Fiesta Towers made a dramatic statement about the potential of a reinvigorated Fiesta District with four high-rise glass-and-steel buildings, but the project has turned into a scaled-back Fiesta Lofts proposal.
The 10- to 19-story buildings shrink to three five- and six-story buildings in the latest proposal filed Tuesday. The number of condominium units also drops to 438 from the range of 540 to 850 envisioned in November 2005.
But in a project narrative, the developer argues that the project still will improve the area by building on 4.9 vacant acres, "turning it into a high-quality project."
Developer Thomas Roszak wants to capitalize on the business synergies created by his project and Westcor’s plans to redevelop aging Fiesta Mall.
Westcor’s tentative plans include potential space for sporting goods and electronics retailers and bookstores, in addition to dining and entertainment areas. The plans include a new entrance to the area facing Alma School Road; a renovated food court, which now borders a portion of the vacant Macy’s space; and development of future pads along the Alma School corridor.
Mesa Planning Director John Wesley said the Fiesta Lofts project is required to go through the planning process a second time because it is substantially different from the one previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council.
The project features two five-story buildings; a U-shaped, six-story building; shopping on the ground floor at Grove Avenue and Westwood, east of Fiesta Mall; and recreational amenities on the roof above the penthouse, according to a narrative submitted by the company.
"We’ve just barely seen it, and we haven’t evaluated it," Wesley said. "It’s more consistent with the size of projects we normally see."
Although "the high-rise towers would make more of a statement," he said, the new plan "may be easier to accomplish; it’s better to get something that gets done."
But there were doubts from the start about whether there was a market for so many luxury high-rise condominiums in Mesa, especially with similar towers being built or proposed in Tempe and Phoenix, cities with more restaurants and nightlife.
Roszak, an acclaimed architect, could not be immediately reached for comment.
He has said repeatedly that his project would set its own market in Mesa, where there are no similar condominium offerings.
Jim Walsh
The Arizona Republic
Article can be found: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0405biz-mr-fiesta0405.html
