Roommates with a view: X Phoenix high-rise to offer shared rentals

PHOENIX – X will mark the spot in downtown Phoenix for a new high-rise apartment concept with rent-by-bedroom options.

City officials and project executives held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning on the first phase of X Phoenix, a 20-story apartment, retail and office complex on Van Buren Street between Second and Third avenues.

“It’s a new trend, and it’s just incredible to have it right here in Phoenix,” City Councilman Michael Nowakowski said before the first shovels of dirt were turned.

The project is one of nine planned or opened across the U.S. by X Social Communities, a brand under developer Property Markets Group that aims to provide fun, convenient and attainable housing.

The properties offer the option of renting a full apartment, furnished or unfurnished, or a single private bedroom and bathroom in a furnished suite shared by other residents.

“It’s not workforce housing. It’s not affordable housing. It’s not regular housing, but it’s a shared type of housing where business people can come into the city of Phoenix and rent a room and share all the different amenities, from the living room to the kitchen to all the other open space they have,” Nowakowski said.

The building is expected to open in fall 2021 with 616 beds in 254 apartments ranging from studio to four bedrooms. Pricing has not been announced.

Amenities will include an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, 4,500 square feet of coworking space, a 4,000-square-foot pool and a 1,000-square-foot hot tub.

“And then it’s going to have some great retail on the bottom,” Nowakowski said.

“So it’s going to be a cool, funky place to come, and it’s going to really revitalize this part of the city.”

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