The intersection of North 17th Avenue and East Camelback Road in Alhambra will be the next section of Phoenix to experience urban rejuvenation, according to Arizona Builders Exchange. The intersection, described as “gritty” by locals, currently includes a large empty lot on its southwest corner that will be the site of the development. Located just outside of Midtown, the area has garnered attention thanks to the recent addition of a light rail station running along East Camelback Road from North Central Avenue to North 19th Avenue. 

Development opportunities are peaking interest as both luxury and low-income living projects have been proposed for the same southwest corner, offering housing options for a variety of buyers.

The luxury project, proposed by United Capital Partners and Vivo Development Partners in early April, calls for 330 market-rate units over two levels of parking, 4,000 square feet of ground-floor gallery/retail space, and 30,000 square feet of amenity space that includes a courtyard, pool, and poolside ramada. According to submitted documents, they have asked for approval to purchase the city-owned lot in order to build C17—the name for the multi-family project—for a total of $110,000 with the expected project value set at $66.3 million. 

Rendering courtesy of City of Phoenix

The low-income component of the development will provide 55+ affordable housing on the south end of the property. According to submitted plans, the complex will include 200 residences in order to “address Phoenix’s affordable housing shortage and the City’s rapidly expanding senior population.” The builder believes the senior residents will require less parking and thus prevent the development’s parking lot from feeling too crowded.

Marrying the two projects is a testament to Vivo’s experience with senior living. The company has multiple 55+ projects in the region, including Bell Luxury Senior Living in Deer Valley Village, Inspira Arrowhead of Glendale, and Arista at Ocotillo in Chandler. 

Phoenix has seen plenty of success in recent years when it comes to urban rejuvenation. The area known as “Between the Sevens” has been redeveloped with new restaurants, housing, and shopping. The Warehouse District is another example of an area that has flourished in the face of adversity. Since 2012, the area—due to the renovation of dilapidated and abandoned buildings—has become a tech hub and one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city.