Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L. P. announced that it will move its Phoenix office to CityScape in early 2010. The global law firm with 150 employees in Downtown Phoenix will occupy approximately 80,000 square feet across the top four floors of One East Washington, the mixed-use project’s Class A office tower. 

Jahna Berry
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 7, 2008 06:17 PM

Federal officials have cleared the $900 million CityScape high-rise project for takeoff.

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration ruled that the three-square block downtown Phoenix project poses no risk to aircraft that fly in and out of nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport."It's what we expected all along," said John Bacon, spokesman for Scottsdale-based RED Development. "This was within the guidelines that the city established," he said referring to downtown height rules the city adopted in 2006.

The developer scaled back initial plans for four planned CityScape towers, one over 500 feet; they are now slated to be around 400 feet. But those heights could change, Bacon added. Monday's FAA ruling helps clear the way for one building, with hotel rooms and condos, to rise as high as 510 feet.

It was a high stakes issue. If the FAA said the project was too tall, the city would have denied cityscape's building permit.

City leaders have touted CityScape, which broke ground in October, as a crucial downtown development. It's supported by more than $120 million in incentives from Phoenix. The hub of shops, hotels and offices, extends from First Avenue to Second Street, and from Washington to Jefferson streets. Demolition and other site work is underway and the first phase could open as early as 2009.

"We initially issued a Notice of Presumed Hazard because the structure heights exceeded several FAA obstruction standards," said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.

After further review, the agency concluded that the projects "punches up" into an airspace buffer, but doesn't have a negative effect on flights, he added.

Over the years tall projects in both Phoenix and Tempe projects have fallen under FAA scrutiny. Each development is evaluated on its own merits and by how it would impact the airport, the FAA says.

CityScape Announces Wachovia, Kimpton at Ground Breaking and Project Unveiling 
Leading National Financial Services Provider’s Regional Headquarters and Four-Star Hotel Palomar Coming to Downtown Phoenix  
PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 22, 2007) – The developers of CityScape announced new project details, including two major anchors, for the 2.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use project in downtown Phoenix. Wachovia Corporation, one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services companies, will anchor the 600,000-square-foot Class A office tower at One East Washington. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will operate a 250-room, luxury boutique Hotel Palomar in the mixed-use tower at One South Central that also includes approximately 150 luxury residential condominium units, plus lower-level retail. Additionally, the developers announced plans for 65 for-rent, market-rate apartments. 

Chain Store Age, a national trade publication for the shopping center industry, produced a special section on mixed-use projects around the country. CityScape was one of the projects featured in which it would "reinvigorate downtown Phoenix...providing a uniquely urban experience."

But Phoenix isn't the only community experiencing tremendous growth with mixed-use. Communities like Atlanta, Memphis and Myrtle Beach are among the cities with active projects. Conumers in these cities, just like in Phoenix, see the advantages of mixed-use projects:

Interest in CityScape remains high among Valley residents. A recent post at www.downtownPHXrising.org is a great example of the excitement this project is bringing to the Valley, and not just from residents who already live in or near downtown.

"I have lived in N. Scottsdale for over 15 years and can't wait until I move into my condo in downtown Phoenix. We, the city of Phoenix, NEED CityScape and more projects like it." Posted by M. Grant.

In the recent Arizona Republic article on a "Cooler" downtown, civic leaders discussed the importance of shade, open space and strategic landscaping.

The plans for CityScape include these elements, along with active storefronts and people energy from those who will live and work at CityScape and the surrounding areas. The public input process conducted by the Parks Board supported the concepts of shade and landscaping; water elements; event areas; art elements; people spaces; and sustainability.

A recent article in Supermarket News featured several supermarket operators around the country who are tapping into urban revitalization efforts. Among the grocers that have found success in revitalized urban markets are Ralphs (San Diego), Whole Foods (Portland, Maine) and Harris Teeter (Charlotte). AJ's at CityScape was also featured in the article.

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