Tag Archives: Urban Living

Phoenix Approves Sale of Historic Downtown Building

The city of Phoenix will sell a 101-year-old historic downtown building to a developer for $2.28 million.

Jun 23, 2016

Barrister Building,downtown Phoenix.historic

Barrister Building in downtown Phoenix sale approved and will be renovated

The Arizona Republic reports that the city-owned Barrister Building, which sits on the corner of Jefferson Street and Central Avenue, will be sold to Crescent Bay Development Services LLC. The developer plans to renovate the century-old building, which the city bought in 1990.

Development plans include at least 88 condos in the existing six-story building as well as two new buildings.

This is the latest effort to renovate and preserve the historic building, which originally opened in 1915, and at one time was the tallest building in the state. The city had approved another project plan two years ago but it eventually fell through.

The building was long home to the Jefferson Hotel, featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie “Psycho.”

“We’re really excited about the project,” said Geoff Beer, a principal with Scottsdale-based Crescent Bay.

Beer said plans calls for construction of two new six-story buildings to go along with the six-story, 100-year-old Barrister building. The Jefferson Hotel/Barrister building was built in 1915.

Beer expects condos to be priced between $250,000 and $650,000 with an average unit size of 1,170 square feet. He said Crescent’s bid calls for buying the city-owned building for $2.28 million. It will also include some ground level retail and restaurant space.

Phoenix could reimburse Crescent Bay up to $1.9 million for infrastructure and preservation improvements, according to the Republic.

Fry’s to Open a Full Service Grocery Store in Downtown Phoenix

Courtesy: Downtown Phoenix Journal

Fry’s Food Stores Announces New Location in the Heart of Downtown Phoenix

55,000 Square-Foot Full-Service Grocery Store to Join Proposed Mixed-Use Project

Frys Food Store,downtown phoenix,new,cityscapeFry’s Food Stores and RED Development today announced the popular grocer will open downtown Phoenix’s first full-service grocery store. Fry’s preferred location to build the new 55,000 square-foot grocery store would be on the surface parking lot bordered between Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue, located between CityScape Phoenix and Collier Center. The downtown grocer would be housed in a proposed mixed-use development that could include traditional and creative office space and residential uses.

With the recent resurgence of downtown Phoenix and neighboring districts plus the expansion of both ASU and UA downtown campuses, a grocery store has been long-coveted for this area of the city. New employers are opening up offices, including tech-focused companies such as Uber and several new residential buildings have been built to meet the demands of new employee growth, creating an even greater need for a grocer in downtown Phoenix.

“This just made it a lot easier to move to downtown Phoenix,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “A new full-service grocery store will be a catalyst for more residential and neighborhood growth downtown for years to come. With RED Development, Fry’s and Kroger, we are gaining trusted brands with a long track record of success in downtown urban markets.”

Frys Food,downtown phoenix,cityscape,real estate,historic

The location of the pending development is adjacent to CityScape Phoenix on the Valley Metro Light Rail Line. Photo courtesy of RED Development.

“This has been over 10 years in the making,” said Council member Michael Nowakowski, whose district includes downtown. “As the member on the Council who has represented downtown the longest, I am excited to announce that we are finally bringing a grocery store to downtown Phoenix. I can’t wait to see this project break ground in my district.”

Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, chairman of the Phoenix City Council’s Downtown, Aviation and Redevelopment Subcommittee, added “A grocery store has been at the heart of creating a modern, urban, vibrant downtown, which is needed to help attract the top talent necessary for our economy to thrive. I am thrilled to join Fry’s and RED in announcing this incredible news.”

“As a former downtown resident, I know first-hand how difficult it can be without convenient access to a full-service grocery store,” said Vice Mayor Kate Gallego. “For residents who live and work downtown, especially those who rely on light rail and other public transportation, this store is exactly what we need.”

Councilwoman Thelda Williams has also worked on this issue for many years.

The new Fry’s Food Store would be conveniently located in the core of downtown Phoenix, in between major light rail access points and would also serve greater downtown Phoenix historic districts such as Garfield, Roosevelt, Grand Avenue, Warehouse, Eastlake Park and more.

“CityScape was just the beginning of the potential we see in downtown Phoenix,” said Mike Ebert, Managing Partner, RED Development. “RED Development is looking forward to continuing its planning efforts on this mixed-use project and bringing a Fry’s grocery store to this area is the next step in solidifying the stability of the downtown revitalization movement.”

RED Development and Fry’s Food Stores look forward to sharing more details in coming months as the project progresses.

About RED Development
A wholly integrated commercial real estate company, RED Development maximizes asset value and performance for its high-quality retail and mixed-use portfolio that comprises 34 properties totaling nearly 17 million square feet in 11 states. For over 20 years, RED has been a preferred partner for national retailers and investors. The company also works with third-party property owners seeking RED’s expertise in remerchandising and repositioning properties to improve profitability and appeal. A privately held company headquartered in Phoenix, with corporate offices in Dallas, TX, and Overland Park, KS, RED builds on its development capabilities as an active acquirer of existing properties. www.reddevelopment.com

About Fry’s Food Stores
Fry’s Food Stores is headquartered in Tolleson, Arizona. The company employs more than 18,000 Arizona residents. The 119 Fry’s Food Stores service more than three million customers each week. Fry’s has been serving Arizonans since 1960. In 2012, Fry’s was honored with the Arizona Fundraising Professionals “Outstanding Corporation” award for its community service and philanthropic efforts. The company also received “2013, 2014 and 2015 Top Company” awards. Fry’s is the only grocer in Arizona to receive Top Company honors. The company is hiring and looking for customer service stars.

Arcadia Historic Neighborhood In Midtown Phoenix Arizona

The Arcadia neighborhood is one of the most desirable addresses in Phoenix.

Camelback Mountain Arcadia Historic Neighborhood

Camelback Mountain is prominently seen from many homes in the Historic Arcadia Neighborhoods

I personally lived in Arcadia starting in 1989 as the first house I purchased was in this eclectic neighborhood. I had a stunning view of Camelback Mountain in my back yard like so many homes in Arcadia do. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a home that doesn’t have a view of Camelback Mountain, at least to some degree. I can attest to all the wonderful attributes Arcadia has to offer but don’t take my word for it; get in your car and go cruise the area. You’ll fall in love with it.

Arcadia is bounded by 44th Street to 68th Streets and from Indian School Road to Camelback Mountain. Immediate surrounding areas have more recently been referenced as Lower Arcadia or the Arcadia area but the true Arcadia corridor begins at the corner of 44th Street and Indian School Road going north and east from there. Contrary to many people trying to ride on the “Arcadia” name, there is indeed a true, defined Arcadia Corridor.

Arcadia neighborhood is not officially a historic district and its eastern edge is in the City of Scottsdale but Arcadia has more than earned its huge place in Phoenix history.

Arcadia Homes For Sale

Arcadia is one of the most desirable and priciest addresses in Phoenix. The homes range from small ranch houses under 1,000 Square feet to stunning luxury estates that sit on five acres with a lot of in-between. You’ll find a wide variety of architectural styles from sprawling 4 to 5-bedroom ranches built in the postwar era to Revivals and Pueblo-style homes dating to the late 1920’s and early 1930’s

The neighborhood is surrounded by original luxury guest resorts along Camelback Road like the Royal Palms and is walking distance to many trending restaurants are bars such as The Vig, LaGrande Orange Grocery and Pizzeria, Postino’s Wine Cafe, Zipps, The Arcadia Tavern, the famous Pete’s Fish and Chips and so much more! Eating and drinking your way around Arcadia is fun and can take some time.

Many people now refer to Arcadia as Midtown as it’s in the middle of everything superb and its overall location is in the center of it all. Sky Harbor Airport is just a hop and a skip away as is Biltmore Fashion Park, Fashion Square in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley along with a plethora of fantastic golf courses! Downtown and Central Phoenix is just a very short jaunt as is I-10, the Loop 202, the 51 and the 143.

Arcadia Park, G.R. Herberger Park, Camelback Mountain (and its hiking trails) along with easy access to the canal gives many options for hiking, jogging, biking and walking.

Arcadia is also known for its top tier public schools (some of the best in the state) such as Hopi Elementary School, Ingleside Middle School and Arcadia High School in the Scottsdale Unified School District making it an extremely family friendly community. There are also private schools in the area.

This is the type of neighborhood where the neighbors know each other, walk their dogs and are out with their children enjoying the tranquility this wonderful neighbor offers!

Arcadia homes have character, are well-kept and have high property values as the neighborhood is adjacent to the upscale suburbs of Paradise Valley, the Biltmore area, Scottsdale and North Central Phoenix. Most lawn have lush, green lawns, custom landscaping, palm trees and citrus trees galore!

Built on former citrus groves, Arcadia is known for well-irrigated, mature landscaping. Several yards prominently feature orange, lemon and grapefruit trees as reminders of the area’s past. The area used to be occupied by citrus farmers from 1919 to the mid-1950’s. In the mid-1950’s, the rest of Phoenix caught up with the farms and the area suburbanized with characteristic ranch homes on large lots. Arcadia High School serves and derives its name from the neighborhood.

The film, Everything Must Go, takes place in Arcadia.

In 2002, CNNMoney voted Arcadia as one of the “Best Places To Live” stating:

In stark contrast to Ahwatukee’s desert foliage are the lush green lawns of Arcadia, a neighborhood that sits on the Phoenix and Scottsdale city line. Arcadia is a former orange grove with its own irrigation system, and rows of citrus trees line its blocks of quaint homes built in the 1950’s and 1960’s on large lots.

Because Arcadia is so highly regarded for its greenery and high-performance schools, which are in the Scottsdale system, prices are on the high end: Starter homes begin at $300,000. Homeowners tend to do a lot of remodeling, adding much diversity to the once similar-looking homes; it’s not uncommon to see a country cottage adjacent to a Spanish hacienda. Residents brag about being close to Scottsdale’s high-end shopping, a world-class resort, arts centers and good restaurants, as well as downtown Phoenix.

I couldn’t agree more. After all, living in Arcadia for so many years, I’m hooked.

Read the History of Arcadia Historic Neighborhood

Annual Coronado Home Tour In 2016 will Highlight Country Club Historic District

Sunday, February 28, 2016 is the 29th Annual Coronado Historic Neighborhood Home Tour from 11 am–4 pm. Start at Circle Park, 10th Street & Windsor, Phoenix 85006. This year, Country Club Park Historic District will be featured.

Coronado Historic District 2016 Home Tour

Coronado Historic District’s Annual Home Tour

From the Coronado Neighborhood Association Website

The Coronado Neighborhood Association welcomes you to a Picnic in the Park, the 29th Annual Coronado Home Tour. This year we will gather at Circle Park and enjoy food and picnic games surrounded by music, arts and crafts for the kids, a lively street fair, homes open for tour and the Coronado Classic car and bicycle show.

This year’s tour will highlight the Country Club Historic District, one of three historic districts in the Greater Coronado neighborhood. Country Club Park earned historic designation in 1993 and has a history dating to 1888 when Charles Orme filed a homestead patent for the area. Read the full history of County Club Park Historic District here.

Home Tour tickets can be purchased in advance online for $13 (including fees) or on Tour Day for $15 cash or credit. Pick up your wrist band (your pass to the homes on tour) and Home Tour Guide at the ticket booths on each end of Circle Park.

VEHICLE PARKING: Coronado is a residential neighborhood, so you may park in front of any home throughout the area and walk to Circle Park on Windsor Ave. (two blocks south of Thomas Rd.) between 8th and 10th St. Please be courteous of residents and do not block driveways.

BIKE PARKING: We encourage you to ride your bike to the event. There will be over a dozen bike racks available around Circle Park and in front of homes on the tour you can lock your bike up to. Just make sure to pick up your bike by 4pm if in front of a home or 5pm if locked up at Circle Park.

For tickets and more information, click here. Check out other historic districts in Phoenix, AZ.

9 am Kids Parade around Circle Park

9 am – 4 pm Fair, Family Festival and Picnic Games in the Park

80+ vendors, 10+ food trucks & treat booths

live music entertainment

11 am – 4 pm Coronado Classic car and bicycle show

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