New Homes & Lifestyles
All Aboard for the Tempe Lifestyle! - by Kris Baxter
Upwardly urban might be the best way to describe Tempe, Ariz. The city of 160,000 residents swirls with 4 million tourists a year, a workforce of 175,000 — and more than a dozen colleges, universities and trade schools bringing to Tempe more than 150,000 students. All this within 42 square miles.
What draws these people?
Beyond the high paying jobs with Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, the educational opportunities, Tempe is a great place to hang out, work out and party. The lively city offers with activity ranging from fantastic shopping and dining to full-on Ironman triathlons and concerts with musical stylings from Chopin to The Fray.
Tempe’s residents are a diverse population with 63 languages spoken in Tempe schools. The average age is 28.8, and more than 40 percent of those over 25 years old hold college degrees. The average home in Tempe sells for about $230,000. It’s easy to get to Tempe. The city is surrounded by freeways and Sky Harbor International Airport is just minutes away from downtown. Light rail opens in Tempe in late 2008. And the city is known for its convenient bus system and bike paths.
Job Mecca
Businesses enjoy Tempe because of the strong employee base, the multiple transportation options and the low cost of doing business.
Edward Jones has its world training headquarters in Tempe. Medtronic has an entire campus in the city. Smith Barney and Wells Fargo also have a significant presence within the community. Tempe is one of the few cities in the Southwest that has more jobs than residents.
Sail and Shop Away
For the athletic, Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Avenue District offer a variety of choices. Those who like water sports can learn to row, try out a Chinese Dragon Boat or outrigger canoe or go sailing. The landlubber might prefer to hike “A” Mountain, run the paths surrounding Town Lake or enter the PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon or New Times 10K. You can find a run benefiting charity most weekends during the great weather.
Shoppers can experience the stunning new Tempe Marketplace. Located just west of Loop 101, Tempe Marketplace's 1.3 million square feet of retail is an open-air, pedestrian-oriented environment, creating an eclectic atmosphere for a memorable experience. Have a cup at Tea Infusion, watch a movie on the state’s largest screen at Harkins Cine Capri or play games at Dave & Busters.
There’s also Arizona Mills Mall, an outlet center, the state’s only IKEA at Emerald Center and strolling at the Mill Avenue District.
Art Party
The more cultural crowd might find the concerts at ASU’s Katzin Hall to their liking. Musicians from around the world, ASU faculty and students perform several days a month to showcase their talents. ASU Gammage offers off-Broadway shows. And each year, the Tempe Music Festival delivers two days of world-class popular music sponsored by Circle K and Fender Guitar.
The new $65 million Tempe Center for the Arts features three stages, a lobby that faces Tempe Town Lake and many event rooms for weddings and special occasions. It is linked to Tempe Beach Park by a 27-acre Arts Park. Watch Childsplay performances or stroll through the art gallery. Cocktails and appetizers are available for the public on certain nights.
The Tempe Festival of the Arts, Oktoberfest, and the New Year’s Eve Insight Bowl Block Party are among some of the area’s larger festivals of fun. And nowhere else in the state can you watch fireworks over water from a high rise.
Condo Living
People enjoy themselves so much that Tempe is experiencing a new wave of development. Because the city is landlocked, there’s only one way to go—up. More than 80 major new development projects valued at more than $2 billion are in the works, some as tall as 30 stories. About 15 new hotels are expected. Get details on all Tempe’ major development projects at www.tempe.gov/business/maps.
Mosaic is a 21-story, high-rise tower offering approximately 236 residential condominium homes and a two-story Whole Foods. Prices on Tempe's urban condominiums generally start in the low $300,000s for small studio units but extend into the $6 million range, making the Mill Avenue District / Tempe Town Lake area some of the most valuable land in Arizona.
Opening Spring 2008, Centerpoint Condominiums is a ground-breaking residential venture that will feature four towers ranging from 22 to 30 stories. The development is an opulence of world-class luxuries and unique partnerships with renowned food and wine makers to offer residents superior lifestyle experiences.
In conjunction with Ray Signorello Jr., of Signorello Vineyards in Napa Valley, Centerpoint will showcase the first urban Napa Valley wine education and winemaking facility in the country. Notably, celebrity chef Michael DeMaria is opening his signature restaurant, Trattoria M, and Chef Michael’s Kitchen Market Caffe at the plaza level. And, exclusive to Centerpoint residents will be developer Avenue Communities’ distinctive real.life.style program, an amenities-rich living experience, featured at the seventh level (www.centerpointaz.com).
The Avenue Community team is also redeveloping the Hayden Flour Mill. Part of Tempe’s historic past, this building is the site of one of Tempe’s first businesses. The new development will include a museum showcasing some of the mill equipment, a bakery, an oyster bar and office space.
Onyx Tower is a 26-story black glass condominium project on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The highly anticipated, European-inspired development is planned as the tallest building on Tempe Town Lake, serving as an awe-inspiring landmark on the northeast shore in close proximity to the ASU campus and Tempe’s vibrant downtown scene. Developed by WestStone Communities, this sleek, contemporary property will offer many luxury community amenities, including an infinity-edge pool, a heated rooftop lap pool, a movie theater and the exclusive two-story Sky Lounge (www.onyxtoweraz.com).
The south side of Town Lake is getting its share of new development as well. The Hayden Ferry Lakeside development features condominiums, three office buildings and a Le Meridien hotel (www.haydenferrylakeside.com).
The Pier at Town Lake, adjacent to Karsten Golf Course, will bring 3.6 million square-feet of mixed-use development. Plans call for two Class A office buildings, a four-star hotel, and 10 high-end residential buildings. A retail corridor runs through the development and will feature national retailers, well-known boutiques and restaurants. The city of Tempe is working on an open space and pier plan with the developers at this time in hopes of creating a more interactive experience (www.thepierattownlake.com).
Whether you choose to visit or become a resident, Tempe is a great place
to make memories.
INFO LINK
Tempe Attractions
www.tempecvb.com
Tempe Developments
www.tempe.gov/business/maps
