A little insight into what’s helping to fuel downtown Phoenix’s transformation

From the Arizona Republic, a summary of the build-out of the Phoenix’s Downtown Biotech Campus:

At build-out, the concept calls for nearly 6 million square feet of space, including mid- and high-rise research and education buildings. It even envisions possible changes to Arizona State University’s Mercado complex south of Van Buren Street. That area falls under city ownership in 2024.

Meanwhile, the state’s three public universities plan to ask the state Legislature for $470 million to build the next phase of the campus.

Now:
A. University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.

B. ABC1, a medical-research building used by ASU and UA.

C. Translational Genomics Research Institute.

What’s next:
D. Medical-education building.

E. Research building.

F. Parking and mixed-use building.

Down the road:
G. Multiple research buildings.

H. Hospital/outpatient.

I. Proposed changes to Mercado complex.

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

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