh coat of paint, a nice city seal on the top maybe some new lighting.

I agree... it's architectural look has aged fairly well. It's just in desperate need of some paint. And the entire skyline is in need of some new night time lighting.

I vote for hot pink or turquoise. Anything but beige. :tup:

City Council approved Central Park yesterday.

I just hope it has good access and interaction with the park.