In March, Consumer Cellular was awarded the Redevelopment Project of the Year at the Arizona Real Estate and Development (RED) Awards. Our team feels honored to receive this recognition on behalf of a great client and architecture partnership. This is Consumer Cellular’s third Valley location; the other two are in Tempe. This project was realized thanks to the vision of Everest Holdings, owner and developer; Realty Asset Advisors, project manager; and Studio Ma, project architect.
Redevelopment at its finest involves repositioning real estate to its highest and best use. That is exactly what occurred when Everest Holdings set its sights on the abandoned Sam’s Club located near I-17 and Bell Road.
The challenges of adding the floating mezzanine, elevator and staircases within a single-story building, originally constructed in 1987, were daunting. The construction and design teams did an excellent job of working with the engineers of record and the AFP department within the City of Phoenix to deliver a building that has become a benchmark in the adaptive reuse community. The design team created elements that truly make the building state-of-the-art by today’s standards, while incorporating some of the original shell features that afford the space a sense of culture and history. This project leaves a memorable impression, tops the lists of building renovation projects in 2018 and sets a new benchmark for redevelopment projects in the Valley. This new space will provide for more than 1,600 jobs over the next 3 years.
“When we acquired this empty big box, we immediately saw the potential this former retail building could have as a re-imagined office space,” said Everest Vice President Kate Sweeney. “Its wide-open floor plan, high ceilings and abundance of parking make this property conducive to the collaborative office environment many large corporate users are in search of today.”
The space now has a beautiful entry showcasing a contemporary, open-air staircase, an industrial feel and modern, inviting decor – all in a collaborative work environment. The redevelopment also included significant lighting concepts, bringing natural light throughout the space.
“It was our architect’s taste, but also Consumer Cellular’s taste,” said Joe Blackbourn, President of Everest Holdings. “They really wanted to leave the concrete walls bare. They wanted to use all of the scored concrete on the floors. Beyond the appeal in the overall look, it’s got a great durability and utility over a long period of time. It is today’s aesthetic and lives really well.”
“From an abandoned 105,000-square-foot eyesore to a vibrant office building with curb appeal that will employ more than 1,600 people, this project is exactly what every municipality hopes for,” says James Murphy, President and CEO of Willmeng Construction. “The fact that Everest Holdings was able to monetize their investment so quickly after they leased the building is evidence that they had a vision and there was a tangible demand. What they accomplished with the building, is truly amazing.”
“It is great to see this empty big box repurposed to a new workplace bringing job opportunities to Phoenix,” said Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who represents the part of town where the property is located. “This is a great example of adaptive reuse and more opportunities for growth in customer service jobs for the area.”
