Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieFoos
Actually, they did add a stage right in the middle with tables and chairs around it. The whole renovation is pretty nice looking (I would actually term it more of a re-design than a renovation). They have added a lot of features such as the valet and the new entrance through the valet area, elevators extending to the 3rd level (which I didn't even know existed until the project started), added trees in the shopping plaza and removed some hand railings and installed glass barriers. They are moving towards the upstairs portion of the project. It will be interesting to see what the have planned for the 2nd level.
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I'm baaaccck... j/k, two-three novels and I'll go away:
Everything you noted are superficial design tweaks to a severely flawed site plan and circulation that has failed every design tweak it has undergone since 1990 because no owner has yet to make changes that address the major issues of:
1) inward-facing retail when surrounded now by Herberger, Sheraton, PBC, and ASU
2) massive AMC, parking garage, and office towers that are again eyesores at the ground level
3) having to convert the 2nd floor of retail into office space without a permanent mix of residential/hotel uses
The 2nd and 3rd floors of the Garden Pavilion are office space; elevators and the electronic signage planned on the exterior may look nice, but having 2-story anchors like an H&M, etc., would be much better. The hotel and residential will do little other than add permanent feet; both have been designed with their butts to the street and with little to no additional retail. As mentioned, the remaining retail space is quite limited and likely will never be more than casual/fast-casual dining to support programming and office workers.
The AMC does not function in an urban setting connected to the Center, so the less extensive dream would have:
Basic Updates
Street-fronting addition to L-shaped retail.
Taylor Mall extended for at least pedestrians and bikes through to 5th Street; something like 'the quad' at Scottsdale Quarter with a linear park in the center and retail added to the L building and the AMC.
Crazy Ideas
A more ambitious approach would have replaced the 3rd Street L-portion with 2 floors retail + 3 floors office + 5 floors residential;
Phase 2 would replace the Taylor Mall portion with 2 floors retail + 6 floors creative office.
In both, the interior Garden becomes a Beer Garden with signature Brewery and AZ88-type restaurant in the semi-circle.
Sean- yes, the sq footage is too small to serve as a true mall but an urban theatre and better-designed retail catering to ASU students and Conventioneers was not unfathomable. But, when you consider the extra retail possible along 3rd, wrapping the AMC, on the ground floor of parking, etc., the size jumps quite a bit.
I think the issue, beyond design, is the location at the far north-end of what is the entertainment district. AZ Center, Colliers, Block 23, Cityscape, TSA, and Luhrs could have worked with each other. Instead, they all have failed or become food courts essentially.
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or maybe it’s just on the north side of building and can’t tell?
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