If you really want to learn a lot about a new construction project, you have to get out and tour the site. Over the last several weeks I have taken clients on building tours of some of the more notable construction sites in Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale. The trip to the top of 44 Monroe provided by far the most spectacular views. These photos from the 34th floor penthouse show a side of Phoenix you normally just don’t see, unless your using some sort of aircraft! This project seemed to take a forever to get started and there was a time when we wondered if it would ever happen at all. Now construction is well along and you can see that this really is going to be a beautiful addition to the downtown skyline.
Moving from downtown Phoenix due east take us into Tempe and the construction site for the Centerpoint towers. Centerpoint is the most ambitious residential project in the state with it’s two high rise towers reaching upward side by side in tandem construction, . They are connected by a seven story platform building housing a first class restaurant, gelato bar, retail shops and boutiques capped off by a 7th floor private amenities level that gives new meaning to the phrase “resort style”. Now that the site is going vertical it’s not hard to imagine hanging out by the negative edge pool (with white sand beach) just above treetop level with the two emerald glass towers looming above.
Finally we take a trip to Old Town Scottsdale to check in on the latest addition to the Waterfront District. Safari Drive has always seemed like a cool concept. Lofts, town homes, flats and live work units all in a classy modern community right on the waterfront. I have been through the sales center several times to check out the scale models, the renderings and look at floor plans. But like most people, I really need something I can put my hands on to see how cool it will be. Well, construction is coming along now and I was able to walk through some of the homes that are nearing completion. They were all modern, upscale and classy. My favorite was a huge (1500+ sq ft) live work loft with 1 bedroom up and 2 full bathrooms. This cavernous loft had everything you would expect. Open bedroom upstairs, wall of windows, modern cool fixtures and LOTS of open space.
The point to all this is: You can look at all the renderings, and scale models, virtual animation videos and floor plans you like. But it’s hard to get excited about a project until you can actually see and touch it. Stand in the doorways, check out the view, and visualize what it will be like to live there. All the salesmanship goes out the window because that’s when homes start selling themselves. .
