The lot had been assembled starting in 2006 from a number of older apartment buildings with the intent of building a 240 room hotel to be named Solis plus 140 high end condominiums.  You might remember reading that the owner of the property had proposed moving the SRP substation that currently abutts Camelback to a new location near 68th Street and Indian School Road.  Property owners near 68th and Indian School were not crazy about the idea of a new electrical substation in their neighborhood and property owners near the proposed Solis and condos were not delighted by the proposed dense multi story buildings.

All that stress was for naught when the economy tanked and the plans were put on the back burner.

We have yet to hear what the new owner of the eleven acres, AZ-Waters Edge LLC plans to do with the site.  Maybe the owners will consider building rental condos like Optima Development which built Optima Camelview Village and Optima Biltmore Towers is doing with Optima Sonoran Village at the corner of 68th and Camelback.  The question is that with so many proposed rentals in the planning stage is there a market for even more.  Is there a market for a high end hotel like originally proposed? Shopping there doesn’t make sense.  Whatever it is, our money is that it will be dense.  It will be interesting to see how the project will affect views at Safari Drive and W Hotel.  No matter what, anything will be an improvement over a vacant lot with construction fencing.  Stay tuned…

Obviously we’re big fans of urban and I write often of the growing interest that we are seeing in urban living condos and lofts. However, sometimes I’m not sure if our perception of this growing interest is real or simply isolated to us.  What I mean is are we at We Know Urban Realty seeing more interest in urban living because we are in the urban living business and our market share is growing (a larger percentage of a static whole) or is there a growing movement in general? Tough to know for sure.  But, as I read news articles from across the country it is clear that interest in Transit Oriented Development, or TOD, or another word for urban living is gaining steam from Hawaii to the East Coast.

More and more people appreciate the idea of trading in their cars and long commutes for the simpler life of riding to work. The appeal of walking to shopping or restaurants or entertainment outweighs the reality of expensive backyards and excessive square footage under the roof. The social connection of urban living draws people from the isolation that comes with a suburban backyard.

I’ve said it before and here it is again, urban living makes sense.

Urban living means more efficient use of smaller spaces. Less space means less “stuff”.  Less stuff means less maintenance and cost.  Less maintenance means more time to live. More time to live means more joy.  Pretty simple really but let’s continue.

Urban living means less driving. Less driving means less gas, less automobile maintenance and less carbon. Less gas and less maintenance means fewer expenses. Less carbon means less pollution.  Fewer expenses and less carbon means a higher quality of life.

Urban living means more socialization. More socialization means more friendships, more experiences and a stronger community. More friendships and experiences and stronger communities mean better quality of life.

Urban living might mean living in a smaller living area but it does not mean living a smaller live.  Just the opposite.  Living smaller frees us up to live so much larger. It is larger living in the greatest sense of the word. Live small so you can live large!

Freedom to hang whatever art you want to on the walls without worrying about getting permission.

Freedom to hang your flat screen tv.

Freedom to tear down a wall or paint it the way you want.

Freedom to update the home the way you want to without questioning the logic of spending money on improving your landlord’s property.

Freedom to do what you want and the way you want.

Let’s face it, no property is perfect.  Every property needs tweeking to reflect the unique qualities of it’s inhabitants.  Yes we can compromise and almost all of us have to.  But the level of compromise is so much greater when one rents.  I’m not saying that renting is a bad thing.  In fact it is the absolute best thing for many people during many times.  I am however grateful that I have remembered one of the most important reasons for buying, and it’s not about money.

However, being the urban fan that I am it is easy for me to believe that planning for and encouraging denser mixed use zones does promote growth and investment and synergy.

Urban living makes sense today, much more sense than sub-urban living.

We work harder and longer so we desire simplicity, gas prices are crazy and likely to continue going up, more of us are thinking about mother earth before we buy, we are having fewer babies, we want quality of life over quantity of life, and we want to connect more.

Urban living fits all these requirements. When we buy or rent urban we are buying or renting a better lifestyle.  We want to live closer to work and entertainment so we spend less time driving and more time living (unless you consider being stuck in traffic living), less driving means spending less on gas, less driving makes less impact on our environment, the downturn in the economy has forced most of us to live with less and guess what, it hasn’t been all that bad.  In fact I argue that my life is better today with less “stuff” and fewer expenses.  I downsized my material life but upsized my quality of life.  That’s what it’s about for me and it seems that more and more people are in agreement.

The phrase “urban living” for some might conjure images of a gritty, isolated and tough existence but it is just the opposite.  Urban living means you know your neighbors.  You run into them when you’re checking your mail, or in the parking garage, or at the fitness center, or light rail stop, or at the pool or in the lobby of your building. We urbanites introduce ourselves to the new neighbor in the elevator.  Urban neighbors talk about the building or the HOA or about the great restaurant they just stumbled upon.  We actually spend time chatting.

I don’t know about you but I’ve done the sub-urban thing and it was nothing like urban.  Most of us sub-urbanites came home, clicked our garage door openers and were never seen again until we were racing to work the next morning. We didn’t walk along the narrow subdivision streets to enjoy the faux desert landscaping and monotone color schemes.  Instead we stayed inside or kept to ourselves in our manicured back yards.  Were their exceptions?  Absolutely.  But the exceptions were mostly contrived.  We had to manufacture socialization in sub-urbia by inviting others over for a barbecue or Super Bowl Party.  Socialization in sub-urbia is less spontaneous and more structured and that’s a shame.

Urban living isn’t contrived, it’s real and spontaneous and fun. I love running into neighbors at a local mom and pop restaurant.  Heck, I love that we have mom and pop restaurants instead of big box chain restaurants. I could go on and on.  Bottom line, I love urban living and based on the number of people contacting us to help them buy or rent urban, I’m on to something.

So although I can’t truly say that “Tempe’s planning during lean years now is paying off” I could certainly understand why it’s true if in fact it really is.

Urban living is the future in Phoenix.  No, I don’t believe that we will ever be as dense as cities like San Francisco or Miami or New York but pockets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe are becoming more and more dense and are picking up momentum as they go.

What social, environmental or financial differences do you see between urban and sub-urban living? Let me have it if you think I’m off track. I can take it.  Afterall, I live in the city! 

It might make sense to me because it reflects what we, the agents at We Know Urban Realty, are experiencing.

I recently did an MLS search for a young couple.  They are looking for a cool urban condo, in the Phoenix mid-town or downtown area for $200,000 or less.

Of the 42 condos fitting that description currently ”for sale” on the MLS every single one of them already has at least one contract on it; meaning that another buyer already has it tied up. There isn’t a single property fitting the description truly for sale.

That’s remarkable.

42 urban condos and everyone of them is gone.

I know that there have been a lot of false alarms during this economic malaise but this time, I really believe that we have hit bottom and are working our way up. If you have questions give us a call at 480-510-8755.  If you think I’m a knucklehead then leave a comment.  I’d love to hear other peoples’ perspective on where the real estate market is.

Joshua Carlson | (480) 695-4841 594 W 6th St, Tempe, AZ Awesome Brownstone living in the heart of Tempe, walking distance to town lake, mill ave and light rail stop at 3rd and 2BR/2+1BA Condo $1,500/month Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Sq Footage 1,527 Parking 1 dedicated Pet Policy Conditional Deposit $1,500 DESCRIPTION Awesome Brownstone living in the heart of Tempe, walking distance to town lake, mill ave and light rail stop at 3rd and Mill. Interior has many upgrades including hardwood flooring and an awesome kitchen. Very open floor plan, this is a true loft feel. Many bonuses, town home has living room, den and separate office space off the kitchen. End unit with only one shared wall, upgraded sound barrier insulation helps reduce outside sounds. Living area pre-wired for Surround Sound. This unit has a 2nd room downstairs that could used as a 2nd bedroom with full bath. see additional photos below
RENTAL FEATURES - Air conditioning - Central heat - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Loft layout - Office/Den - Dining room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Stainless steel appliances - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area – inside - Cable-ready - High-speed internet   COMMUNITY FEATURES - Garage parking - Swimming pool(s) - New property (< 5 years) LEASE TERMS 12 month Minimum
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7
Contact info: Joshua Carlson (480) 695-4841

Posted: Apr 12, 2012, 9:07am PDT

]]> http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/04/stunning-brownstone-in-heart-of-tempe-only-1500/feed/ 0 http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/04/stunning-brownstone-in-heart-of-tempe-only-1500/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WeKnowUrbanBlog/~3/li19BQ-MesA/ http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/04/urban-condo-in-premiere-phoenix-high-rise/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:29:18 +0000 Katie http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/?p=2310

Katie | We Know Urban Realty | kjkbaccus@gmail.com | (480) 206-4336 4750 N Central Ave Unit 5K, Phoenix, AZ Urban condo in premiere high rise! 2BR/1BA Condo $1,125/month Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Sq Footage 980 Parking 2 dedicated Pet Policy Cats, Dogs Deposit $1,125 DESCRIPTION Contemporary living at its finest! Exceptional location directly alongside the Central Corrider. Eye-popping designer paint throughout the spacious condo, hard wood flooring, granite countertops and upgraded appliances. Breathtaking Northern views from the balcony! Amenities include a heated pool, roof top patio, clubhouse, movie theater, lounge and fitness center! ***Heating and cooling (HV/AC) INCLUDED!!!*** Also included: water, trash, sewer, HOA see additional photos below

RENTAL FEATURES - Air conditioning - Central heat - Hardwood floor - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Swimming pool - Jacuzzi/Whirlpool - Cable-ready - High-speed internet COMMUNITY FEATURES - Covered parking - Guest parking - Business center - Clubhouse - Laundry on-site - Fitness center - Swimming pool(s) - Sauna/Spa - Secured entry - Elevator - Vintage building LEASE TERMS 12 months

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Landmark Towers Club Room Sun Deck Laundry Facility Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9

Contact info: Katie We Know Urban Realty kjkbaccus@gmail.com (480) 206-4336

Posted: Apr 2, 2012, 9:09am PDT

]]> http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/04/urban-condo-in-premiere-phoenix-high-rise/feed/ 0 http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/04/urban-condo-in-premiere-phoenix-high-rise/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WeKnowUrbanBlog/~3/RL6GKcw7NrY/ http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/2012/03/worth-a-look/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:09:30 +0000 Will Daly http://www.weknowurban.com/blog/?p=2303 The video goes on about twice as long as necessary but for a high rise fan it’s interesting to see scaffolding eye bolts, the views from the roof of this tower, the width of the parapet and exterior walls, the way high rise signs are constructed and more.  W