
Extensive renovation plans have been announced for a recently purchased and popular upscale shopping center in Phoenix.
Located at 2502 E. Camelback Road, the open-air Biltmore Fashion Park was completed in 1963 at a cost of $4 million and has always been regarded as a luxury retail destination with more than sixty specialty shops and a rooftop beach club looking out at the Camelback Mountains.
When construction plans for the project were initially announced in the spring of 1963, the Arizona Republic noted that the idea behind the center was to make it look “more like a park than a commercial enterprise.”
The property was originally designed by the Los Angeles-based architectural firm of Welton Becket and Associates.
The mall, with its red brick sidewalks, shaded walkways, flower gardens, and outdoor cafes, has undergone several upgrades through the decades, including an expansive multi-phase $30 million refreshing in 2005.
Earlier this year, the Phoenix-based Red Development purchased the center for $110 million and announced its renovation plans for the site, with partner Mike Ebert describing the mall as “one of the state’s most important and historical” properties.
Those plans include the building of residential space, several upscale hotels, modern office space, and improved outdoor lighting and landscaping. A proposal to also build a high-rise tower at the site was earlier approved by the city.
New design work for a mall known for its sleek early 1960s architectural elements is expected to see what has been described as a “modern twist on mid-century design.”
Describing the mall as “iconic to Arizona,” Ebert has recently remarked that Red Development is “committed to preserving its storied history while expanding its offerings to ensure it remains a dynamic center for generations to come.”
November 15, 2024
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of Red Development