The C.P. Stephens DeSoto Six Motorcars building is undergoing renovation to become the DeSoto Central Marketplace, a market containing restaurants, a bar and locally grown food.
Located at Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street, the building sits between the Roosevelt Row Arts District and the Roosevelt Neighborhood Historic District.
“Being adjacent to the light rail, it’s a gateway to the arts district of downtown Phoenix, and creates a destination within the neighborhood,” said Greg Esser, founder and former executive director of the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation.
The historic DeSoto building differs from others in downtown Phoenix because it is a Federally Certified Historic Preservation project and a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building. The two do not usually coincide because it is very difficult and expensive to meet regulations for both simultaneously, according to Bob Graham, an architect with Motley Design Group, who is overseeing the project.
Despite these deterrents, project partner Shawn Connelly said he believes that downtown Phoenix is the perfect place for it.
“Downtown Phoenix needs the concept of the DeSoto Central Marketplace so the residents can get the daily food essentials within walking or biking distance instead of having to take their car, a cab or bus to go to the supermarket,” Connelly said. “The market itself will complement all the other business and activities nearby. We see it as one more component in revitalizing a great downtown.”
The building, which was constructed in 1928, was designed as a car dealership and showroom but has stood empty for the past four years. The renovations taking place aim to reflect the spirit of the historic building.
“The owner of the project should be commended on the great integrity that the building has kept,” Esser said. “I applaud the new use in the community.”
The first floor was previously the car showroom and will be used for vending and food sales. A mezzanine will be added to the second floor to house offices and bathrooms.
The car showroom area on the first floor is a big, open space. The design for this room will be set up in a way that models a food court. There will be countertops in front of kitchen spaces and a drink and coffee bar, as well as open area seating, Graham said.
“The improvements to make it LEED-certified do not infringe on the character of the building’s historical value, but really complement it,” Connelly said.
The parking lot will be used for outdoor dining, including a fire pit and outdoor serving bar. Four windows with awnings will be added to the north wall of the building for walk-up or bike-up service.
Inside the building, the wood tress work, ceilings, brick walls and concrete floors will remain essentially the same. Graham said everyone loves how antique it looks.
“The roof of the building was leaking, and there was water running down the walls for years,” Graham said. “We just cleaned it up and put a sealant on it. It makes a texture you can’t fake.”
The project is expected to be completed and ready for business later this year.
Contact the reporter at Aubrey.Badger@asu.edu.
