Westcor and Signature West Properties are considering plans for 20 acres of prime real estate near Chandler Fashion Center, and one option appears to be high-rise condos.
Signature, chaired by Jeff Cline of Chandler, recently won City Council approval to build a 10-story Renaissance ClubSport Hotel. The top two floors will house 27 luxury condominiums at the site, south of the mall near the Harkins movie theater complex.
Now, Cline is meeting with officials from the city and mall developer Westcor to plan what will be built on the land just south of the hotel. Signature is considering "several development ideas," said Lindsay Hicks, Cline’s spokeswoman.
Mayor Boyd Dunn said he would love to see well-planned lofts on the land.
"The developer has kind of hinted he’s interested in doing that because of the demand he’s had already," Dunn said. "If he did go that route it would be appropriate."
In April, Cline announced his plan to build penthouses atop the hotel and launched an informational Web site. The condos, called Cielo Sky-Rise Residences, will range from 792 to 1,980 square feet and sell for $500,000 to $3 million.
The project’s broker, Scott Graff of Arizona Condo Connection, said those units won’t be available for sale until the end of the year, but he has received a steady stream of calls from interested buyers every week since news of the condos became public.
"The project response has been exciting," he said. "Surprisingly enough, we’re getting people from out of state."
The 20 acres where additional condos could be built is owned by Cline and a family that once farmed the land. Westcor is working with the family to determine how it will be developed.
Dee Ross, Chandler Fashion Center senior property manager, said she thinks Cline will test the waters with his current project before building another next-door.
"I absolutely think residential would be a good fit," she said. "The jury’s out with how well the first group (of condos) goes. How many more are added will be based on their success.
"This is a very wise hotel developer."
The attraction of living near the mall includes nearby shopping and the growing number of restaurants within walking distance, Ross added.
High-rise condos are building momentum in Phoenix and Tempe. Dunn said Chandler is ready to tap into the trend. As the city nears build-out, planners are looking for opportunities to "build up."
Stephanie Paterik
The Arizona Republic
