Photo of the courtyard in front of Barnes & Noble |
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| Address | 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, Arizona 85281 PH# 480-966-9338 |
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| Opening date | September 28, 2007 |
| Developer | Vestar Development Company |
| Management | Vestar Development Company |
| Owner | Vestar Development Company |
| Architect | Buttler Design Group |
| No. of stores and services | 100+ |
| Total retail floor area | 1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m2) |
| Parking | 5,986 outdoor at grade spaces |
| No. of floors | 2 |
| Website | tempemarketplace.com |
Tempe Marketplace is an open air shopping center located in Tempe, Arizona. It is located along the Salt River near the interchange of the Loop 101 Pima/Price Freeway and Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near the Tempe borders with Mesa and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
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The mall was developed by and is currently owned and operated by the Vestar Development Company and officially opened on September 28, 2007.[1] Nearly 1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m2) of retail space on 130 acres (0.53 km2) of land that was once a landfill considered so toxic it was put on the U.S. E.P.A. Superfund List in 1983 and subsequently removed 20 years later.[2] During initial development legal battles ensued as the developer and the City of Tempe acquired land from 52 individual lot owners for the shopping center. The city’s use of eminent domain was called into question and upheld by a judge however a settlement between all parties was reached outside court.
There are two distinct areas for shopping at Tempe Marketplace, an outer ring of Big Box retailers and the central area of smaller shops called The District. Between the two they feature over 120 retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues. Pedestrian walkways and other retail pads connect all areas to make for a very pedestrian friendly environment. In the center of The District is a large courtyard with a stage that has seen various musical acts perform and a large LED Video Screen which shows local sports teams and other special events to passers by.[3] Throughout other areas in The District are outdoor fireplaces, fountains and seating areas. Large amounts of tall plants, shade structures and misters help control the climate during the hot Arizona summers.
The Harkins Theatre in the District has the largest movie theatre in the state of Arizona with 604 seats in its signature Cine Capri theater[4] which was the host to the worldwide premier of the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine.[5]
The direct competition for the Tempe Marketplace comes from 2 miles (3.2 km) east at the Mesa Riverview shopping center. The two centers are of a similar outdoor shopping, pedestrian friendly design.
Big Box Majors
Majors in the District
Restaurants & Entertainment