Gilbert OKs plan for hotel, park, housing, more in downtown district

PHOENIX – Gilbert’s upstart downtown isn’t done growing.

The Town Council last week unanimously approved an agreement for a 500,000-square-foot mixed-used development west of Gilbert Road between the Western Powerline Trail and Juniper Road.

The area to be developed is located north of the popular Barrio Queen and Clever Koi restaurants.

The plan features a boutique hotel, multifamily housing, two parking structures, office and retail space and an urban park.

Have you heard the news?! 📢#GilbertAZ's Heritage District is getting more retail, a hotel, office space, multifamily housing, an urban park and MORE! 👏 👏

Learn all about it ➡️ https://t.co/UO7uprr1WT pic.twitter.com/OzjedbxmQA

— Gilbert, Arizona (@GilbertYourTown) May 18, 2019

The development will diversify the East Valley suburb’s Heritage District entertainment hub, which has been dominated by restaurants that have sprung up on both side of Gilbert Road in recent years.

Per the agreement, developer Heritage North Partners will pay fair market value for the 9.1-acre plot, with a minimum set at just over $5.3 million.

Heritage North was chosen from among nine bidders interested in developing the vacant property, part of which is currently used as overflow parking for the bustling area.

“We are thrilled to be working with Heritage North Partners on the development of this important site,” Mayor Jenn Daniels said in a press release.

“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in the Heritage District and have received a great deal of citizen input on its future, and it’s exciting to see that this will enhance the entire community.”

The first part of the development is expected to open in second half of 2021.

Plans call for:

• A 75,000-square-foot boutique hotel.
• 100,000 square feet of Class A office space.
• 25,000 square feet of retail and 10,000 square feet of office space.
• 250 units of multifamily housing.
• One parking structure of at least five floors for use by the offices, retail shops and hotel.
• A second parking structure of at least five floors that will be wrapped by the residential building.
• 15,000 square feet of open space that the city can use for public events.

In addition, the development will be integrated with the Western Powerline Trail and include a north-south pedestrian/bicycle passage.

As part of the agreement, the city will spend $350,000 on to-be-determined improvements in the area.

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