Last Chance to Join the North Scottsdale Tour

October 17, 2008 – 8:57 am

We still have a few seats left for tomorrow’s tour. At 10:00 am, Saturday, October 18th, we’re boarding a bus to visit Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons, The Landmark at Kierland and Astragal. These are fantastic communities in a top notch area and are well worth checking out. Believe it or not this North Scottsdale area is among the most “urban” pedestrian friendly areas in the entire Valley. The architecture is sexy and the views gorgeous.

If you want to join us visit www.WeKnowUrban.com/Tour/ for more information. Be sure to register and pay soon so that your seat is reserve. Hope to see you tomorrow. W

Will Daly | High Rise Condos, Lofts, Scottsdale, Tour | Comments (1)

Call Me a Dork

October 15, 2008 – 9:06 pm
Test run heading south just past 44 Monroe Condominiums (blue/gray tower to the right) and roughly even with Orpheum Lofts (off screen to the left)

Test run heading south just past 44 Monroe Condominiums (blue/gray tower to the right) and roughly even with Orpheum Lofts (off screen to the left)

OK, so I may be a total dork but I am truly excited about the coming of the light rail.

Many blog posts say that the rail is a waste of money and “too little too late” but I think they’re wrong.

It is true that the light rail will NOT change the face of commuting here in the Valley, at least not any time soon. But it will begin to re-connect this sprawling city. And it will finally give us a focal point for the investment of time, energy, and money, something sorely missing as our city with no boudaries just grew out and out and out.

It’s my contention that all major vertical cities have geographic boundaries, usually water, that force them vertical. These boundaries not only naturally and truly limit sprawl by literally containing or preventing it but also encourage density because they offer desireable and FINITE places to live. Because people are drawn to the water it encourages building up instead of out.

We are beginning to see the same along the light rail.

New businesses are opening and people are buying condos and real estate near the tracks. With these new businesses and increased population we will see more of the same. The dynamic will feed on itself and growth and appreciation will ensue. It only make sense.

I love the idea of railing to Tempe and enjoying an ASU game or other event again. I had long ago snubbed most such activities because I didn’t like dealing with the traffic, the lack of parking, AND the idea that I couldn’t have a nip or two while partying for fear of getting a DUI or hurting somebody.

Also, (and this may be the really dorky part) being a native of Phoenix it’s a big deal to see the beginning of what all other major cities have; a transit system. I know, I know, I know, I already said that this won’t change the face of commuting but it is the first step.

At the rate we were going (no where) we would NEVER have had any sort of commuting system if it hadn’t been for this rail. It might take another twenty or thirty years but I’m hopeful that before I die I’ll see something that actually moves significant numbers of people to and from work, school, errands and socializing.

If only Scottsdale had agreed to join in…

Will Daly | Light Rail, Phoenix, Tempe | Comments (3)

North Scottsdale High Rise and Loft Condo Tour

October 9, 2008 – 12:52 pm

Our next tour is fast approaching and we are close to selling out.

At 10:00am, Saturday, October 18th, we’ll board a bus for our first tour of urban living in North Scottsdale. I know it sounds like an oxymoron but believe it or not there are a number of very cool and very dense communities in the North Valley.

Join us as we visit Astragal, Plaza Lofts at Kierland, and Kierland Landmark while discussing other hot properties like The Quater, One Scottsdale, and more. You’ll see a lot of fantastic properties, learn a lot, have a great time, AND it’s cheap. To learn more go to our condo tour page. Be sure to register soon if you want to come as we really do sell out. W

Will Daly | High Rise Condos, Scottsdale, Tour | Comments (0)

Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Now Open

October 7, 2008 – 9:39 pm

On Wednesday morning, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, accompanied by city officials joined executives of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide to celebrate the grand opening of the mammoth, 1000-key hotel. Starwood, one of the largest hotel owners and operators in the world, runs the Sheraton brand, as well as the new W Hotel in Scottsdale, and the nearly complete Aloft Hotel in Tempe.

Mayor Gordon was very enthusiastic about the completion of the 31-story tower and its addition to the constantly growing skyline. If you weren’t aware, the City of Phoenix actually owns the hotel, as it was part of a tandem deal with the Phoenix Convention Center Renovation.

The hotel will compliment the 2+ million square feet in the convention center with its 1000 rooms for the high volume events and trade shows. Rooms are starting in the low $200’s per night and there wont be any residential condominiums in this hotel. The hotel + for-sale penthouses trend does not appear yet in this tower, as it continues elsewhere in the valley at the W in Scottsdale and originally at the Le Meridien in Tempe, both run by Starwood. Starwood backed out of plans for the Tempe Town Lake site, but Hyatt recently jumped on board with Suncor at Hayden Ferry Lakeside. The Hyatt could potentially have residential units overlooking the lake, but it is not set in stone yet, especially in this credit crisis.

Mitch | Phoenix, Tempe, What's New | Comments (0)

Scottsdale Condos Scrapped for Hotel

October 4, 2008 – 10:08 pm

Earlier we had written that a very high end condo community was scheduled to be built in the heart of the water front district in downtown Scottsdale. The site is located west of Scottsdale Road, south of Camelback Road, on the south bank of the canal just west of the pedestrian bridge.

Well, plans have changed.

The City of Scottsdale has approved new plans to scrap the condos in exchange for building a 125 room extended stay Element Hotel. Element is a Westin product and a member of the Starwood Hotel chain and is reportedly an environmentally friendly hotel with full kitchens and guest rooms.

Will Daly | In-Fill Developments, Scottsdale | Comments (2)

Tour Plaza Lofts at Kierland…and others

October 2, 2008 – 1:14 pm

Join us 10:00am, Saturday, October 18th, for our High Rise and Loft Condo Tour of North Scottsdale.

Each month a bus load of urban enthusiasts and the WeKnowUrban team board a bus and check out the hottest high rise condos and coolest lofts in various areas around Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. During the next North Scottsdale Tour we will visit Plaza Lofts at Kierland, Kierland Landmark, Astragal and other fantastic communities. While touring we discuss current market conditions, what is going on in the high rise and loft condo market specifically, and what new projects are in the works.

To learn more about the North Scottsdale tour visit our condo tour page. If you wish to join us be sure to register and pay soon as we do sell out. Hope to see you October 18th.

Will Daly | High Rise Condos, Scottsdale, Tour | Comments (0)

CityNorth Now Renting Residential Units

October 1, 2008 – 10:26 pm

The much awaited project CityNorth, which is planning a “Hollywood Style” opening in November just announced a portion of the existing residential condominiums in Phase I will become rentals. Phase I includes several shops and restaurants, in addition to the 99 residential units.

The multi-billion dollar mixed-use development is nearing completion of its first phase in North Phoenix, just north of the Loop 101 and west of 56th Street. The developers also announced this week that Pioneer Stores USA, the electronic giant will open its 2nd U.S. store at CityCenter of CityNorth. The remaining phases will include hotels, major retail, offices and more residential condos with a 8+ year build-out. A majority of the retail, which includes a Nordstrom, Macy’s and Arizona’s first Bloomingdale’s, will break ground next year and open in late 2010. Also part of the North Phoenix/Scottsdale raw land corridor, CityNorth is the first to open between its rivals to the east, Palisene and One Scottsdale.

Out of the current 99 condominiums, 60 of them will be initially available for lease, while the remaining 39 units are still for sale, starting at $465,000 up to more than $1 million. The rentals will virtually offer the same package of amenities that a buyer would get, but renters will sign either a six, nine or 12-month lease instead of a deed. Renters can expect to pay around $2 per square foot per month, according to the developer. Analysts believe that number is high for this market, where the 750 SF, one bedroom apartment would rent for $1,500 per month.

Check out their website for more info: citynorthaz.com

Mitch | In-Fill Developments, Market Update, Phoenix, Rentals | Comments (4)

North Scottsdale High Rise and Loft Condo Tour

September 30, 2008 – 7:23 pm

Our next tour will be held Saturday, October 18th, from 10:00am to roughly 1:15pm and will cover three great communities in North Scottsdale.

Currently we are scheduled to visit Plaza Lofts at Kierland, Kierland Landmark, and Astragal. We will also discuss current status of Scottsdale Quarter, One Scottsdale, Palisene, and City North. (Note: yes we know that several of these communities are actually located in Phoenix but for the sake of simplicity we had to pick a direction so we’re calling it the North Scottsdale Tour :-) .

To learn more about the tour and/or to register visit our Condo Tour page. We hope to see you October 18th.

Will Daly | High Rise Condos, Scottsdale, Tour | Comments (0)

Hyatt to accompany Aloft for first hotels on Tempe Town Lake

September 30, 2008 – 10:12 am

Earlier this week, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman announced that a Hyatt hotel will replace the Le Meridian planned for Hayden Ferry Lakeside. This coming just a few weeks after the public learned of Starwood’s departure from Tempe. While it has been nearly a year since employees of Starwood and Suncor were aware of the change it only became public knowledge a month ago. It would have been nice to have a Le Meredian hotel, which would really put Tempe on an international scale. Fortunately, the $100+ million project will still be a high-end hotelier, Hyatt Regency.

The Hyatt, which will offer 240 hotel rooms, will also come equipped with 24 residential condominiums, a 4,000 SF spa and 13,000 SF of meeting space. Studies conducted over the last couple years revealed that Downtown Tempe has a shortage of hotel rooms. While several hotels are slowly sprouting around Mill Avenue, the Hyatt will be the second hotel to come to Tempe Town Lake after another Starwood hotel called Aloft opens in January.

Aloft is a new concept from the international hotel giant, which features a modern design and innovative technology throughout. Upon entering the hotel, guests will sign in using similar systems that airports have, where you can pick your own room and the computer gives you your room key. Aloft is highly visible from the Loop 202 highway, but tucked behind Grigio and Northshore from Tempe Town Lake. Tempe has been waiting nearly a decade for a new hotel and will warmly welcome the tax revenue both hotels will produce for the city.

Mitch | Tempe, What's New | Comments (3)

Are some condo projects in Tempe surviving? Apparently So.

September 29, 2008 – 1:42 pm

While Centerpoint sits motionless, several smaller developments around Downtown Tempe are on normal pace. Three projects, all within a short walk to Mill Avenue are gradually changing the urban fabric of the city. Skyscrapers make city skylines look great and are efficient in squeezing people into small footprints, but for some, an urban townhouse might be more your style.

Check out these projects that are true infill developments and will contribute to the walkable, neighborhood feel that the land-locked City of Tempe is striving for.

Farmer Avenue Lofts:
Location: 3rd St. & Farmer Ave., Tempe
Units: 18
Square Footage: 2,440 – 2,610
Price: $745,235 – $768,600
Details: Each unit is three stories with a 2-car garage and either two or three bedrooms. Some units are zoned for live/work, perfect for attorneys, artists, architects, to name a few.

675 South
Location: Roosevelt & 6th St.,
Units: 12
Square Footage: 10 units at 1,573 SF & 2 Live Works Units at 1,641 SF
Price: Starting at $419,000, sales being Spring 2009
Details: Very contemporary design on inside and out, with European style kitchens. Units are clean, sleek and efficiently designed using sustainable materials and innovative features. Constructions is under way and sales are expected to start Spring 2009.

Spence Avenue Townhomes
Location: Rural Rd. just South of Apache Blvd., Tempe
Units: 22
Square Footage: 1000-1800
Price: “In the range of $249,000”
Details: A great location for ASU students or faculty, seven units have elevators. Developer plans to break ground by the end of the year and have the first units ready for the beginning of Fall Semester for ASU.

Mitch | High Rise Condos, In-Fill Developments, Tempe, What's New | Comments (0)
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