Metrocenter demolition begins as developers reveal full project details
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A bird's eye artist's rendering of The Metropolitan, the transit-oriented development that will be built on the site of Metrocenter Mall. Image: RSP Architects, courtesy of Concord Wilshire
Demolition of Metrocenter mall has begun, giving way to newly announced plans for the urban village that will replace it.
The big picture: Developers and city officials on Monday revealed their vision for "The Metropolitan," as well as a retail center to be called "The Loop." Shortly after the press event, construction workers began tearing down an exterior wall of the Dillard's Clearance Center on the eastern side of the mall.
- The "O" logo is an homage to the ring road that circles the mall and will remain a part of the design.
Meanwhile, the project's new name "acknowledges the legacy of Metrocenter," Phoenix City Council Member Ann O'Brien, who represents the area, said at an announcement event.
Zoom in: The transit-oriented development, which features a light-rail hub, will have between 1,200-2,000 housing units, likely a mixture of rental and for-sale townhomes, Steve Betts, senior director for Concord Wilshire, which is part of the project's development team, told reporters.
- The Metropolitan will feature three distinct housing complexes at different price points.
- It will also include about 140,000 square feet of retail, and the rooftop of the public parking garage will have a mix of public amenities such as pickleball courts, event space and a restaurant, and private features for residents like a swimming pool.
- At the ground level will be desert landscaping, splash pads, a plaza and spaces to host music events, movie nights, holiday festivals and farmers markets.
Catch up quick: Developers earlier this year began re-envisioning the project, which has been in the works for several years, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.
- Rather than have retail on the ground floor of apartment buildings, it'll now be housed in separate buildings, which Betts said gives it a unique feel compared to places like Kierland Commons.
- The city and developers had to determine how to replace revenue lost to a state ban on sales tax on rent.
- Sales taxes from other sources will now be used to reimburse developers for infrastructure costs.
What to watch: The 68-acre project could expand to 80 acres if developers acquire the former Sears site.
- Betts said mall redevelopers across the country have had difficulty finding agreements to buy former Sears parcels, and said a "price issue" has thus far prevented the acquisition of the Metrocenter site.
- Negotiations remain ongoing, and Betts said he expects the Sears site to eventually become part of the urban village, which could add a substantial number of residential units, most likely high-density apartment housing.
The bottom line: Betts said "we're three to four years away from completed product."
- Demolition, including the removal of the "spaghetti of infrastructure" under the mall, will take 10-12 months alone.
- Installation of new infrastructure like roads, water, sewage and the parking garage will take another year.