Showing posts with label Metrocenter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metrocenter. Show all posts
2025/10/07
Phoenix finishes Metrocenter demolition. See what’s replacing it
Phoenix finishes Metrocenter demolition. See what’s replacing it
The iconic mall’s former home will transform into mixed-use hub The Metropolitan
An artist's rendering of retail spaces at The Metropolitan.
Phoenix IG, LLC
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Phoenix’s most famous mall is now a pile of rubble. After almost a year of work, demolition of Metrocenter is complete, though the site won’t stay vacant for long. The 64.2-acre property near Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue will become The Metropolitan, the centerpiece of the Phoenix Metrocenter redevelopment.
The $850 million mixed-use project promises a “walkable urban village” with housing, dining, entertainment, office space and retail. Construction is slated to begin in early 2026. Once complete, the project will reinvent the once-blighted site into a new “crown jewel” of Phoenix, according to developers.
The Metropolitan will bring homes, shops and restaurants together in one dense, urban-style area. It’s designed as a place to live, work and play within walking distance. The project will also include rooftop hangouts, pedestrian pathways, public gathering spots and access to transit. Walkability is the goal.
And for longtime locals, a nod to Metrocenter’s past will be baked into the development’s DNA.
Phoenix IG, LLC
Metrocenter’s exit and The Metropolitan’s entrance
Once upon a time, Metrocenter was Phoenix’s most popular shopping destination. The 1.4-million-square-foot mall opened in 1973 and served generations of locals. As Phoenix New Times stated in 2020, Metrocenter was “everyone’s favorite west side mall” for most of its 47-year run. It didn’t last, though.
Around the turn of the millennium, Metrocenter was in serious decline. By 2019, it had become a shadow of its former self and closed the following year during the pandemic.
Florida-based developers Concord Wilshire Capital purchased the property in 2023, planning to transform it into The Metropolitan. Demolition began in late 2024.
Most of the mall is now dust and rubble, with only the structure of onetime anchor stores JCPenney and Sears remaining. JCPenney currently houses a self-storage business, while the former Sears will torn down at a later date.
Phoenix IG, LLC
A ‘crown jewel’ for Phoenix
The Metropolitan isn’t shy about its ambitions: housing, retail, dining and entertainment all jammed into one sprawling project.
Its centerpiece will be The Loop, a 140,000-square-foot retail and entertainment hub. The development will be oval-shaped, an indirect nod to Metrocenter’s design. Amenities will include boutique shops, rooftop restaurants, music venues and a weekly farmers market.
Surrounding The Loop are three distinct residential neighborhoods: Terra Court, Brava Gardens and Luna Villas. Together, they will include approximately 1,200 townhomes, blending modern design with community-focused amenities. There’s also Levante Apartments, a 350-unit complex with modern amenities. Housing includes a mix of rental and for-sale options.
Phoenix IG, LLC
The Metropolitan will connect with the adjacent Thelda Williams Transit Center through The Track at the Loop, a landscaped pedestrian and bike pathway encircling the development. According to Concord Wilshire, the design promotes walkability and access to public transportation.
While The Metropolitan won’t offer a hockey rink or arcades like Metrocenter in its heyday, the development will include recreation. An amenity deck above a parking garage will include features like pickleball courts and a swimming pool.
Here’s a look at more artist’s rendering of The Metropolitan.
Phoenix IG, LLC
Phoenix IG, LLC
Phoenix IG, LLC
Phoenix IG, LLC
Phoenix IG, LLC
Phoenix IG, LLC
2025/09/25
Metrocenter's new chapter: Previewing the changes
Metrocenter's new chapter: Previewing the changes
The Metrocenter has been demolished, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. Major changes are happening at the site as developers prepare to transform the property. FOX 10's Dominique Newland has a preview.
2024/12/02
What is The Metropolitan? What to know about the new urban village in Phoenix
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.
2024/12/01
2024/11/19
This iconic Phoenix shopping center is being demolished. The Valley says goodbye to Metrocenter Mall.
This iconic Phoenix shopping center is being demolished. The Valley says goodbye to Metrocenter Mall.
It's the end of an era as demolition of the Metrocenter Mall is set to begin Monday at noon. The demolition will make room for a new walkable village featuring homes and plenty of stores and restaurants.
Metrocenter Mall opened in 1973, becoming an iconic and historic landmark in Arizona as it was the state’s first indoor, two-story, air-conditioned mall in the state.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El emblemático Metrocenter Mall de Phoenix será demolido y los residentes del Valle se despiden con nostalgia
It was also the first mall to host movies inside and was even one of the settings for the hit movie, "Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure."
The mall closed in 2020. In 2022, the Phoenix city council voted to spend $850 million to replace it with a walkable village that will include 2,600 multifamily homes and 150,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and restaurant space right along the city’s new metro light rail station.
The demolition was supposed to start in the summer of 2023 but was delayed due to more environmental work.
Officials with the City of Phoenix said the new development will open in phases, with the first one expected to open in 2026. The redevelopment plans to serve as a case study for vacant malls across the country.
Before the demolition begins, a ceremony will be held to celebrate the impact the mall had on the community.
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