One of downtown Phoenix’s vacant lots will be turned into a loft-style complex with an expected completion date in 2016.
Grand Avenue Lofts is located in one of downtown’s budding neighborhoods referred to as the Triangle. The boundaries of the Triangle Neighborhood are Roosevelt, 7th Avenue and the only diagonal street in Phoenix, Grand Avenue.
The two-bedroom lofts are being built on a long-time vacant lot in Phoenix. The lot will consist of four loft-style townhomes.
“I wanted to make a boutique model that has a cool interesting design and then put it in an area that is, in a sense, transitioning because I think it will develop more culture in the long term for Phoenix,” said construction developer Cole Van Norman. “The idea is that lofts will be multi-family with privacy, meaning none of them will be facing each other.”
Van Norman added that the Grand Avenue lofts will have increased insulation and solar panels as part of the design. Additionally, the location of the lofts will allow people to walk or bike places and encourage a car-free lifestyle.
There are several new projects going up in the Triangle Neighborhood such as Containers on Grand, Center 8 Townhomes and the recently finished White Stone Studios.
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“The Triangle Neighborhood is a wonderful urban community that has attracted attention from some smaller developers that are putting their stamp on the area,” said Dan Klocke, vice president of development for Downtown Phoenix Partnership, in an email. “Grand Avenue Lofts is another contribution to the community along with multiple other residential and commercial projects. The more people and businesses that come to the Triangle, the better it gets.”
Each 1,250 square foot loft will be designed with a “spacious interior, an open kitchen layout, large windows and master suite,” according to Van Norman Development’s website.
Van Norman graduated from the ASU School of Sustainability in 2012 where he studied environmental studies and focused on urban planning.
“I always knew I was interested in construction and always knew that I wanted to design big suburban developments,” Van Norman said. “I fell in love with the idea of cities while doing my environmental studies.”
After graduation, Van Norman worked for a few real estate development companies and then started his own company, Van Norman Development LLC.
Neighborhood resident Devin Rankin is a long-time resident who has recently moved back to Arizona and back into the neighborhood. Rankin said she really enjoys seeing her original 1914 bungalow be mixed with the new modern loft homes that are being developed.
“It’s a thrilling time to be here after more than a decade of working on this house and seeing the neighborhood get going,” Rankin said. “It’s great to see all the new energy and excitement. It’s an exciting time to be living in the Triangle.
Contact the reporter at emily.lockwood@asu.edu
