The Urban Desert Real Estate

Patio 71 delivers refined, modern homes at low prices

2008-12-28T17:47:32Z

One of the most uniquely attractive condo developments in Phoenix, Patio 71 offers patio homes with a sophisticated and modern look at surprisingly affordable prices.

The two-bedroom, 1,275-square-foot residences have high-end features like Pedini cabinets, granite countertops, tile and wood floors, recessed lighting, dual-pane windows and Bosch and Fisher & Paykel stainless steel appliances. Still, prices are in the low $200s.

The gated community has resort-style grounds designed by Ten Eyck, a landscape architecture firm with a Phoenix office, and a 2,000-square-foot clubhouse designed by Phoenix-based architect John Chonka. Outside the clubhouse, there is a 25-meter lap pool and a large spa. The community has covered assigned parking.

A $15 million renovation was completed on the property, which has 71 single-level attached patio homes, in 2008. The property was once home to Villa Vallejo Apartments.

Located at 18th Street and Maryland Avenue, adjacent to Granada Park, the development is near Piestewa Peak, Biltmore Fashion Park, Esplanade Center, Camelback Colonnade and Town & Country Shopping Center.

For more information and/or to get a tour of Patio 71, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Midtown Phoenix’s Pierre retains retro look after renovation

2008-12-27T20:40:40Z

The Pierre on 5th Avenue seems like it should be required viewing for condo buyers seeking mid-century architecture in midtown Phoenix.

Built in 1961, the former apartment complex at 5th and Whitton avenues has been beautifully renovated, yet maintains its retro look and feel.

The 25 residences have been updated with porcelain or travertine flooring along with Berber carpet, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and low-E windows. Meanwhile, the building’s long-standing stone facade and mid-century modern architectural features have been preserved.

Available condo units range in size from 922 to 1,907 square feet with prices from the high $100s to the high $300s. Buyers can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans.

The Pierre has a courtyard with lush landscaping and a pool. Other common areas include a secured lobby with an elevator and a gated parking lot. Ample street parking is also available.

The development is within a half-mile radius of Park Central Mall, the light rail, Walgreens, Staples and Safeway.

For more details and/or to check out available units, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Summit at Copper Square is close to games, concerts

2008-10-22T19:23:24Z

Would you like to be able to walk to a sports game, concert or work from your home?

If so, Summit at Copper Square at Fourth and Jackson streets in downtown Phoenix might be for you. Built in 2008, the 22-story, 165-unit residential development is walking distance from Bank One Ballpark, America West Arena, Dodge Theater, Phoenix Symphony Hall and numerous businesses.

Interior features of the loft-style residences include the following:

Granite countertops with 4-inch backsplashes in kitchens.
Hardwood floors in foyer, hall, living room and kitchen.
Sound- and fire-rated partitions between units and common areas.
Solid core swing doors.
Kohler bath faucets, tubs and toilets in bathrooms.
Frigidaire stainless steel appliances in kitchens.

The community has a swimming pool and spa, sauna, exercise room, meeting room, large party room, three elevators and a striking lobby. There are four floors of garage parking inside the building and guest spaces outside the building.

Prices start in the low $300s and top out at about $1.2 million. Units are one- bedroom, two- bedroom plans or penthouses. Size runs from 745 to 2,000 square feet.

To view available units and/or for more information, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Mirada has style, great Phoenix location and affordable prices

2009-01-24T20:33:37Z

Phoenix’s Mirada offers affordable, mid-century modern condos near shopping areas, a freeway and public transportation.

The two-building, 30-unit development at 12th Street and Medlock Drive is near the Biltmore area, Camelback Colonnade, Town & Country Shopping Center, State Route 51 and the light rail.

Interiors boast bamboo flooring, porcelain tile and vessel sinks in baths, granite countertops and stainless appliances in kitchens, recessed lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The gated community has two pools, courtyard areas and stainless steel barbecue grills. There is both guest parking and assigned covered parking. Street parking is also available.

Prices go from $149,900 to $214,900. One-, two- and three- bedroom floor plans are available. Unit size goes from about 713 to 1,550 square feet.

The conversion of the development, which was built in 1962, will be completed in early 2009.

For a tour of Mirada and/or more information, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Tapestry on Central near Phoenix arts and culture, light rail

2008-09-11T21:23:19Z

Adjacent to the light rail and walking distance from museums, a major selling point of Tapestry on Central is its proximity to Phoenix’s cultural institutions.

Located at Encanto Boulevard and Central Avenue in midtown Phoenix, the three-building, 295-unit development is across the street from the Heard Museum and within walking distance of the Phoenix Art Museum. Hop on the light rail, and you can be at downtown cultural venues within a few minutes.

Interior features include contemporary natural gas fireplaces, Anderson windows and doors, full-size, self-cleaning ovens with gas stoves and recessed lighting.

The community has a furnished clubhouse, heated lap pool and spa, fitness center with restroom and sauna and underground parking.

Prices go from the low $240s to the low $700s. The units run from 837 to 2,558 square feet in size and come in a variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans.

For more information on Tapestry on Central and/or to view available units, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Onyx Tower to have posh ambience, waterfront views

2008-08-28T23:47:34Z

When it opens in a few years, Onyx Tower will offer outstanding lakefront views and luxurious residences in the sought-after Tempe Town Lake area.

The 26-story, 196-unit luxury tower, which will be completed in 2011, will have views of the water, downtown Tempe, the Mill Avenue Bridge, Papago Park and Arizona State University’s Karsten Golf Course.

Located on the north shore of the lake at Playa del Norte Drive and Rural Road, near Loop 202, Onyx will have a refined, modern-look with glass walls, sleek lines and sharp contrasting colors.

Inside units there will be undermounted sinks, quartz countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances, gas stoves and built-in ovens, 24-by-12 inch porcelain tile flooring and European-style oak cabinets. The centerpiece of every interior will be a hand-cast concrete fireplace and custom glass bar.

Community amenities will include the following:

Heated infinity-edge pool and spa overlooking the lake.
Heated roof top lap pool.
Poolside gas barbecues and cabanas.
Lounge with dining room, full kitchen and fireplace.
Billiard and game room with plasma televisions.
Private 10-seat movie theater with reclining chairs.
Media room with Wi-Fi access.
Conference room.
Fitness center with his and her’s steam rooms.
Two-story glass lobby area with onyx fireplace and water feature.

Select units will come with a two-car parking garage within the development’s underground parking structure.

Prices will start in the low $300s and go to $2.1 million. Size will run from 763 to 2,411 square feet.

Construction will begin in 2009.

To sign up to receive updates on Onyx Tower, click here.

Farmer Avenue Lofts benefits from unique Tempe location

2008-08-28T17:58:55Z

Farmer Avenue Lofts is close enough to Mill Avenue to give its residents easy access to downtown Tempe, yet far enough away to skirt the din of traffic and crowds.

Located two blocks from Mill Avenue at Farmer Avenue and Fifth Street, Farmer Avenue Lofts is at the edge of an urban and a residential area. The townhouses are two blocks from downtown Tempe, 1 1/2 blocks from the light rail and five blocks from Arizona State University.

The proximity to downtown Tempe and the light rail is conducive to the development’s live/work floor plans. Of the project’s 18 three-story units, six have live work/plans. In all, there are 13 different floor plans available.

Each interior has exposed masonry walls, 9- and 10-foot ceilings, two heating and air conditioning units, canned lighting and a full-size washer and dryer. Kitchens have Bosch stainless steel appliances, double-bowl undermounted sinks and maple cabinets. Both kitchens and bathrooms have granite countertops (except for half baths), glazed ceramic tile flooring and Moen fixtures.

Townhouses have two-car garages and driveways, balconies and roof decks with stairway access.

According to Timothy Donhauser, a designer and project manager for Phoenix-based Acanthus Planning and Architecture, which designed the lofts, other noteworthy features include insulated block walls and low-E commercial storefront windows. Seldom used in residential projects, the walls and windows reduce energy costs, he said.

Community amenities include a heated spa, lap pool, bicycle racks and striking landscaping.

Prices run $745,000 to $768,000. Size ranges from 3,582 to 3,725 square feet. Residences have two or three bedrooms and 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 baths.

Construction will be completed this month.

For more information and/or to get a tour of Farmer Avenue Lofts, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Mezzo mixes urban architecture with peaceful location

2008-08-26T22:43:09Z

Mezzo, an infill development in Phoenix, offers distinctive urban architecture in a quiet neighborhood setting.

Located near 12th Street and Osborn Road, the urban-looking Mezzo is in a residential area. With light rail access about a mile away, however, downtown Phoenix is easily accessible.

The development’s 10, three-story residences have two-car parking at the ground level of each unit. Five units have yards and five do not. Every unit is allotted a small garden in a common area.

Designed by Will Bruder, architect of the Burton Barr Central Library, Mezzo’s well-placed dual-pane windows provide great views of the street sans creating the sense that privacy has been compromised. Metal screens outside bedroom windows provide additional privacy as well as shade.

The exteriors of the two buildings have a vibrant mix of colors with exposed masonry block and steel.

Interiors have European-style solid cherry cabinetry in kitchens and baths, bay windows and GE Monogram stainless steel appliances. Units come with either bamboo, slate or limestone flooring.

Prices are from $395,000 to $420,000. Units have two bedrooms, a study and 2 1/2 baths. Each residence is roughly 1,525 square feet.

Construction was completed this summer.

Click here for pictures.

For more information and/or a tour of Mezzo, contact Joe Kovesdy.

Centerpoint boasts superb views of Tempe, central location

2008-08-23T01:20:33Z

Located at the center of the bustling Tempe Mill Avenue District, Centerpoint Condominiums has an enviable location and sweeping views of downtown Tempe.

Bordered by Ash Street, Fifth Street, Maple Avenue and Centerpoint Plaza, Centerpoint is walking distance from the light rail, Arizona State University and scores of shops and restaurants. The mixed-use development has 357 residential units in two towers, one that’s 30 stories and the other 22 stories. Two additional towers have been planned for the site.

The two towers share a 30,000-square-feet amenities area on the seventh floor with a fitness center, two movie theaters, business center, concierge, commercial demonstration kitchen and video game lounge. On an outside deck there is a swimming pool with integrated hot tub and an artificial beach. The ground level will have an Italian restaurant, winemaking facility and a market and cafe.

Buyers get a choice of flooring, cabinetry and countertops. All residences come with alarm systems.

A 10-level garage with four floors underground and six above ground provides parking. There is also nearby metered parking and parking lots.

Studios start at the mid-$300s while larger units begin at $1 million. Size runs 500 square feet to upwards of 7,200 square feet. There are over two dozen floor plans.

Construction of the first two towers is expected to be completed in 2009. A construction timeline for the additional towers has not been released.

The Phoenix office of Gould Evans Associates designed the project in conjunction with Vancouver-based IBI/HB Architects.

For more information on Centerpoint, contact Joe Kovesdy.

44 Monroe is a symbol of downtown Phoenix’s resurgence

2008-10-28T01:02:58Z

Like the mythological bird that rises from its ashes, downtown Phoenix has been reborn.

The tallest residential building in Arizona, 44 Monroe, is one of many signs of the downtown’s rebirth. Located at Monroe and First streets, the 34-story, 196-unit condo tower is expected to be completed by mid-2009.

The building is next to the light rail and within walking distance of downtown businesses and attractions.

Not surprisingly, residents of 44 Monroe have incredible views of downtown Phoenix from inside their units and their balconies. The units come with travertine tile in the kitchen and foyer areas, granite countertops in kitchens, sound- and fire-rated partitions and Kohler fixtures in bathrooms.

The eighth floor offers several community amenities: a fitness room, business center, conference room, community room with catering kitchen and outdoor grill area and a pool and spa area with restrooms.

A seven-floor parking garage, which has cameras and other security features, provides parking for residents. Additionally, there is metered parking on Monroe Street and parking garages in the area.

Prices go from $483,100 to $4.19 million. Size ranges from 965 to 4,268 square feet. Units come in a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans.

Designed by San Diego-based Tucker Sadler Architects, the building was inspired partly by a painting from artist Jennifer J.L. Jones called “Five Elements.” The five vertical fins on the facade correspond with the five Chinese elements of nature — earth, wood, water, metal and fire — featured in the painting. The design element is also a theme in the building’s interior.

For more information on 44 Monroe, contact Joe Kovesdy.