Referring back to the topic of development in the area around 44th Street and Van Buren/Washington, there's some small work being done on VB near Tovrea Castle. They've added a small parking lot with some pretty nice signage and landscaping. I'll try to snap a picture this week. The building mentioned in the article at 44th and VB is fairly attractive, as well.

It's a shame how disconnected and underdeveloped that area is with quite a few potential destinations/landmarks, though: Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Papago Park, Zoo/Botanical Garden, Tovrea, etc. It's also right off the light rail and very close to downtown Tempe.

It is "underdeveloped" for a variety of reasons. 1) It is close to Sky Harbor and all the accompanying height restrictions, sound issues, etc. 2) Much parkland and parcels that cannot be developed (Pueblo Grande Museum) are within this zone. 3) It is not particularly "close" to either downtown Phoenix or Tempe in terms of continuing the urban core out to 44th St. 4)One corner is also a Transit Center for light rail, the future Sky Train, and buses.

I really wish the Musical Instrument Museum would've gone on that lot. The MIM fronting McDowell with a pair of 300' or so towers facing Central would've been a dream. Plus with a 3rd Museum (the MIM) in the area the name "Midtown Museum District" would've seemed a bit less silly. I've never really understood how PAM & The Heard constitute a "district".

It housed a bland, windowless building that belonged to Mountain Bell, now known as Century Link. It was torn down at some point in the early '90s.

Agreed, but there has still been a decent amount of development there. Lots of mid rise buildings from 5 to 10 stories have been erected in the past 10 years in the area bounded by Washington St., 44th St., Van Buren, and 48th St.

Completely agree. Unfortunately, at the time MIM was being planned and built, that lot was slated for two high-rise condo towers that were never built. That's not to excuse MIM's poor site selection, but more just an explanation of why that corner was probably never available to the museum.

Africa-Israel Group (can't make this shit up) is the owner of the parcel on McDowell and Central. They're a pretty big outfit, so my guess is their holding until the right project comes along.

http://www.afigroup-global.com/afi_usa_new_york.htm

Just a heads up - dirt lot turning into a parking lot on the SE corner of 2nd Ave & Fillmore, just south of the Lofts.

ASU needs parking for YMCA while they renovate so they are going to pave the lot into another heat island-inducing, flood water collecting parking lot.

/\ Good, that lot is a huge piece of sh!t. This is one instance where I'd rather see a new parking lot (as it used to be one that fell into total disrepair).

I'll still hold out hope that someday it's developed for real.

The permanent signage for Chipotle (NWC) and Five Guys (NEC) is up at "The Corner on 7th". An eat-outside area is being constructed, surrounded by a railing, on the McDowell side of Chipotle. Temporary window signs for Jersey Mike's (between Chipotle and Five Guys) and How Do You Roll? (SWC) are also on display. How Do You Roll? has a beer and wine license application in the window.

Fess up.... You just made that site up, right?

Actually I see it's a public company that trades on both the TASE and the LSE. From Wikipedia there is this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa_Israel_Investments
Apparently, like everybody else they are recovering slowly. In October they sold the Manhattan Clock Tower for $165 million. (per Wikipedia)

The Africa-Israel site has been for sale for a long freaking time. The associated project *used* to be listed on their website but is long gone.

Yep, I remember. That project seemed relatively real too, sad it didn't happen. One good thing to come of it was we learned the folks in Willo aren't NIMBY's and were all for the high density there, so hopefully something will happen in the next market up turn.

Whole Foods coming to Town & Country shopping center in Phoenix
Jan Buchholz Reporter - Phoenix Business Journal

By this time next year, shoppers in central Phoenix likely will be watching with great anticipation as Whole Foods puts its finishing touches on a new store at the iconic Town & Country shopping center at 20th Street and Camelback Road. At least, that’s what Whole Foods is saying.

RED Development, part owner of the shopping center, isn’t saying anything. The Phoenix Business Journal has asked them to confirm on more than one occasion that the Austin, Tex.-based natural and organic foods company is opening a store there.

Robyn Young, the vice president of marketing and communications for RED, said the company “isn’t in a position to confirm any details at this time.” But they aren’t denying them, either.

Meanwhile, Whole Foods told the Phoenix Business Journal today that they are moving into the former Linens ‘N Things on the southwest side of the complex.

When the Phoenix Business Journal first asked about the Whole Foods rumors in May, RED said they had leased that space to Smart & Final, a small grocery warehouse. But nothing has happened there, and perhaps some arrangements have been made to negate that deal.

At any rate, Whole Foods officials say they will open a 35,000-square-foot store in the neighborhood by early 2013.

“We are proud to be a part of the Phoenix community and the 20th and Camelback location will give us an even greater opportunity to provide the highest quality natural and organic products to Phoenix residents,” said Patrick Bradley, president of Whole Foods’ Southern Pacific Region.

For avid grocery shoppers, there now will be a Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Fry’s at one corner. Bon appetit!

There is, of course, already a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Fry's at one corner (Tatum and Shea).

and an albertsons.

this, of course, has nothing to do with town and country.

Ha... Indeed, there has been discussion about where downtown/midtown starts and ends but don't recall Tatum/Shea ever being included. (Nice area though)

^ I used to think Deck Park was the boundary put I'm putting it at McDowell these days.

Reasons:

- The downtown official redevelopment area stretches all the way north to McDowell.
- The Midtown Museum District Neighborhood Association's south end is at McDowell.
- Burton Barr is not on the southern end of Midtown, it's on the northern edge of Downtown.
- The stuff like Giant Coffee and the arts school on the south side of McDowell doesn't feel like Midtown.
- The suburbanized stuff on the north side of McDowell does feel like Midtown.

I know this has nothing to do with anything.

The real interesting discussion to me is the Midtown vss Uptown boundary.I used to think Camelback or the canal but know I'd say Indian School.That's where the density and height drops off and where you go from more historic 'hoods like Will and Alvarado to post war development like Woodlea and Medlock.

A friend of mine who works in PR for H&M claims they are opening one in Circles....
I told her that she was full of shit but she said the deal is done.
Just throwing it out there to see if anyone else has heard this.

That would be a great idea if it happens

^^^Seems like a terrible location for that store.

really? Hipster land, near ASU, seems like a bad location?

That would actually be pretty cool to have an H&M there, good visibility and could spark some additional development in that area.

Yeah. This could be the first domino in making Central that retail corridor it could be.

A cool store in a cool building!!! ... Near light rail, near ASU, Near a nice neighborhood. hope they have enough parking.

If that happened, yes, I think a flood of stores and businesses would pop up!

I don't know about a flood but I think it could definitely spark some interest from other retailers...like, hmm, if H&M set up there, maybe we need to take a closer look ourselves.

I went to the Arts Fest on Mill Ave with my hipster friend that lives in 44 Monroe, he was just complaining today that there isn't an H&M on Mill Ave. or anywhere else along the light-rail. He would be in heaven.

Where Denver Can't Hold a Candle to Phoenix
 

When it comes to retail Denver is flyover country. Phoenix outpaces Denver by a country mile.

Only recently did Denver get their first H&M (Nov. 11th). Likewise, the first Ikea store opened in July. Only cool thing was that H&M did choose downtown for their first store in the Denver Pavilions.
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/liv...6_FINAL~p1.jpg

H&M just doesn't have a reputation for going in to unoccupied spaces. They're not Basha's...I just can't think of a single example of H&M going in to a space where they're the only retailer within 1/4 mile.

At the same time, I think the space could be awesome and a perfect location for ASU & Roosevelt Hipsters. We might actually get something into the Westward Ho retail spot if this happens.

I'll keep you guys posted if my friend gets any more info to me. Meanwhile, you're all my eyes.

Yeah, I think it's a terrible location because of the lack of retail in the area. Stand alone retail, or retail on one side of a street vs. both sides doesn't have a good track record for surviving and thriving.

Well, if they want a downtown location...is there a better spot for them? Maybe on the corner of Central and Van Buren in the Security Building? Maybe in the Luhrs Building?

I would think the they would want a location near CityScape (perhaps Luhrs) with all the hype about it. Seems like the kind of location HM strives for. It would get much more exposure from CityScape patrons and hotel guests looking to kill time.

In time, I do believe that the Circle's building would be a good location for something (maybe whole foods) as the northern edge of DT/Roosevelt continues to develop and fill in. I think that if something goes in there too soon then it'll flounder and fail.

But aside from the ground floor of Luhrs Building at SWC of Central/Jefferson, I don't think there is any space big enough around Cityscape, is there? And wo knows wha Luhrs is asking for rent vs Circles?

I'm sure it would be cheaper rent in the Circles building. I would think that it's more risky to locate up there over the heart of DT.

They would have to consider the benefits of cheaper rent, lower revenue, or pay a premium to have better exposure and possibly higher revenue. Luhr's may offer incredible deals just to get the ball rolling. I think I remember reading that CS did that? Collier's has empty retail spots, maybe that could work also.

*If* an urban Target does decide to move into the block between CS/Colliers, then this part of DT would become a pedestrian magnate or a major retail center, something I think would be in H&M's interest to be a part of. I think a successful recipe for DT Phx is to cluster retail, restaurants and entertainment.

Since we are on the subject of H&M, perhaps someone can explain to me their ads in the stores mens departments.... creepy as fuck. What is going on here? is this a father/son? is it a daddy/boi? wtf?!

http://www.hm.com/us/department/MEN

Haha... Only guess I've got is that Europeans are huggers, yes including guys. Their touch boundaries are much different than ours. We're very constipated. Just sayin'.

it's not even the touching... the looks on their faces. haha

I would think they would want to be right in Cityscape.

Although I could see them going to the Arizona Center if it got its mojo back, what with the ASU buildings etc.

That ad is definitely a daddy/boi approach targeted at gay customers; however, I agree the old guy is creepy looking and they would have done better with a more handsome and muscular, older dude.

I'm torn on a location for H&M (if there is any truth to a downtown store to begin with)...a location near CityScape would be an ideal spot but the Circle's building does offer great access to both walking customers from the surrounding neighborhoods and ASU AND parking (especially during the weekend and evening hours). There are still plenty of lots that customers can use and street parking that wouldn't compete with other businesses. As the area develops, the store would be established and more downtown housing would replace the "driving" customer with those in the immediate area that can walk to the store.

Sorry, after years of occasionally reading what's going on back in Phoenix, just had to chime in. Are you really disturbed by this? I mean, seriously, it's an ad, not a gay porn. I am gay and I see this ad plastered on 10-story buildings around town, and a dad/son gay relationship is the last thing that came to mind. It's part of a long line of people hugging each other, as a family. Just the cut-out is all you see here. I think you're projecting a lot, that it would even stick in your mind so much so that you'd bring it up here. Even if it is, who gives a rat's ass? Exactly the reason why the people necessary to turn Phoenix into a real metropolis get the hell out of there the first chance they can.

we were on the topic of H&M so I brought it up. The ad is very confusing and I'm not the only one who felt that way in fact I've had the same discussion with other people. I don't care if it is gay, straight, family, whatever, but the looks on their faces and the in your face ad with two men in very differening age brackets make it a tad disturbing to me.

It's not clear what is going on here. It could be two men about the same age looking like pals hugging, or it could be two obviously gay men hugging, but the age difference and the loving glare the young one is giving him makes it weird.

So sue me for having an opinion that it's a very poor ad, and projects to people (like I said others have told me this as well) that H&M is for gay men.

I'm gay and I think it's weird. At least they could've picked a better looking "dad"...

I hadn't seen the H&M ad until I read this thread, but I instantly recognized the "old guy" or "dad" as Bryan Ferry, the lead singer for Roxy Music and an accomplished solo artist. A quick search reveals that the person he is posing with in the ad is his real-life son Tara.

I've never been to an H&M and have a feeling I'm too much of an "old guy" and a dad myself to like the store. Still, having the Circles building put to use once again as a retail space would be a great step forward. I think in some ways it might be better than CityScape because the Cirlces location would be highly visible. At CityScape, the inward focus of the complex hides stores from view.

Now that's adds an interesting wrinkle. I just assumed it was father/son so I didn't attach any gayness, silly me.

No disrespect to older members of the testosterone crowd, but likely the target market is unbothered by the ad. Also urban meccas in contrast to prairie and farm peeps. Can see my Hawkeye friends
being weirded out maybe even though they love their animals (but that's a whole other topic).


Nothing that I'm aware of would lead me to believe H&M would venture away from established traffic as in foot traffic. Since it's their money what "we" would wish for isn't of much use.

Presumably like others I've been frustrated by the inward looking downtown "centers" although CityScape does a better job than the Arizona Center. Originally, I thought maybe being in the desert
this might work better. How would I know compared to high priced planners?

They should have taken a page from newer LifeStyle Centers to have a ground level walk-through area. That would have been cool. That would still be very pedestrian friendly, activate the area.

Reinvent Phoenix will plan light rail corridor
Funding for the city’s plan to build housing and businesses along the light rail east of downtown from 7th Street to 56th street and McDowell Road to Montebello Avenue is moving forward with the award of a federal grant.

The city was given $2.9 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city will kick in an additional $2.8 million in matching funds.

It will take three years to come up with prospective plans for the two neighborhoods. Multiple community partners are involved in the effort, which is called Reinvent Phoenix. They’ve come up with another $1.1 million in private funding for the project.

Those with a stake in the new development include Arizona State University, housing developers such as Gorman and Co., St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Maricopa Community Colleges.

The areas in question are impoverished and greatly in need of redevelopment and economic stimulus. The Eastlake neighborhood, for example, has an average resident income of just over $11,000 a year. A quarter of the families there are below the poverty level.

Funds for property acquisition and construction are not supplied by the federal grant, so it may be more than five years before any redevelopment actually starts.

The intent is to place affordable housing within reach of the citizens who need it most, and also offer social support services like health assessment and job training.

Phoenix hopes to begin acting on proposed solutions for housing needs in 2013, which could include financing support or other incentives for developers. The plan for boosting economic development would begin in late 2014.
Link

Arizona Center would be better than the Circles location.

For them? Maybe. For downtown? Circles definitely.

I don't know much about H&M, but I think they have a contemprorary, youthful image. If that's true, a standalone location near the Roosevelt Row art scene might be more fitting than the play-it-safe Arizona Center, which shows its ugly backside to ASU DT and Evans-Churchill and draws a lot of its traffic from convention attendees and sports fans to the south.

Oasis on Grand
 

The Oasis on Grand is open. I was expecting a lot more changes to the exterior appearance of the building. From 15th Ave it looks the same as before except the patio railings are now painted in hideous bright multi-color shades.

I'm glad the building is being used but I was hoping for substantial changes to the exterior. At least it will put people in the neighborhood rather than having an empty old ugly building.

http://oasisongrand.com/

Summit at Copper Square
 

It looks like the 74 units in Copper Square that were recently sold now have a leasing company. They didn't waste any time.

http://www.brewaz.com/content/index_...r%2018,%202011

http://www.igourban.com/summit.html

The prices to me look very reasonable. They are about comparable to the Portland Place Apartments but much higher quality and in a high-rise.