Westgate City Center
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| Westgate City Center | |
| Facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Location | Glendale, Arizona |
| Opening date | November 15, 2006 |
| Developer | The Ellman Companies |
| Total retail floor area | 508,000 sq ft (current) 6,500,000 sq ft (projected) |
| Website | www.westgateaz.com |
The Westgate City Center is the name of a mixed-use development located in Glendale, Arizona. It is described as a super-regional[1] destination for shopping, entertainment, commercial office and luxury residential. Anchored by the Jobing.com Arena, home of the NHL team the Phoenix Coyotes, the complex is planned to eventually feature 6,500,000 square feet (604,000 m²) of retail space[2] and become one of the premier entertainment destinations in the region, attracting a projected 22 million visitors annually after completion.[3]
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[edit] Development
Development of the Westgate City Center began with the construction of the Jobing.com Arena, then referred to as the Glendale Arena. Construction of the arena was completed in late 2003 and it hosted its first NHL game on December 27 of that same year, while construction of the remainder of Westgate did not begin until October 2005.
The project has been split into multiple phases to facilitate construction and development. Phase I, the initial 510,000-square-foot (47,000 m²) development, opened to the public on November 17, 2006 in limited fashion with only a few restaurants and a sports merchandise store, with other retailers, restaurants and a 20-screen theater opening in the following weeks.[4] Phase I also includes an upmarket 12-story Renaissance Hotel completed in mid 2007, and a convention center, as well as outdoor entertainment facilities.
Phase II, projected for completion in 2008, will add an estimated 436,000-square-foot (40,500 m²) retail destination center and 105,000 square feet (9,800 m²) of "neighborhood retail" to be integrated into a 440-unit residential district.[5] Construction on phase II is underway.
The development of future phases will be contingent upon market demand and is yet to be scheduled, although estimated completion dates range from 2010[6] to 2015 at a potential total cost of $1 billion.[7]
[edit] Attractions
The center was built around the Jobing.com arena, which is its primary attraction. Although not a part of the development, the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, is located directly adjacent to the development. Management of both Westgate and the University of Phoenix Stadium have cited their proximity as creating a synergistic boon to the area.[8]
Adjaceant to the Jobing.com Arena and central to the project is an events plaza featuring decorative fountains and a massive complex of outdoor signage as well as outdoors entertainment venues. Cooperating with media giant Clear Channel Communications, the development includes 30 large electronic signs, some in excess of 100 feet (30 m). The agglomeration of electronic signage and media boards, said to be the largest "Media & Signage District" west of Times Square[9] has earned it the nickname "Times Square of the Desert"[10]
The plaza also features a 60,000 gallon (227,000 liter) "dancing fountain" display, costing some $5 million to construct. The fountain was inspired by the more elaborate display at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas and has been described as "Bellagio-esque."[11]
[edit] Events
As home of the Jobing.com arena a number of events are held at the Westgate city center. However, the center itself has been the host of a number of events independent of the arena. Westgate hosted the Westgate Rocks New Year's event on December 31, 2006, the first major New Year's block party to be featured on Phoenix's west side. An estimated 7,500 people attended the party.[12]
Westgate has also become home to a number of smaller scale block parties to cheer on local American Idol contestant Jordin Sparks. Recent block parties related to the show have drawn over 700 people.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ Glendale Avenue and Loop 101 Corridor Facts (PDF). City of Glendale.
- ^ "Wait for Westgate City Center over", The Arizona Republic.
- ^ Gloski, Brianne (May 2006). "Best in the West". Shopping Center Business.
- ^ Wong, Scott. "Westgate opens in Glendale", The Arizona Republic, November 17, 2006.
- ^ Ertter, Terry (February 26, 2007). "Growth Booming In Valley Of The Sun". Rocky Mountain Construction.
- ^ Hazel, Debra. "WESTGATE BRINGS VEGAS GLITZ TO GLENDALE, ARIZ.". Shopping Centers Today.
- ^ Herrick, Thaddeus. "Cities Construct Sports Arenas With Neighborhoods to Match". Real Estate Journal.
- ^ Rubiano, Sherry Anne. "Office tenants at Westgate begin moving in", The Arizona Republic, January 27, 2007.
- ^ "Westgate City Center to Be Home to Largest ``Media & Signage District West of Times Square" (June 12, 2006). Business Wire.
- ^ Clear Channel Builds Times Square of the Desert. Advertising Age.
- ^ Shearin, Randall (May 2005). "Scoring Big" (PDF). Shopping Center Business.
- ^ Watters, Carrie. "Westgate rocks with revelers", The Arizona Republic, January 3, 2007.
- ^ Zlomek, Erin. "Jordin mania only growing stronger", The Arizona Republic, May 1, 2007.
