What is The Metropolitan? What to know about the new urban village in Phoenix
The Metropolitan is a new, up-and-coming urban village planned in Phoenix where the former Metrocenter Mall once stood. It will be accompanied by a retail plaza park called The Loop at The Metropolitan.
The development is a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use project with housing, shopping, dining, parks and rooftop amenities. It connects to the Valley Metro light rail service, which can transport riders to downtown, the East Valley and eventually, south Phoenix.
Here's what you need to know.
Where Metropolitan and The Loop are located
The 68-acre project is at Interstate 17 and Peoria Avenue, where Metrocenter Mall is being demolished. Demolition began Nov. 17.
It connects to the Thelda Williams Transit Center, where riders can hop on a Valley Metro bus or light rail. The light rail connects to downtown and the East valley. The south-central extension into south Phoenix is slated to open in 2025.
The project is also near Castles N' Coasters, a Phoenix amusement park that opened in 1976.
What kind of housing will there be?
As of November 2024, The Metropolitan is slated to include roughly 1,200 townhomes across three communities:
- Terra Court
- Brava Gardens
- Luna Villas
Terra Court is the entry-level community, with Luna Villas being a step up with shaded patio, and Brava Gardens offering upgraded finishes, larger floor plans and expanded amenities.
Betts said the plan currently estimates about 1,200 townhouses on the 68 acres but could include apartments in the future. Some townhomes will be available for rent and some for purchase.
What's the price point to live at The Metropolitan?
Prices for townhomes are planned to start in the low $ 400,000s and $ 500,000s, according to Steve Betts, senior director for Concord Wilshire, one of the groups partnering to redevelop the mall.
The Loop: What's coming to the retail plaza?
The Loop will include shops, restaurants, bars, parks, a splash pad, an outdoor entertainment venue, a rooftop restaurant and rooftop amenities. The walkable plaza will have an entry point at the Thelda Williams Transit Center.
Developers of the project say the community will focus on walkability and public transit, plus connectivity between the retail plaza and residential communities.
The Loop will emulate an arts and dining district. Live music programming is coming to the outside entertainment venue, as well as weekend Farmers Markets.
Who the development is planned for?
Anyone is welcome, but developers and city leaders have young families, empty nesters and working professionals in mind.
Phoenix's Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said she envisions The Metropolitan as the go-to destination for people from south Phoenix and north Phoenix to meet up.
Residents living at the new development will have easy access to work in either downtown or north Phoenix, where TSMC is bringing a slew of new employment opportunities, Mackay said.
When's the development opening?
Betts, senior director for Concord Wilshire, one of the groups partnering to redevelop the mall, said it's possible the project comes together in five to seven years. That puts it sometime between 2030 and 2032. The schedule looks like this
- 2025: Demolition, including he removal of underground infrastructure.
- 2026: Putting in new infrastructure, such as streets, water and sewer, should take another year.
- 2027-2032: Vertical construction of the retail and residential components.
Who's building it?
Three groups out of Florida − Concord Wilshire Capital, TLG Investment Partners and Carl DeSantis’ CDS International Holdings Inc. − bought the site and are partnering with Hines in the $850 million redevelopment.
Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.
Corina Vanek covers development for The Republic. Reach her at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CorinaVanek.
