Proposed 165-Foot Office Tower at Biltmore Fashion Park Advances

Plans to construct a tower at Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix have been approved by the Phoenix Planning Hearing Officer, as it aligns with the city’s plans for the designated area.

The proposal for a 165-foot office tower at Biltmore Fashion Park is moving forward. The original plan was for an office building, but the developer is now considering a hotel or apartment complex instead.

In early 2024, Macerich, the shopping center’s owner, and Phoenix-based developer RED Development jointly applied for a new tower to be built on the southeast corner of the shopping center. The proposed tower will be situated on the intersection of 26th Street and Camelback Road, which currently serves as a surface parking lot.

There are two choices available for the construction of buildings at the designated location according to the plan.

The initial proposal includes an office tower with a combination of retail and restaurants on the ground floor. If this option is chosen, the maximum height of the building could reach up to 140 feet, as stated by the Phoenix Planning Hearing Officer.

The alternative possibility consists of a combination of a hotel, housing units, as well as retail and office spaces. This proposed tower has the potential to stand at a towering height of 165 feet.

There has been no indication from Macerich and RED Development regarding their preferred option for development. Furthermore, they have not disclosed any specifics about the proposed plans, such as the potential number of units that may be included in a residential project.

According to the current zoning regulations, the site permits the construction of towers up to 165 feet in height. Therefore, the project does not need to undergo the rezoning procedure.

During the hearing held by the Planning Hearing Officer on Wednesday, some individuals residing in the vicinity of the center along with representatives from neighboring commercial developments expressed a desire for a cooperative approach to be taken throughout the entire process.

Several people raised worries regarding the rise in traffic, prompting Phoenix Planning Hearing Officer Byron Easton to state that the developers must provide a study on the impact of traffic.

A meeting will be held next week by the development team for neighbors and other stakeholders who are interested. This meeting falls within the designated time period for appealing the decisions made by a planning hearing officer.

Despite the current global health crisis, the Camelback Corridor continues to be a highly sought-after location for office spaces in the Valley. RED Development has built and opened another office development, called the Grove, on 44th Street and Camelback Road since the pandemic began. This project has defied the downward trend of the Phoenix office market by achieving successful leasing, despite being located near Sam Fox’s Global Ambassador hotel.

Macerich, the owner of Biltmore Fashion Park, also owns several of the biggest malls in the Valley such as Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons, Arrowhead Towne Center, and Chandler Fashion Center.