High rise condos in Phoenix were once rare. In fact until 1990 there were only four high rise condo buildings in the entire Valley, all located in the Phoenix Midtown area. And those four towers, constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s, were built as rental apartments and only later converted to condominiums.
In 1990 construction began on Crystal Point, the first high rise condos in Phoenix. Unfortunately that was the same time that the Savings and Loan crisis hit the country and sales of these Phoenix condominiums were slow for almost a decade.
It wasn’t for another ten years that the next high rise condominium, Esplanade Place, was built. Sales were robust and made headlines. This marked the start of what became the Phoenix high rise boom.
Urban living in Phoenix is diverse, exciting and convenient. From Phoenix high rise towers in Phoenix Downtown, Phoenix Midtown and the Biltmore to architecturally interesting lofts and condos in small established neighborhoods. Most are close to hip and cool restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, premium shopping, entertainment, and in some cases the light rail. Urban enthusiasts enjoy convenience, a sense of community and seem to have more time to do what they enjoy. All three of which are in short supply in today’s world.
These loosely defined areas througout town help us when discussing options with buyers.
Camelback Corridor Condos – The Camelback Corridor to us runs from approximately 44th Street, west along Camelback Road, to about 12th Street. It also runs north and south from Camelback Road from about Bethany Home Road to about Osborn or so. Some of the condo communities to the right do not fit exactly within these parameters but they fit better in Camelback Corridor than any other geographic category. Camelback Corridor is largely defined by Biltmore Fashion Park and the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback. The area thrives with high rise condo buildings like Esplanade Place, 2211 Camelback, and Optima Biltmore as well as equally intriguing but less obvious developments like Galleries at Turney, the future Aura at Camelback, and George Lofts.
Downtown Phoenix Condos – Downtown Phoenix may not be as ‘up-scale’ as the Biltmore area but it certainly has a lot to offer and will have so much more in the years to come. The completion of light rail and ASU downtown campus made a tremendous impact. Light rail has created a focal point for the investment of time, money and energy that has been absent from Phoenix for too long. Energetic, creative, ‘visioneers’, are bringing hip fun businesses to the area and adding life and vibrancy. We do not propose that light rail will change the face of commuting in Phoenix but we do believe that it will make the Central Corridor one of THE places to live for urban enthusiasts. Favorite buildings range from Portland Place Lofts with its awesome location and fantastic style to Summit at Copper Square with modern finishes and beautiful exterior and with the light rail just a block away to St Croix Villas with a charming courtyard area, gated common area, and a stone’s throw from light rail and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
Midtown Phoenix Condos – We Know Urban defines midtown Phoenix as Camelback to McDowell and roughly 15th Avenue to 12th Street.
North Phoenix / Scottsdale / Tempe Condos – North Phoenix is not an area that one would normally attribute with having an urban lifestyle but lofts and high rise condos are gaining popularity in the north Valley. From the new mixed use development called City North up by Desert Ridge to the very popular high rises condos at Kierland Commons, urban residence are proving successful. Scottsdale & Tempe are now in the game to with several developments including Optima Camelview, Scottsdale Waterfront Residences & Bridgeview at Hayden Ferry Lakeside.
Current MLS Listings:
