Members of the Phoenix City Council have given their approval to a rezoning proposal that will see the demolition of a nearly 80-year-old church to make way for a modern apartment complex.
Located at 745 W Fillmore Street, the Mercy Hill Church, in the city’s downtown Triangle Neighborhood, is under contract to be sold to the Trumont Group, a real estate and investment firm based in Dallas.
Preliminary plans call for the construction of a four-story building that will house 122 residential units. While some consideration was given to preserving the church, which features a nave with intricate wood ceiling cross beams, it was subsequently thought that it would cost too much to bring the building up to date.
Even so, published reports indicate that the new structure will incorporate the brick colonnades of what was originally called the Church on Fillmore as well as its highly visible bell tower, while also trying to maintain the Spanish-style design of the original structure.
At least one public input meeting has been held regarding plans for the site, which include building live-work units on the first floor of the new structure as well as several studio spaces.
A final sale date for the property has not yet been announced. Officials with the Mercy Hill Church say the congregation will move to another location in the city once that sale is finalized.
The Trumont Group specializes in apartment complexes ranging in size from 228 units to 374 units in both Texas and Arizona.
By Garry Boulard
