[Don B.]

NOTE: Updated as of October, 2008.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PhoenixskyscraperlistOctober2008.jpg

PROPOSALS, CONSTRUCTION AND RENDERINGS

1. Will Bruder "Vision Project" in downtown - first introduced in 2006 - fantasy.
700+ feet, 55 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/WillBrudervisionskyscraper.jpg

2. Toll Brothers (2 residential towers) near Thomas & Central, proposed 2005 - cancelled.
658 feet, 50 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/TollBrotherstowercopy.jpg

3. SWDG Condominiums - cancelled.
500 feet, 40 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/IMG_3151copy.jpg

4. Park Place, Phase II - office tower - first announced in 2005 - cancelled.
475 feet, 38 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CIMG3729copy.jpg

5. Momentum (Sliver) Tower - rumored/vision
475 feet, 40 stories

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/MomentumTowercopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/MomentumTower-1.jpg

6. Century Plaza, Phases II and III - cancelled.
450 feet, 40 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CenturyPlazasiteplan.jpg

7. W Hotel & Residences next to U.S. Airways Arena - cancelled due to lawsuit.
450 feet, 39 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PhoenixWHotel.jpg

8. Metro (Brophy) Lofts near Highland & Central, proposed 2004 - cancelled as never a real proposal.
434 feet, 42 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/MetroLofts.jpg

9. Cityscape, massive mixed-use project with 4 towers at Central & Jefferson - announced February 2006
418 feet, 36 stories (Phase II - Palomar Tower mixed use - site prep now)
385 feet, 27 stories (Phase I - Wachovia Tower - under construction now)
350 feet, 32 stories (Phases III and IV - on hold for now)
332 feet, 28 stories (on hold)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PDCityScape1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PDCityScape3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PDCityScape2.jpg

10. Copper Pointe - proposed condominium project near 3rd Avenue and Van Buren - cancelled
400 feet, 41 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CopperPointeCondos.jpg

11. KML Project - rumored mixed-use project first announced in 2005. Cancelled.
400 feet, 40 stories

12. Central Park East - approved office tower - under construction.
383 feet, 26 stories

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CentralParkEastrendering.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix/IMG_7991copy.jpg

13. 44 Monroe - luxury condos - Completed October 2008.
380 feet, 34 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/untitledcopy.jpg

14. One Phoenix - 3 tower project on the NW corner of Mcdowell & Central - cancelled.
375 feet, 34 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/OnePhoenix.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/OnePhoenix2.jpg

15. Phoenix Sheraton Convention Center Hotel - completed October 2008.
360 feet, 31 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix/IMG_7980copy.jpg

16. San Carlos Hotel expansion - cancelled.
350 feet, 30 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CIMG0141copy.jpg

17. Omega - new Wallach condo tower just west of Orpheum Lofts - just announced 2007. Cancelled.
318 feet, 32 stories

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/Omega.jpg

18. The Jet - condo tower just west of YMCA on 1st Avenue - cancelled.
300 feet, 30 stories

19. Biltmore Holdings Tower - office project announced in 2005 - cancelled.
264 feet, 22 stories
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/IMG_0715copy.jpg

20. Summit at Copper Square - completed September 2008.
250 feet, 22 stories

--don

[Don B.]

*deleted as project has been revised*

The original proposal was for 50 stories in one project called Central Park East. It was supposed to incorporate part of downtown ASU's residential dorms, independent office and ASU educational space, but the diverse parties couldn't make it work. The project was then divided up into:

1. Central Park East, a 383-foot, 26-story office under construction as of May, 2008;
2. Twin 161-foot, 13-story ASU residential towers, also under construction as of May, 2008; and
3. The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism building, a cool 6-story (but 110 feet tall!) educational structure, also under construction as of May 2008.

Original "massing" study (it's far too hideous to be an actual rendering):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CIMG3656copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/CIMG3655copy.jpg

See the main post above for the renderings of the newer projects.

--don

[phxatty]

That is one ugly buiding. But if it does get built, it makes a nice triangle between Ugly Building, Convention Center Hotel, and BankOne (Chase) Tower.

The views down Central, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets will be nice. If the infill comes on line as proposed, Phoenix will have a decent 9 or 12 square block CBD. While that may not be saying much, for those of us in Phoenix that is progress.

Don - Thanks for posting the article.

[FlyersFan118]

nice filller building, but as the tallest? ugh.

Well, this is good news for Phoenix, since they don't have many high-rises, so congratulations.

[ltsmotorsport]

So, I couldn't see it in there, but does it give a hieght figure, or only that it will be the new tallest?

[PHX31]

The design is pretty hideous, but from reading the article it seems they realize that and have mentioned it could change (I like the two towers separated by an atrium idea.)

I would rather it be built south of Polk Street, to be closer to the Bank One Building, but we'll just have to wait for that to be developed.

I can't wait a year.

What about the height limit again? Or would this be exactly 500'? Does anyone know a typical floor height for a condo tower of this size?

[PHX31]

Actually, reading the article, it says:

"CMX Chief Executive Don Dillon said the condo project's design could be modified into two side-by-side buildings connected by a glass-enclosed vertical atrium."

SO... does that mean this could be TWO new tallest buildings???

I think I'm getting ahead of myself...

[Don B.]

^ Well, it's not likely going to be less than 500 feet, because that would be 10' per floor. If there is going to be some retail and other uses, with spaces between floors, you are probably talking closer to 12' floors for an average, which yields a height of 600 feet. Also note the top portion, which may drive the height up even higher.

The best thing about this project is it may push Trump to build taller downtown just to beat it. An egotistical maniac like him is not going to settle for "second-tallest" in a short city like Phoenix.

Maybe he will build to 700 feet? We can only hope.

I think this building will look better in color, and from better angles.

--don

[Dream'n]

That's quite a big lists of buildings.

[PHX602]

Goddamn that looks horrible. :yuck:

I’m confident that this proposal will get a new design though. Here’s to the Phoenix members who haven't given up faith that our city would finally start to get its shit together. Things are looking very promising in the PHX!

http://img17.echo.cx/img17/9305/champagne5ju.gif :) http://img17.echo.cx/img17/9305/champagne5ju.gif

Oh btw, Don, you forgot to update the Metro lofts to 434 ft again.:D

[plinko]

I'd be shocked if that building was 600'. Look at it. A parking base (NEVER more than 10' floor to floor) and an average condo floor height in the neighborhood of 10'. The retail space at the bottom can be built in a way to take up two parking floors without actually being 2 floors.

Looks like 7-8 penthouse floors with maybe a 13' floor to floor.

Mechanical penthouse on the roof is in the neighborhood of 35'.

560' maybe.

Still, I'll be curious to see two things:

1. How the FAA reacts.
2. How the city deems building height. *I realize that we all count things like mechanical penthouses and elevator wells, but quite often the city doesn't. Quite often cities only count to the roof height BEHIND the parapet. I can't remember if that's how they do it in Phoenix, but I know that's how they do it in Mesa and Tempe. Relevance - This building while maybe topping out at 560' to the penthouse goes into city planning at a mere 525' which is ALOT closer to the 500' cap.

My reaction to the model is one of fear. That looks like something dusted off from 1967 or something. Mike Brady can ya hear me?!?

I've worked in this industry long enough to know though that the finished product will look FAR different than that model.

[Chicago3rd]

It is silly that Phoenix doesn't have taller condos. It has some of the most incredible city lights at night....I have ever seen. That should be worth the extra cost of going up.

[Don B.]

I'd be shocked if that building was 600'. Look at it. A parking base (NEVER more than 10' floor to floor) and an average condo floor height in the neighborhood of 10'. The retail space at the bottom can be built in a way to take up two parking floors without actually being 2 floors.

Looks like 7-8 penthouse floors with maybe a 13' floor to floor.

Mechanical penthouse on the roof is in the neighborhood of 35'.

560' maybe.

Well, even at 560', I'm still as happy as a pig in shit.

:D

--don

[EDDYC]

For the fifth largest city in the country, Phoenix needs to get itself a larger skyline. Its about time they got a new tallest, although the design doesn't look too thrilling. Is Phoenix one of those FAA height restriction cities, or are there just too many NIMBYS obstructing progress?

[Stephenapolis]

Well it will be nice to see some more height finally added to Pheonix.

[InfillJunkie]

Yeh that design is hideous. But way to go PHOENIX!!!

[Upward]

50 stories!!! w00t!!! :banana:


But...

EW!! What a horrible design! Looks like a horrible bastardization of Philadelphia's PSFS Building.

I like the height though :D How can I not? I just hope the design gets revised to something better.

My reaction to the model is one of fear. That looks like something dusted off from 1967 or something. Mike Brady can ya hear me?!?

LOL!!! Indeed... The worst part (well, aside from the massing) is the large section that appears to be windowless with vertical stripes. This is the developmentally-disabled love-child of PSFS and that incredibly ugly green building in Tucson.

I've worked in this industry long enough to know though that the finished product will look FAR different than that model.

Yay! There's hope!

[oliveurban]

We shall see. Very exciting, but yea, not the best looking. Like someone said, as a 'filler', not so bad. As the pinnacle of our skyline, not so good.

I'm in agreement.

[Upward]

Well, maybe it will only be filler until Trump builds a taller one. :D

[Don B.]

Goddamn that looks horrible. :yuck:

I’m confident that this proposal will get a new design though. Here’s to the Phoenix members who haven't given up faith that our city would finally start to get its shit together. Things are looking very promising in the PHX!

http://img17.echo.cx/img17/9305/champagne5ju.gif :) http://img17.echo.cx/img17/9305/champagne5ju.gif

Oh btw, Don, you forgot to update the Metro lofts to 434 ft again.:D

I always keep forgetting to fix that.

Gee, I wonder why? Freudian slip? :)

--don

[Azndragon837]

WOW! Whohoo!!! Finally!!!

Ugh, on a side note, that is one hell of an ugly building. Ugly Tallest Building is what I will call it for now. But the height ROCKS!!!


-Andrew

[PA Pride]

Phoenix has enough tall buildings for one city... What Arizona needs is more 1-2 story suburban housing projects.

[GeorgeLV]

What kind of mafia set-up do they have in Phoenix that you need to "donate" your land to the city for development concessions? Does anybody think sharing parking with college students is a bright idea? Although it would add some much needed height to the Phoenix skyline, I don't think the current proposal is viable. That Phoenix Resort Building looks much nicer.

[Don B.]

^ Somebody smack him, please.

Better yet, spank him with a cactus. It would only be fitting.

Back to your regularly scheduled partying. I'm getting drunk tonight, tee hee!

--don

[GeorgeLV]

Don B., if you want more skyscrapers in Phoenix then you should really question what effects the precedent of "paying off" the city for development rights leads to.

Anyhow, to kill the mood (sorry), here are some observations that leapt out at me: The article makes it clear that the developer has no experience in building large projects. The article plainly states that they're shopping around for an experienced condo developer to come up with the money and actually do the development. The article even notes that they're still waiting for their market research to come in! As I read it, all they have is a site that they no longer own and a really crude model of a building they have neither the money nor the experience to construct. It's a huge leap to declare that Phoenix will get a new tallest based on the current information available. Now if next week you hear about these guys receiving a couple hundred million dollars in financing you have a story.

[mczamalek]

I don't think you have to worry about the design depicted in the model coming to fruition. It appears to be a crude study model for massing purposes, probably one of many lying around the office. When the time came to publish intent someone most likely asked an intern to glue on balcony and other details to give it depth- which he appears to have quite enjoyed.....a bit too much perhaps.

:D

[DracoCaifan]

Dont' like the building, but on the other hand... I love the place... I think it is an ideal location for it plus I can't complaint about the height.. Why should I? Excellent News!!!!!

[Upward]

By the way, even if the building that goes on the site ends up being only half as tall (note the article says "as many as 50 stories"), it will still be a HUGE improvement over the crappy motel currently there. It's absolutely pitiful that something like that exists downtown.

[Eigenwelt]

Thats the nature of sunbelt cities. Quite un-natural if you ask me.

[Don B.]

Article in today's Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0430downtowncondo30.html

Downtown plan calls for 50-story condo tower

Glen Creno and Ginger D. Richardson
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 30, 2005 12:00 AM

Phoenix's condo craze has kicked into overdrive with talk of a 50-story downtown tower that would be the state's tallest building.

The building would go on the site of the Ramada Inn-Downtown, a hotel at 401 N. First St. that opened in 1956. Plans are preliminary, but one idea being kicked around is a 50-story condo tower with space on the site set aside for Arizona State University's journalism school. The ground floor would have retail.

Investors in the project are shopping for a developer, and Donald Trump's name is already in the mix. So is Optima, the Chicago-area company that already is putting up a couple of big condo projects in the Valley.

The investors, a group called City Centre LLC, which owns the Ramada and includes local and out-of-state investors, would donate the land to the city and ASU and keep the development rights.

Downtown Development Director Pat Grady declined to comment on who might ultimately be selected to develop the condominium project, but he expects property owners to make an announcement in the next two to three weeks.

Grady said that it isn't clear at this point whether the site will be home to one or two condominium towers and that the height has not yet been decided. Downtown Phoenix's Bank One Center, at 40 stories, is the state's tallest building.

"Whether it is 25 stories or 50 stories will have to be determined by a market assessment," Grady said. "But it is very exciting."

Trump and development partner Bayrock Group are trying to win approval for a hotel-condo project in the city's ritzy Camelback Corridor near 24th Street and Camelback Road. Optima is building a project near the intersection and planning another north of Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Mark Stanton, Trump and Bayrock's local spokesman, said the group has looked at several downtown Phoenix properties, including the Ramada site. He said the developers are not giving up on their Camelback plans despite some neighborhood opposition. Any downtown project would be a separate endeavor, he said.

"What they are building downtown would be a totally different product," Stanton said. "It's a totally different area."

Nick Wood, a zoning attorney at Snell & Wilmer who represents the Ramada's owners, said construction could start in 18 months.

He said the condo tower could contain 1 million square feet of space, developed at an average cost of $225 to $250 a square foot.

Metro Phoenix is the country's top home-building market, specializing in affordable single-family houses built on the city's fringes. But there is a surge of interest in condos and urban lofts.

And many of these new projects are heading downtown to piggyback on the bioscience buzz and the prospect of an ASU campus in the center city.

Keith Mishkin, condo broker with Cambridge Properties, said the Ramada site is a prime spot in the heart of the planned ASU campus and across the street from a planned Sheraton convention hotel.

The project could spin toward high-end or affordable condos or even some kind of student housing, Mishkin said.

:D

--don

[GeorgeLV]

Don B., well the Downtown Development Director Pat Grady says he expects an announcement of a developer within three weeks. If that happens, we'll eventually have a serious proposal to look at. Until then, I'd only pencil in the journalism school for the site.

[Azndragon837]

Phoenix has enough tall buildings for one city... What Arizona needs is more 1-2 story suburban housing projects.

^Someone get a cactus and run him over with it. Then feed him to the vultures.

Who says we do not have enough tall builidngs for one city?! None of our buildings even crack 490 feet! What we DO NOT need are more 1-2 story suburban housing projects, SPRAWL is killing our beautiful deserts and straining our freeways and infrasturcture. You have either GOT to be joking or just another one of those people who think Phoenix is full of tumbleweeds, Cowboys and Indians and believing Arizona is all desert (which is NOT true).

Phoenix is 98% sprawl and 2% infill. I think we are way overdue on a new tallest, and although the design for this building is ugly, I will take 50-stories ANY day over a 1-2 story suburban housing project.

-Andrew

[Azndragon837]

By the way, I sent a letter to our local paper, The Arizona Republic, announcing to our city to those stupid NIMBYs to BACK-OFF on our tower:

________________________

On Saturday, there was an article announcing plans for a new 50-story condo tower for downtown Phoenix. I would like to support having a new tallest in town. Past letters I have emphasized my support for skyscrapers, and I welcome this news. Now I am waiting for that rush of NIMBYs (Not in My Backyard) folks to oppose this. They are going to argue that:

“I didn't move here to live in a city of canyons. If I wanted Manhattan, I'd move there!”

"It'll block our views of the desert, the sky and the sunsets!"

"Not one penny of my hard-earned tax dollars should go for this.”

Okay, Phoenix will never become NYC. Look at Denver and San Diego; they both have a beautiful tall skyline without being like NYC. Also, the tower will not be tall enough to block our sunset and mountain views, and it isn’t going to follow everyone around. Lastly, this is going to be a private development; Trump and Optima have been mentioned as possible developers. So please support this new tallest, it will be a wonderful addition. We are overdue on a tallest for over thirty years. Besides, downtown is the perfect location.

_________________________


So I hope the letter gets published. Here in Phoenix, a lot oppose any tall development, thinking it will take away our vistas and become NYC. Well, along with that PA Pride dummy and our NIMBYs, they can shove it.

Sprawl is sucking everything away from our city core, and we need to do something soon to limit it's growth. Before this thread in our Interior West forum, we had an inner-city arguement about sprawl, and it surely got everyone's true colors out of them, and I was surprised. Some thought sprawl was a good thing, and it sure looked like they were in par with PA Pride, the NIMBYs and other knuckle-heads who supports raping our deserts and building ugly tracts of cookie-cutter homes that won't even last 25 years.

I support this new tallest. PHOENIX is finally getting what it deserves, and I am happy!

-Andrew

[PHX31]

I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

I'm just looking forward to the first renderings, and more concrete information.

[plinko]

Not to be nitpicky...but if you're going to write a letter in SUPPORT of something, wouldn't it be helpful to actually talk about the benefits of said project vs. just lashing out in a pre-reactionary way?

Talk about the project. Talk about what it does for the city. Talk about the future possibilities it could create.

Don't stoop to their level by calling them out.

And BTW, I realize that it's exciting because the project is potentially a new tallest building for the city, but the fact that we are 'overdue' for a new tallest is ONLY relevant to those of us who pay attention to such things. The average person in Phoenix probably doesn't know what the tallest building in town is anyway.

That being said, I hope they find a developer and a financial team. But honestly I've seen lots of renderings over the years from groups like City Centre, LLC with very little to show for it. Here's hoping that the project has enough viability to attract somebody like Trump or Optima. Anybody remember the Cole Companies? Development options on half a dozen high profile lots in Midtown in the late 1990's using telecom money before the dot bomb. Pretty renderings but no real traction.

At least the market in Phoenix now might be ready for something NEAR this scale.

[GeorgeLV]

That being said, I hope they find a developer and a financial team. But honestly I've seen lots of renderings over the years from groups like City Centre, LLC with very little to show for it.

Exactly. Proposing a 50 floor building with no finacing, or even a zoning approval to point to, is dubious at best. In cities further along in the condo boom they'd be ignored entirely by the local media. Things are in motion for Phoenix to get a new tallest soon if the FAA is willing. I just don't think this is where it will happen.

As for the other candidates, you can bet that if Trump can reach a deal he'd like to make the announcement on the live finale of the Apprentice.

[Azndragon837]

Haha, I think Trump can do that (announce it on a live taping of his show). Plinko, I am just getting myself ahead of the game. I am most likely going to write another letter stating the benefits of the tower, including revitalizing downtown, having ASU involved with it, and having a large influx of residents move in. Also, if this tower is officially announced, it will be a catalyist for other developers to come and build taller condos downtown!

Whohoo! Anyways, I am sticking to my letter, and that is that. Call them out or not, eventually someone is going to gripe against that tower. I just have this long standing grudge against those NIMBYs. I am going to write another letter supporting the tower, but for the time being, let's see who I pissed off, hehehe.

In the meantime, Don, Upward and I are planning a possible forum meet Saturday or sometime soon. I do not think anyone else would even bother to show up like last time, but Don will officially post the time and date.

-Andrew

[GeorgeLV]

Azndragon837, yeah last year he gave the winner the choice of working in New York or Las Vegas (after doing an extended sales pitch for Trump Tower Vegas) so if he has a deal in place I'd imagine he couldn't pass up the promotional opportunity to do the same for Phoenix.

[giallo]

Here in Vancouver we have One Wall Centre which is 48 floors and 491 feet, so I'd imgine this one would just clear the 500 ft. mark.

[mthq]

Phoenix has enough tall buildings for one city... What Arizona needs is more 1-2 story suburban housing projects.

^Someone get a cactus and run him over with it. Then feed him to the vultures.

Who says we do not have enough tall builidngs for one city?! None of our buildings even crack 490 feet! What we DO NOT need are more 1-2 story suburban housing projects, SPRAWL is killing our beautiful deserts and straining our freeways and infrasturcture. You have either GOT to be joking or just another one of those people who think Phoenix is full of tumbleweeds, Cowboys and Indians and believing Arizona is all desert (which is NOT true).

Phoenix is 98% sprawl and 2% infill. I think we are way overdue on a new tallest, and although the design for this building is ugly, I will take 50-stories ANY day over a 1-2 story suburban housing project.

-Andrew

cool down, obviously the guy was joking :rolleyes:

[Upward]

^ Azndragon837 is also jokingly following up on a comment Don made in response to a more serious criticism.

[Wheelingman04]

I definately don't like the building. I hope the rendering is off. Phoenix does needs a new tallest though.

[Upward]

I think (hope) that the model is just something that was lying around (as was suggested, a massing model from the 60's) and not representative of anything other than the overall size of the finished product. It seems unlikely that, with the developer yet determined, this would be anything close to a final design.

[Don B.]

^ Agreed. There is also no color to the renderings, which helps make it austere and most unattractive.

Let us not prejudge this project until better renderings are made available.

:)

--don

[jcathens]

Thats the nature of sunbelt cities. Quite un-natural if you ask me.


well then ^


great news Phoenix

[Azndragon837]

Hehe, sorry. I kinda get carried away if someone makes a bad remark about Phoenix. We have been getting a sea of criticism since this forum began, and knowing myself, I kinda get a lil edgy at times when remarks, even JOKES, are made about Phoenix. And so if anyone makes a remark about sprawl, or our skyline, hehe, make sure a "just kidding" is attached, otherwise, some people might take it a lil too seriously, including myself. So I apologize for my lil rash of bitterness. :-)


-Andrew

[Azndragon837]

By the way, the Arizona Republic published my letter today. A quick turnaround, the fact that I submitted this only two days ago.

Here is the link to the letter:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0503tuelets031.html

Here is the link to the thread in the Interior West Forum:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=75025


Whohoo! I am surprised that they published it at such speed. Anyways, I am waiting for the influx of responses to my letter, so I am keeping an eye out for those damn NIMBYs.

-Andrew

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

if NIMBY doesn't like it, they shouldn't live in the city PERIOD. Move to the suburbs! So one place in Arizona would have tall buildings, drive 10 miles and then look at the sunset! I live in a city and have no problems seeeing the sunset.

The only logical point is the use of tax dollars being used to fund projects against the majority disapproval of the public. i know this because Pittsburgh just built 2 new stadiums w/ out the public necessarily wanting it. We haven't even finnished paying for the one we knocked down yet!! WTF!! (the area is consequently improved for the most part though - perhaps they should try a little thing called engineering and maybe not build/rebuild things right at river level!) Now the Penguins want a new stadium. I say the teams should use their own funding for these stadiums & have to a least be a good team to deserve one (unless it's decrepit)

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

however i don't really care for the building either. all condo buildings always turn out a certain way. i can't stand the "stacking effect" on some condos, you see all the levels/porches going all the way up - it gives the building a lack luster appearance. I guess i'm just not a huge fan of some residential urban housing...

I kinda like the bowed-out sides and the spires but the rest is meh~

[TalB]

It could have been better, but it it give Phoenix its new tallest, I can't say no to this.

[Upward]

I want to state again that we can be pretty sure the final building will not look like those models. There's no way the design would be finalized without a developer having been contracted.

[Azndragon837]

That letter was meant to poke fun at those damn NIMBYs. They expect nothing more than desert vistas and sprawling, cheap homes here in PHX. They are afraid of new tall buildings that will "block thier views" of the mountains and sunsets. Whatever, my ass. The buildings aren't gonig to follow them around, and if they want desert views, move farther out. There is room for both a skyscraper skyline and mountain vistas.

Bring those NIMBYs on!

-Andrew

[phxatty]

Here is what is on the Phoenix City Council agenda for May 11th regarding this project. Those interested, and with the time, may want to drop by the meeting to learn more.



ITEM 29
DISTRICT 8
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH CITY CENTRE LLC FOR NORTHEAST CORNER OF 1ST STREET AND POLK STREET




Ordinance S-31933 authorizing the City Manager or his designee to take title to property and to enter into a development agreement with City Centre L.L.C. and any other agreements necessary to facilitate development of the property generally bounded by 1st Street to 2nd Street and Taylor to Polk Streets for the Arizona State University Downtown Campus and private sector development.



City Centre L.L.C. will convey the entire property, currently the Ramada Inn, to the City at no cost. City Centre L.L.C. will also provide a Phase I environmental assessment of the site acceptable to the City.





The City will convey development rights to City Centre L.L.C. to develop approximately 750,000 to one million square feet of condominium towers, (subject to further market assessment), structured parking, ground retail and amenities.



The City will retain an approximately 35,000 square foot development pad on the site for the development of up to 250,000 square feet of academic, academic support and ground floor retail space for the ASU Downtown Campus. City Centre L.L.C. will be responsible for preparing the site for development. Construction of the City/ASU development which will occur on the City's schedule.



City Centre L.L.C. will construct and provide up to 200 parking spaces to serve ASU facility needs. ASU will retain the option to lease 200 of such parking spaces on an annual basis at $480 per space.



The public-private development concept achieves a variety of City objectives such as the development of the ASU Downtown Campus, the creation of street level retail, and downtown housing. The proposed business agreement would save the City significant land acquisition costs.



Affirmative Action

The subject organization is eligible to do business with the City of Phoenix until April 27, 2007, by its compliance with the affirmative action requirements of the City Code, Chapter 18, Article V.



This item is recommended by Ms. Sculley and the Downtown Development Office.

[Atomik Punk]

Hey, great news for Phoenix! Yo, Phoenix peeps, I read Trump's heading your way with a tower, any info to elaborate on this?

http://www.trump.com/main.htm

[Upward]

^ Unfortunately, that specific Trump project was block by stupid NIMBYs. :(

[Don B.]

^ Actually, it has not been formally rejected yet. The full council is likely to approve it, because they want Trump to build downtown as well.

--don

[Upward]

Ah, good to know. :)

[Nightsky]

Very strange design. It is hard to like it.

[Aldebaran]

I'm so happy! Phoenix is finally getting a new taller!!!! :D yay!..

but ..... em.... i dont like the design :( ... ooh well..

and another thing is that is going to kill that beautiful view that the revolving restaurant of the Hyatt hotel has of the buildings in Central Ave...
look...

http://img142.echo.cx/img142/8753/centralskyline4iu.jpg
the red part is the location (aprox) of this new super tall :)
but who cares ? :D I want that skyscraper built!
cheers! :)

[Azndragon837]

Screw that Hyatt building, that is by far (along with the Crowne Plaza Hotel) the ugliest major hotel in the area. I personally like the Hotel San Carlos.

By the way, if any of your guys want to come, I am going to that meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 3pm. If anyone would like to join me, and then dinner afterwards? Get back to me.

-Andrew

[Upward]

Yeah! Rock on! Unfortuantely, I don't think I can make it, because the Barrett Honors College convocation is that night at ASU.

[Don B.]

Screw that Hyatt building, that is by far (along with the Crowne Plaza Hotel) the ugliest major hotel in the area. I personally like the Hotel San Carlos.

By the way, if any of your guys want to come, I am going to that meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 3pm. If anyone would like to join me, and then dinner afterwards? Get back to me.

-Andrew

Let me see how the work day goes. If it gets busy, I won't be able to get away. If it is slow that day, then, by all means.

:D

--don

[Don B.]

More news on the project:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/05/09/story2.html

Relevant quotes:

* Don Zeleznak said the market for high-rise condos is deeper than many realize because of changes in the Valley's demographics.

* The proposal's 50-story height could change and may be higher, depending on design input from Phoenix and ASU, Vento said.

* Vento said he plans to begin interviewing architects with national and international reputations in the next several weeks.

* "We hope to have a contract in the next several days," Rakow said. "This will change the skyline of Phoenix, and we plan to bring in a significant architect who will be identified with the building."

* Ryan Zeleznak said the company has about 110 reservations for the 176 condos in the 34-story 44 Monroe condo building at First Avenue and Monroe Street. The Weitz Co. expects to start construction in June after workers finish demolishing what was a 10-story office building on the site.

Looking good! :)

--don

[Xeelee]

hey man that is good news for your town. :)

[Azndragon837]

Ohhh, I like that Biz Journal article. That would rock if the design is gonna be taller!

-Andrew

[Upward]

That's amazing new that it might be higher than 50 stories! I had been assuming that 50 stories was the tallest we could possibly expect to see it, but if there's potential for it to be taller, then it seems more likely that it will actually reach 50. Imagine if it was 60! Having even one 60-story tower would give a major boost to the reputation of the the Phoenix skyline. There are plenty of cities without anything that tall. Granted, there are plenty of office buildings with fewer floors that would be taller than this building (since it'll be mostly residential), but in the minds of the general public, 60 stories sounds more impressive than say, 48 (even if the respective heights are 600' and 700'). Generally, I see 50 stories as a critical point in skyscraper height, where anything with 50 or more is in a different class.

[Jasonhouse]

Any further word on Phoenix development?

[Don B.]

^ Nothing new, Jasonhouse. Us Phoenicians keep our eyes peeled for any news. All's quiet on the western front. Could be a good...or bad thing.

Time will tell. Our fingers are crossed, bated breaths held.

--don

[Don B.]

See first post in thread.

--don

[Jasonhouse]

Man, I'm really getting good at this shit!

I plugged your post into the beginning of the thread, so that now the list is at the front, and it's in your name, so you can keep it updated if you like. :)

Very sweet spreadsheet/list man... Top fucking notch!

[AJphx]

Don, there is a large excavated hole in the center of the downtown core. What building is that for?

also the civic center expansion looked impressive. It appears to be topped out already, not much up but the steel structure, though.

[Don B.]

To AJphx:

Where is this hole you mention? Can you see it in the photo below?

If it is west of Central on Monroe, it is 44 Monroe.

--don

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Las%20Vegas%20June%202005/IMG_9432downtown.jpg

[AJphx]

I don't remember the streets precisely, but it was just north of the USBank tower.

from your list, 44 monroe would seem the likely answer though.

[Don B.]

That is 44 Monroe. Soon, 34 stories of goodness will rise there. :)

--don

[Don B.]

A 35-story condo project has been proposed for the parking lot near the Viad (Dial) Tower in central Phoenix. This is very preliminary:

Heard through the grapevine: A San Diego developer is buying the surface parking lot at the Viad Center, Central and Palm Ln. The preliminary plan involves 330 condos in 35 stories, 2 parking levels below ground and 4 above ground. The architectural rendering shows a tapering building. much unlike the bulky Viad Building.

Dial Corporation (the parent of the spin-off Viad) originally planned two identical towers set perpendicular to one another. The first tower was completed in 1991 but Dial could not find an anchor tenant for a companion tower and the plan languished. The new tower would have the same height as the 2nd Dial tower, which preserves the zoning variance granted by the City of Phoenix . The plan is being floated before neighborhood groups to gauge possible support and opposition.

The developer will take his plan next to the Central Village Planning Commission in September.

Source:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=81004

--don

[ninja]

There is only one high rise that is being built right now

[ninja]

haha, i guess this thread is dead just like downtown Phoenix.

[Don B.]

^ Actually, downtown Phoenix has a few high-rises under construction now.

See the first post in the thread.

--don

[ninja]

wow that is shitty

[Don B.]

^ Well, thanks for playing.

--don

[Halovet]

The first thing you notice about PHX is the Skyline or lack there of. This Would be awesome for A city of 250,000 but for a World Class City and Top 5 US, no way.:no: What's exciting, is that the party's just starting. They can look at what other cities have done, discard that which does not work, and expand on that which has been successful. PHX is going to be onf FANTASTIC Place to be, and I for one can't wait. NOW BRING ON THOSE TOWERS.:banana: :scraper: :banana:

[AZheat]

Don B.
Thanks for organizing your information so well on Phoenix projects. I hope many of these proposals will actually be built. I lived in Seattle for many years, then Denver for a few and I've lived here in the Phoenix area for just three years. For as large as Phoenix has become its skyline is certainly not impressive.
I have a question for you or anyone else. What exactly is the FAA building height restriction for downtown Phoenix. I've noticed that planes coming into Sky Harbor Airport pass very low over downtown.
Thanks,
Bob R.

[Don B.]

^ Wow, welcome to the forum!

I didn't notice your post before now.

I've been told that generally, the FAA height limit for downtown Phoenix is 500 feet. However, it is logical to assume that the limit goes down as you move east of Central Avenue, closer to the runways at Sky Harbor. Conversely, to the west of Central, the FAA would likely have less of a problem with a 500-700 foot tower, depending on where it is situated.

In addition, I've been told that the FAA cap only extends north as far as Roosevelt Street. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

In addition to the FAA restrictions, the City of Phoenix also has strict height limits. Generally, the entire city is around 56 feet tall, although high-rise zoning exists around much of the downtown and midtown cores along Central Avenue. I think, in Phoenix, anything over 250 feet requires extensive neighborhood meetings and a variance granted by the city. Some areas around the Biltmore have special 140-foot zoning in place.

In other news:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84166

38-story, 480-foot tower proposed for downtown Phoenix

:)

--don

[Patrick]

Some nice projects here.

[oliveurban]

+ Trump International Hotel and Residences Phoenix. Finally approved by the city council after being completely redesigned, and shortened:

Website: Trump Int'l Phoenix (http://www.trumpintlphoenix.com)

The original design:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/TrumpTowerPhoenix.jpg

The new and approved design:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/trumpphx5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/trumpphx2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/trumpphx4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/trumpphx1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Phoenix/trumpphx3.jpg

*I like the original design much better.

[colemonkee]

Bah! The original design was much better.

[Don B.]

^ Totally agreed, but we are so used to lowest common denominator stuff here - I'll take it. Better than the alternative, a nearly vacant two story POS building.

--don

[urban_encounter]

Don,


Please forgive me if it has already been stated, but what part of Phoenix is the Trump Hotel proposed for?

[Don B.]

deleted

--don

[Don B.]

deleted

--don

[Jasonhouse]

Nice pic... reminds me of the Westshore area in Tampa... Wall to wall office campuses and parking.



btw, does anyone remember who the 'W' brand belongs to? It's Marriott, isn't it?

[Don B.]

^ Thanks.

W Hotels Worldwide is part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. hotel management chain. Starwood owns Sheraton as well. Based on this site, I think Marriott is a completely separate company:

http://marriott.com/corporateinfo/glance.mi?WT_Ref=mi_left

--don

[Stephenapolis]

In other news, a 39-story, 450-foot hotel+residential tower has been announced today by the owners of the Phoenix Suns. The hotel will be a W Hotel, and is slated to open by 2008 next to America West Arena in downtown Phoenix.

Rendering:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/PhoenixWHotel.jpg

--don
That is a nice design.

[mthq]

forgive me for I haven't been around here for a while -- but wasn't the Trump project cancelled?

[Don B.]

^ Nope. There was concern the city council may not approve the project, but obviously that didn't happen.

--don

[mthq]

ah okay good to hear :)

[Don B.]

Twin-475 foot towers announced (possibly):

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=87946

To give you an idea what all of this would do to our downtown skyline:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/New%20Phoenix%20projects/IMG_2858copy.jpg

:)

--don

[colemonkee]

Wow, that would be great if you guys got all of that.

[kaneui]

I was told in another forum that the city of Phoenix has made an agreement with the FAA to limit high-rises in the CBD (as defined by Copper Square?) to 500 feet....has anyone else heard that?

[Don B.]

^ This isn't new news. Phoenix has always had a 500 foot cap over downtown because of the FAA.

Downtown Phoenix sits at an altitude of about 1,090 feet above MSL (mean sea level). The FAA has the lower emergency flight path restriction for flights coming to or from the west, where downtown sits, at 1,600 MSL. Hence, the so-called cap. I know this because on my recent helicopter trip over downtown Phoenix, the pilot was warned to stay below 1,600 MSL as he flew under the flight paths at Sky Harbor.

Understand that the planes are actually much higher than this when they pass over downtown, but this emergency issue is so pilots have a chance to recover, especially if they lose an engine on takeoff.

Phoenix could approve zoning for a taller tower, but the fear is that the FAA would then limit the weight of planes on takeoff, especially during the hot summer months, and that could adversely affect the airlines and the airport, which is considered Phoenix's golden goose.

Note that further north along Central, theoretically the FAA wouldn't care how tall a building was, so Phoenix still could get a 600 to 700 footer someday, assuming the lunimbys didn't kill it.

--don