I was glad to read in today’s Phoenix Business Journal that because ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is funded by a bond program, it is largely immune from state budget cuts. In fact, this campus is growing - nursing, nutrition, education, and social work degree programs are moving downtown as well as other administrative functions. Today, we have 4,400 students downtown and plans to grow to 15,000 students by 2020 is on-track.
By the way, Downtowners are enjoying three new eating establishments on the ground floor of the Walter Cronkite Journalism School. We are also enjoying their great lectures that are open to the public. Thanks, ASU. As you grow, things keep getting better and better for the rest of us!
I met Janet Echelman tonight. What a gentle, talented lady. Her new air sculpture debuts in Downtown Phoenix this March - first the netting and then the lighting. She announced the name of her new sculpture tonight - Her Secret is Patience, from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s line, Adopt the pace of nature…her secret is patience.”
This is a preview of Janet Echelman’s work. Enjoy!
Everyday I walk 1/2 block from my loft to the construction site of Civic Space Park at Fillmore and 1st Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. I peek through the canvas-draped construction fence and watch the busy activity. I am astounded how beautiful it is becoming - the trees are planted and are starting to bloom, the rolling landscape is shaping up, and the historic building is looking mighty chic. The icing on the cake will be the dressing of the blue rings suspended in the sky. Sky Bloom will soon sport 600 lbs of netting - can’t wait to see the final effect!
(By the way, the artist of Sky Bloom, Janet Echelman, is here in town and will be speaking at the Burton Barr Phoenix Library tonight. Join me there!)
I live at the Chester Place condos in the Roosevelt Historic District of Downtown Phoenix. Sunday morning I walked a few blocks, boarded the light rail, and headed up Central Avenue to have brunch at Switch. They offer simple and delicious breakfast dishes (which they are happy to convert to vegetarian!) and they keep the coffee flowing. The $1 cocktails and great atmosphere definitely add to the mix. The real delight, however, was their new boutique Farmers Market that they host every Sunday. Local baked goods, homemade soap, and a small florist in town all contribute to this small but useful market.
There are certainly a lot of great brunch spots in Downtown Phoenix but Switch is taking the extra step to extend and support the local community. Kudos!
Lorna Park View Estates are located at 3rd Avenue and Culver in the Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Historic District. These ten, two-story traditional loft-style townhomes have 2 bedrooms and a loft den/office with a square footage of 1518. Each has a 2 car garage. Built in 2000, Lorna Park View Estates overlooks Deck Park (hense, its name) and is close to the light rail and Burton Barr Central Library.
To view more photos of Lorna Park View Estates, click here.
Landmark on Central condos are located on the light rail at Central Avenue and Camelback in Downtown Phoenix. This 17-story high-rise condominium tower has 280 single level condo units ranging in size from 440 to 1133 sq ft. Prices of these studios, one- and two-bedrooms begin at less than $50,000.
Landmark at Central is an eclectic mix of modern urban and vintage 1960s decor with spectacular north and south city views, floor-to-ceiling windows in each room, crown molding, and exposed ductwork in the kitchen and bath. The community has a fitness room, clubroom with kitchen, movie theater, large swimming pool with BBQs, roof-top Sky Lounge with pool table, flat-screen TV, outdoor fireplace, doorman, and underground valet parking. The original Landmark was built in 1964 and was converted to contemporary units in 2005.
To view more photos of the Landmark on Central, click here.
Metro Manor condos are located at 19th Avenue and Colter in Downtown Phoenix. This development features twenty-six, two-story condominium townhomes with one 1,850 square foot floor plan. Each condo features two master bedroom suites, a sundeck, an office cubby, reading nook, 2-car garage, and a walled rear yard. The community offers a heated 50’ double lap and play pool with adjoining beach, a spa, picnic tables, and misting system. There also have two on-site orchards of Myers lemon and pink grapefruit trees and a 6’ bronze sculpture in the traffic circle – “Self-Made Man” by Bobbie Carlyle. Metro Manor is on the light rail and is just a short walk from Spectrum Mall and Harkins Theater. Prices are in the mid $300,000s.
Renaissance Park condos are located on 7th Street and Washington in Downtown Phoenix. These one- and two-bedroom, single-story and 2-story condo units range in size from 707 sq ft to 1720 sq ft with prices starting in the low $200,000s. This gated community was built in 1985 and features lush landscaping and two swimming pools. Renaissance Park is on the light rail and is across the street from the Arizona Science Center, Heritage Park, and the medical school.
To view more photos or Renaissance Park condos, click here.
Construction is complete and ready for move-in at Portland 38 Condos in Downtown Phoenix. Located at Portland and 7th Street in the Downtown Phoenix Arts District these 3-story one and two bedroom condominium units range in size from 1217 to 1550 sq ft. Prices are $229,000 to $344,000
Portland 38 condo units have polished concrete floors, concrete block walls, natural wood beam ceiling, oversized heavy commercial grade windows, 18 foot ceiling in living room, upgraded stainless steel Miele appliances, Bosch washer & dryer, quartz countertops, European maple cabinets, Mosiac unglazed bathroom tile, and designer lighting. It has a 40-foot pool, reflection garden & barbeque.
Portland Place condos are located in the Roosevelt Historic District at Portland and 2nd Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. This wonderful development is on a tree-lined street ending at Portland’s Restaurant and it overlooks the Deck Park and the Japanese Friendship Garden. It is within a block of a light rail station.
This new 6-story building has condos ranging in size from 950 to 3200 sf with prices of $370,000 to $1.5 million. Amenties include underground secured parking, rooftop pool, private patios/balconies, and gas fireplaces.
I was glad to read in today’s Phoenix Business Journal that because ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is funded by a bond program, it is largely immune from state budget cuts. In fact, this campus is growing - nursing, nutrition, education, and social work degree programs are moving downtown as well as other administrative functions. Today, we have 4,400 students downtown and plans to grow to 15,000 students by 2020 is on-track.
Everyday I walk 1/2 block from my loft to the construction site of Civic Space Park at Fillmore and 1st Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. I peek through the canvas-draped construction fence and watch the busy activity. I am astounded how beautiful it is becoming - the trees are planted and are starting to bloom, the rolling landscape is shaping up, and the historic building is looking mighty chic. The icing on the cake will be the dressing of the blue rings suspended in the sky. Sky Bloom will soon sport 600 lbs of netting - can’t wait to see the final effect!
