The time to grab the remaining units at Summit at Copper Square is now!

Phoenix Summit at Copper Square Arizona condos lofts townhomesWith the economy slowing down, some of those neat high-rises on the drawing boards may stay right in place until the future looks a little more stable. The Phoenix urban core is lucky not to have overbuilt in this last boom so prices should stabilize a lot faster (this is a case of “being slow out of the gate” working to Phoenix’s advantage). But if your looking to get in on Phoenix’s emerging high-rise living you have little to choose from downtown and it won’t last long (this ain’t no Miami!). Summit at Copper Square is nearing completion and is expected to soon sell out. Surrounded by some of the most dynamic commercial land use in the Valley including the Financial District, Chase Field, US Airways Center, CityScape, the Convention Center, and the proposed Jackson Street Entertainment District and the emerging renaissance of the Warehouse District, Summit at Copper Square offers spectacular views, reasonable pricing, and strong upward market pressures. It’s still not too late to get in on a new landmark in downtown Phoenix. Contact Us now or call 602-595-4454 for more information of Summit at Copper Square.

Camelback and 44th redevelopment issues remain on burner

The redevelopment of Camelback and 44th St. for mixed-use including residential homes remains a hot topic but still hanging in limbo after last night’s meeting on the various proposals. Phoenix, the developers, and local residents have their say: Camelback Road projects on hold

Two projects along Camelback Road remain on hold as the Phoenix Planning Commission studies three redevelopment proposals at the road’s intersection with 44th Street.

The two proposals discussed Thursday evening were Opus West’s proposal for the southeast corner, where the well-known “mushroom” bank is located, and M3 Cos. plan for the northwest corner, where the Camel Square development currently sits.

Opus West sought a delay to work out new plans with neighborhood residents, who opposed the initial plans. Attorney Stephen Earl said the company would build in reduced heights and densities from the initial project, although neighborhood activist Paul Barnes said the company remains “a long way from anything the neighborhood would deem acceptable.”

The Camel Square proposal was delayed after close to three hours of discussion, pro and con, before a room crowded with residents of the area. Attorneys for the developer described the proposed project and argued it fits with the city’s desire to grow smarter, but opponents made the point that the plan violated several existing city plans calling for compatible development and maintenance of views of Camelback Mountain nearby.

The proposal includes three 100-foot tall buildings and will be largely residential, with condominiums, town homes and nine single-family lots. The developer said the parcel, at 17.4 acres, is the largest between the Biltmore area at 24th Street and the Phoenician Resort.

Planning Commission chairman Don Keuth said he expected a third redevelopment proposal, for the site of the London Center on the corner’s southwest quadrant, to be filed on Friday.

He proposed that the commission be proactive and look at all three quadrants together. He said the committee should “develop a reasonable solution.” Commissioner Wes Gullett will lead the effort.

Keuth emphasized the importance of the decision, saying the city expects many more similar proposals down the road. Attorney Grady Gammage, representing the developer, said the development “is a precursor to the future of Phoenix.”

26forty & 52thirty LEED lofts announced for Arcadia South area

As reported in the Phoenix Business Journal, Jerrott Willard, a former NFL player, and Moran Architects, are joining forces to develop two LEED-certified projects in the Arcadia South area. Former NFL player partners with architects for “green” lofts:

Two more urban “green” residential developments were announced Wednesday and one of the partners is Jerrott Willard, a former University of California Berkeley football player who spent one season in the NFL.

Willard is teaming with Scottsdale-based Moran Architects to build 26forty and 52thirty, two urban-style loft projects that will meet the criteria for LEED, the certification system devised by the U.S. Green Building Council to rate the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Both projects are scheduled to break ground by the end of the year.

The 26forty project is located at 2640 N. 52nd St. The 16 lofts will range in size from 1,300 square feet to 1,700 square feet, and each will have private terrace views of Camelback Mountain.

The 52thirty project is located at 5230 E. Oak St. The 15 condos also will have views of Camelback Mountain and South Mountain. They will range in size from 1,500 square feet to 1,900 square feet and feature two master bedroom floorplans.

Solar panels will be available as an option. Reservations for the homes will be taken in November. Prices have yet to be announced.

Jerrott Willard/50 greatest Golden Bears NFL stats

Luhr’s block slated for redevelopment? CityScape generates heat in the area

Luhr's Tower Phoenix The Luhr’s block, on the south edge of the proposed CityScape development is under negotiation for purchase by Hansji Hotels Inc. of Irvine, CA. The site has preliminary plans for redevelopment into hotel and offices and is currently scheduled for closing September 14. Here are some pictures I took this summer while scouting out the light rail update. Hotel project to “revitalize” Luhrs block”:Luhr's Tower Phoenix“Phoenix’s first two skyscrapers and other buildings covering a block of downtown are being sought by a California company proposing to build a full-service hotel there.

Hansji Hotels Inc. of Irvine, Calif., is negotiating to buy all of the buildings on the city block bounded by Jefferson and Madison streets and Central and First avenues.

Luhr's Building Phoenix The block is dominated by the 10-story Luhrs Building, 11 W. Jefferson St.; the 15-story Luhrs Tower, 45 W. Jefferson St.; the two-story Luhrs Central Building, 132 S. Central Ave.; and the five-story Luhrs parking garage, First Avenue and Madison Street.

The prospective buyer is a hotel company with holdings in Arizona and Southern California. The current owner is Winston Management & Investment, Inc. of San Mateo, Calif.” more

Cleaner vertical living without breaking your back

Roomba When the Roomba first came out I scoffed at the silly little “sort of” robot. How could this little disk navigate obstacles, climb rugs, and deal with the flotsam and jetsam of my everyday life. And the big question: who would survive in a fight to the death with my two black labs. Would I find them cowering wide-eyed in the closet with bruises covering their legs? Or would I come home to a new abstract sculpture quivering in its final electrical rigor; my labs planted close by with wires hanging from their mouth? Surprisingly the little programmed vacuum introduced in 2002 has now sold over 2 million units and is going strong. While I still remain resistant to its allure (add cooking, making the bed, and doing laundry to its program and count me in big time!) the Roomba has upgraded almost every year now and 2007 is no exception.

Should height and density limits be increased within the Central City Village?

Express your option when the Core and Heights Subcommittee of the Central City Village Planning Committee meets in just over a week. It’s a changing world out there and perhaps we need to understand that many positive market forces should start us looking up rather than out. Besides, what’s going to supply the shade when all the pedestrians start showing up? Its time for Phoenix to start stickin’ some meat on those infrastructure bones they’ve been assembling. I’ve had my say; now its time for you to have yours.

where:  Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., 4th Floor Lecture Room  map  when: Monday, September 17  time: 6:30-8:30pm  cost: free

As originally posted in Phoenix City Living