Surrounded by the harsh beauty of the desert, the ever-sunny metropolis of Phoenix continues to expand and evolve. The nation’s fifth largest city boasts one of the most affordable rental markets and a rising demand for more real estate. More than $4 billion dollars have been invested in Phoenix’s urban center since 2006, including the completion of a light-rail system, the expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, the construction of the largest hotel in Arizona, and the creation of a downtown campus for Arizona State University.
With the help of Google’s Street View, RentCafe has traveled back in time and pinpointed some of the most amazing developments that helped reshape the Valley of the Sun. See how much Phoenix has changed in the last 8 years with these stunning before-and-after images.
Simply drag the arrow bar back-and-forth to view the old and the new images.
1. CityScape Phoenix – Downtown
Encompassing two city blocks, the mixed-use CityScape Phoenix high-rise was completed in 2014 by RED Development. It has slowly evolved into downtown’s shopping, dining, and entertainment hub with 19 dining options and trendy nightlife. The 27 story Alliance Bank Tower hosts a Bank Branch and Corporate Offices along with over 15 other businesses.
The 242-key boutique Hotel Palomar located at CityScape is steps from major arenas, concert venues, cultural attractions, as well as ASU’s newest campus. It offers 10,000 square-feet of meeting space and 4 star amenities. Extending 14 stories above the contemporary 10-story Hotel Palomar, the luxury CityScape Residences apartment tower offers full access to the hotel amenities, refined interior finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and garage-to-apartment elevator service.
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2. South Court Tower – Government District
Home of the Maricopa County Court House, this 16-story building gleaming in an exterior copper finish is located at 175 W. Madison St. Designed by architect Gould Evans and completed in 2012 by Gilbane in association with Ryan Companies, South Court Tower boasts 695,000-square-feet of energy efficient space encompassing 32 courtrooms.
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3. Freeport-McMoRan Center, The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 44 Monroe – Downtown Phoenix
Completed in 2009, the 26-floor Freeport-McMoRan Center offers a nine floor subterranean parking garage and eight floors of Class A office space filled by namesake Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold international headquarters.
Opened in 2011, after a redesign of new unused office space, The Westin Phoenix Downtown is a boutique-style hotel located on the first 8 floors of the Freeport-McMoRan Center. It features 242 spacious guestrooms with panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountain landscape. Amenities include a roof top outdoor pool, fitness studio, a farm-to-table inspired restaurant, and 15,000 square-feet of upper-floor meeting space.
Under construction in 2007, 44 Monroe is Arizona’s tallest residential tower (pictured, left). Located in downtown Phoenix, on the site of the former Arizona Bank Building, the 34-story apartment building features luxury units with panoramic views and floor-to-ceiling windows.
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4. ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation – Downtown Phoenix
Funded by the city of Phoenix, ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation adorns the northern gateway to the university’s downtown Phoenix campus. Built in 2009, the five-story glass-and-copper multi-use facility features 84,000 square-feet of classrooms, office and administrative space, a 200-seat conference center, and a 60-seat computer laboratory. LEED-NC Gold Certified, the building was created by architect SmithGroup and built by JJR Construction in partnership with DPR Construction. It provides an eco-friendly design solution that supports healthcare learning and research for more than 3,000 students
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5. Roosevelt Point, Phoenix Arts District
Roosevelt Point, a premier complex at 888 N. 4th Street consisting of two residential apartment towers on two separate blocks, opened in 2013. The North and South Buildings offer 326 apartments marketed to the university community and rented out by the room. The $52 million project, developed by partners Concord Eastridge and EdR, fills a demand in the Downtown housing sector for middle-income residents. It boasts two modern fitness centers, two swimming pools, an outdoor grilling area, 5 level parking garage, and 7,500 square feet of ground-level retail space.
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6. Cigna Medical Group – Phoenix Central Multi-Specialty Center at 3rdStreet and Earll Drive
Sitting on an 8-acre tract in Central City Phoenix, CIGNA Medical Group’s Phoenix Central Multi-Specialty Center was completed in 2013. This three-story, 93,500 square-foot medical office building houses medical offices, an optical shop, pharmacy, laboratory, outpatient surgery center, and an urgent care center completely run on solar power.
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7. 24th at Camelback II, Camelback Corridor
Joining its sister building, 24th At Camelback I, developed by Hines in 2000, 24th at Camelback II is an eleven-story, 300,000-square-foot mixed-use building. The magnificent curved, reflective glass façade encompasses ground floor retail space, Class A multi-tenant offices, and a subterranean 1,175-space parking structure. Developed by Hines in 2010 on 8.5 acres, it became Arizona’s first LEED-EB Platinum certified building.
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8. Phoenix Arizona Temple, Pinnacle Peak Crossing
Completed in 2014, after a redesign, Phoenix Arizona Temple is a 64,870-square-foot Mormon temple. Located on almost 9 acres at 5220 West Pinnacle Peak Road, it overcame a contemptuous permitting process. To address neighborhood concerns, the Temple evolved into a single-story, earth-tone building with a full basement and provides 400 parking spaces. The spire, exempt from height limit zoning restrictions, rises approximately 120 ft.
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9. Oasis Hospital, 750 North 40th Street
Located north of the Phoenix International Airport, this 93,641 square-foot, 3-story Oasis Orthopedic and Spine Inpatient Surgical Hospital was developed by Clarius Partners, LLC in a unique partnership of 42 orthopedic and spine surgeons, Catholic Healthcare West, and United Surgical Partners International. Completed in 2011, the $16M project offers patients state-of-the-art technology in a resort-like setting.
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10. Aloft Phoenix-Airport Hotel, 4450 East Washington
Just minutes from the Phoenix International Airport, the stylish, 143-key Aloft Phoenix-Airport Hotel features loft-inspired design and accessible technology. Developed by Corporex Companies, Inc. in 2009, this 6-story hotel offers free WiFi, self-serve kiosks for check-in, flexible lounge space, on-site parking, a 24-hour business center, fitness center, and a splash pool.
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Which developments are changing your Phoenix neighborhood?
Contributor: Corie Bussell Paz, MPH is a writer in the real estate, travel, and women’s health niche. She is a Maternal and Child Health professional by day but her business is real estate.
