Huge Old Town Scottsdale Project Approved: What’s Coming Next

Old Town Scottsdale is on the brink of a significant transformation with the approval of the expansive Scottsdale City Center project.

 

This development is a major component of the ambitious Scottsdale Collection, which received a narrow 4-3 approval from the city council on December 7, 2020.

 

Current Councilwomen Solange Whitehead and Kathy Littlefield were among the dissenting votes at that time.

 

Fast forward five years, and the 3-acre Scottsdale City Center has smoothly progressed through a crucial pre-construction phase, encountering minimal resistance.

 

The Development Review Board unanimously endorsed this substantial addition to Old Town during their December 11 meeting.

 

Located at the intersection of Scottsdale and Camelback roads, the project is poised to become a reality.

 

The plan includes 138 residential units, which may be apartments or condos, and 35,000 square feet of commercial space.

 

City planner Greg Bloemberg outlined the design: "The proposal consists of four buildings surrounding a large, publicly accessible plaza space... A pair of two-story buildings front Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road, respectively, with the taller 14-story buildings more centrally located on the site to minimize impacts from massing at the pedestrian level along the street."

 

Parking will be addressed with a six-level garage, featuring two sub-grade and four above-grade levels, concealed from external view by the residential buildings' amenity levels.

 

Residential units will commence on the fifth level, with the lower floors dedicated to retail and restaurant spaces.

 

This project continues the evolution of Old Town, situated across from Fashion Square and adjacent to the Yari brothers' developments, including the seven-story W Hotel built in 2008 and the 12-story Remi Hotel, which debuted this fall.

 

Looking west, City Center residents will overlook the 13-story Waterfront Towers, constructed in 2006.

 

Five years ago, the Yaris' Scottsdale Collection plan proposed several buildings across 6.5 acres, featuring multi-family residential units, office spaces, restaurants, and a hotel, with structures ranging from three to 12 stories.

 

The Yari brothers' Riot Hospitality Group also operates popular venues like Cake, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, El Hefe, and Maya Day and Nightclub, significantly contributing to the Entertainment District's development.

 

Shawn Yari emphasized their long-term vision: "We had a grand vision for this quadrant many years ago – kicked off by the development of the W."

 

At the December 11 meeting, architect John Tran highlighted the project's focus on pedestrian enhancements and community engagement, featuring an open-air plaza with a large turf area, seating elements, and a public art sculpture.

 

Development Review Board members praised the design, with Ed Peaser stating, "This is going to be a real entryway to Scottsdale... It’s going to be quite an interesting, unique project. I like this project very much."

 

David Mason added, "This is a very inspired design."

 

Longtime Scottsdale architect Barney Gonzales noted the project's complexity and quality: "This area is very the most difficult spec I ever did... This is very well done."

 

There was no public opposition during the meeting.

 

City Council representative Adam Kwasman supported the project, joining the unanimous vote.

 

The project aligns with Scottsdale's sustainability goals, incorporating elements like low water use landscaping, shaded storefronts, and high-performance window glazing.

 

The Yari brothers' application emphasizes the integration of desert vegetation and enhanced canal circulation to draw people into the plaza.

 

Reflecting on their 2020 votes against the Scottsdale Collection, Councilwomen Littlefield and Whitehead expressed concerns about maintaining Scottsdale's unique Western character amid rapid development.

 

Whitehead noted, "While beautiful, the Collection’s building heights did not fit Scottsdale’s Old Town character. In response, I voted on reforms that now protect Old Town’s scale by lowering bonus heights and mandating open space, pedestrian connectivity, and improved landscaping."

 

As Scottsdale approaches its 75th anniversary, the Scottsdale City Center project represents a significant step in balancing modernization with the preservation of Old Town's distinctive charm.