By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Old Town Scottsdale may soon see a stylish new mixed-use multifamily and office development.
Staff has recommended approval of a plan for The Bishop—a 17-unit, 4.3KSF boutique office/commercial development on 1.13 acres on the SWC of Bishop Lane and 2nd Street.
The Scottsdale Development Review Board is scheduled to review the site plan, landscape plan and building elevations in its April 17 meeting.
According to the project narrative, originally submitted by Helix Properties in May 2024, “The architecture will be anchored on the north end, facing the heart of the arts district and Camelback Mountain, with a beautifully crafted architectural concrete entry mass. The eastern building façade will be crafted with architectural divisions of the base, middle and top levels, which are different but interwoven and cohesive. The residential levels are highlighted by recessed and projecting forms that create indoor and outdoor spaces synonymous with Sonoran Desert living. The materiality will be of the highest quality and utilize muted tones that accent the desert and are befitting their Old Town Scottsdale setting.”
While many of the original documents and requests were submitted by Helix subsidiary Next Gen Old Town LLC, the current staff report and demolition permits associated with the project identify Pario Development subsidiary 2346 Lamington LLC as the owner. When contacted by BEX research staff, a Helix staff member reported the company had sold the property.
In a subsequent email exchange, Gordon Berry, Pario’s managing member, confirmed the company is now the developer.
The original plans called for 6.5KSF of office/commercial floor area, but that number was revised to the current 4.3KSF to accommodate parking requirements, according to the City staff report.
Parking for the commercial space and residential guests will be in a podium surface lot accessible from Bishop Lane. Resident parking will be in private garages accessible from the alleyway at the south end of the property. The separated ingress/egress points are intended to increase safety and better manage volumes. The plan also calls for eight-foot-wide sidewalks featuring landscaping on both streets’ frontages. Existing on-street parking spaces will be preserved, according to the report.
The narrative asserts the infill development is in keeping with the City’s greater vision for the Old Town area and Arts District and closely adheres to the guidelines established for the Downtown Overlay District.
Specifically, “We will provide an architecturally significant mixed-used property designed by an award-winning architect that adds residential units and boutique office space to a blighted and highly visible part of the Scottsdale Arts District.”
It goes on to say, “Architecturally, it will be a visual enhancement to the neighborhood, changing the abandoned and run-down structures for a design that is of scale and quality befitting the neighborhood and local environment. The large overhangs and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor spaces will highlight the distinctive design. Eliminating the blighted heat island and adding new landscaping, covered walkways, and well-designed ambient lighting will make this block livelier and more engaging, day or night. The mixed-use nature of the development will bring balance to the site, ensuring that this neighborhood has a pulse and creating a strong connection to the downtown core where local businesses and residents are supported.”
The narrative also says the project will provide a live-work community that will improve walkability and promote a more unified downtown.
The staff report says the developer has been in communication with surrounding property owners to solicit feedback on and support for the proposal. As of April 2, staff had received one public comment requesting the addition of shaded sidewalks and the possible inclusion of “bird-friendly” glass on the building. Another sought information on the noise mitigation plan.
Pario Development (as 2346 Lamington LLC) is the developer. The design firm is Drewett Works. Landscape planning is by Greey | Pickett.
