Arizona Center to Get $25 Million Refresh to Attract Downtown Shoppers

The new modern design for Arizona Center shows a rooftop jutting toward the sky like a rocketship near the entryway off Third and Van Buren streets. (Rendering courtesy of Parallel Capital Partners)

By Katelyn Greno | Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona Center is planning a $25 million refresh to appeal to shoppers, adding more lighting, valet parking, courtyard seating and other design elements to modernize the 26-year-old center in downtown Phoenix.

Here are some of the elements of the redesign that will start in January and be completed in nine months.

New skin

Michael Jackson, senior project manager for center owner Parallel Capital Partners, said the building will get a whole new look.

“They’ll be a very high end metal skin going on the building, all the paving that is sand stoned now that has deteriorated quite a bit will be replaced, the glazing will be replaced, all sorts of lighting features will be added.”

The center redesign means the entryway at 3rd street and Van Buren has the roof angled towards the sky like a rocket ship.

Scottsdale resident Rachel Smetana, who used to live in downtown Phoenix, said she’s seen more restaurants and less retail stores over the years she’s shopped there.

“When it was first open it was super popular and always jam packed,” Smetana said.

Valet parking

The center is also expected to offer valet parking service off of 3rd street.

Flag World has been at the center since the center opened in 1990. Store manager Rafael Campos said it’s time for a makeover.

“Working at the center for a long time, it’s in need for some more life downtown,” Campos said. “I am kind of excited they have a big renovation planned,” said Campos.

More seating

In the interior courtyard, developers will be adding more seating and glass walls. Developers are going add shade structures, lighting, branded signage features, landscape and new materials, according to a news release.

“Anybody that puts a $25 million investment into something has definitely made some calculations that it’s going to pay off in the long run,” Smetana said.”So probably to open up the space a little more and to have more seating, a little bit of a update, a friendlier kind of physical environment is going to help sure.”