By Adrienne St. Clair for Arizona Builder’s Exchange
Miravista Holdings, LLC has submitted a proposal to the City of Tempe to build a mixed-use project just east of Tempe Marketplace and the 2100 Rio developments, and west of the Loop 101.
The new development would consist of 260 one- and two-bedroom apartments, a clubhouse and a “Food Hall” – a restaurant/retail combo.
The 10.15-acre, two-parcel site, also located on the north side of the Rio Salado Parkway, has historically been vacant or used for industrial or storage purposes. It was previously zoned as a Heavy Industrial District, but the new project requires a significant designation change. The developer proposed the site should be designated as Mixed-Use with a Planned Area Development overlay, a Development Plan Review and a use permit for tandem parking. Approval for the zoning change was made over the summer.
The residential portion of the project will consist of 147 one-bedroom apartments and 113 two-bedroom apartments. The 7KSF clubhouse will include amenities like a media room, a business center, a wine tasting bar, a fitness center and yoga studio, and a resort-style pool with cabanas. The developer also plans the landscaping to weave throughout the community, along with multiple grills and fireplaces.
Where the project really stands out is in the 15KSF single-story Food Hall, which, according to the project’s narrative is “unlike anything found in Tempe today.”
The Food Hall will be on the same site as the residential property, but is designed to be a unique experience for not only the residents, but for the overall area as well.
“Local, regional and national restaurant concepts will combine to provide a unique and varied experience that will accommodate a casual lunch, stylish dinner or weekend brunch on one of the expansive patios,” according to the proposal.
The proposal also claims that this “mix of luxury apartments and unique dining and shopping furthers Tempe’s vision for the revitalization of this area that began nearly 20 years ago.”
According to city documents, the developer held a neighborhood meeting, where those in attendance supported the project. They did request a light be installed at River Drive. The decision of whether a light will be installed will be made by the Arizona Department of Transportation and Tempe City Traffic Engineering at a later date, based on future traffic studies.