Downtown Phoenix real estate development company True North Studio described its commitment to developing the art scene of the Roosevelt Row community at a Downtown Voices Coalition, a community advocacy group, meeting Saturday morning.
In the last few years, True North Studios has been buying properties along Roosevelt Row, including Pemberton House, Knipe House, the Ten-O-One office building and monOrchid.
“True North Studio is really excited about the number of projects we’re working on,” said True North Development Manager Nate Sonoskey.
Sonoskey said there would be changes coming to existing True North properties, including monOrchid, which was acquired by True North for $3.5 million last February. According to Sonoskey, the mixed-use building will be redeveloped from the outside to draw in more people.
The changes coming to the buildings are part of a plan to redevelop Roosevelt Row called Ro2. The plan aims to benefit downtown Phoenix by bringing in more locals and tourists as well as creating workspaces, educational spaces, meeting spaces and art spaces.
Sonoskey said True North plans to update the architecture, renovate and add unique touches of art such as sculptures and murals to its buildings in the district.
Community members suggested that the company could expand its art focus to create an art gallery.
Tim Sprague, a DVC member and partner at Habitat Metro, another downtown development firm, suggested that the company should develop one massive art gallery with its retail office spaces.
“True North has the ability to have all local arts be a part of this gallery,” Sprague said.
“It’s very hard to find a gallery to what’s considered being in the Roosevelt Row Arts District,” DVC member Steve Weiss said.
Weiss supported Sprague’s suggestion, but recommended that True North incorporate more than just local arts, statues and murals.
“We have a Phoenix Art Museum, but we don’t have a Phoenix Museum of Art,” Weiss said. “And we also have enough murals. We don’t need more murals.”
Sonoskey said True North Studio would be open to the idea of an art gallery.
“If there are any tenants who have an art gallery or are potential art tenants, we could work with that,” Sonoskey said.
Sonoskey also mentioned a new project with Grace Lutheran Church. The church and real estate company are in talks to convert the congregation parking lot just west of the church, which is located on Third and Moreland streets, into a public parking lot.
True North said it hopes to continue to work with the downtown Phoenix community and the City of Phoenix to get its ideas approved. Sonoskey said it will also continue to keep the DVC updated on their plans within the community in future meetings.
Contact the reporter at milopez6@asu.edu.
