CityScape - Downtown Phoenix

I can only imagine what CityScape has done for this area of Downtown Phoenix. This was my first visit to the former home of Patriots Square Park where RED Development is completing its $900M project. Seeing it in mid-phase of construction offered glimpses of what Downtown Phoenix has accomplished over the last decade. At the completion of the ULI Spring Council Forum on Friday, I had the opportunity to explore the mix of retail, dining, offices and a hotel. When it’s completed the 1.8 million square foot development will have solidified downtown as a premier destination in America’s largest city as measured by land area. RED has transformed this three-block area to include such tenants as CVS Pharmacy, Urban Outfitters and a lively Arrogant Butcher restaurant. The first phase also included and a 27-story office tower with RED’s headquarters. Also, now under-construction is a Kimpton Palomar Hotel. The property benefits from its location next to government offices, Arizona State’s downtown campus, the US Airways Center and Chase Field. I also had the opportunity on Wednesday last week to hear from Phoenix Mayor, Phil Gordon. He explained what this City has accomplished over the last decade in downtown development, including the convention center, the light rail, the sports stadiums, and now increasing residential development. He claimed the water supply in Phoenix will allow the city to triple its population from about 1.5M to 4.5M. The investment the city has made in the downtown area is a great step in that direction, Mayor.