The site of a demolished central Phoenix car wash that closed nearly a decade ago is finally getting new life as a retail and restaurant hub with a downtown feel.
Why it matters: The vacant land on the northwest corner of Third Street and McDowell Road is a prime location in a booming central Phoenix neighborhood.
State of play: The Corner at Midtown, as the planned development is called, will feature restaurants and boutique retail, said developer Jeff Harris of Helix Properties.
- He told Axios that about 6,000 of the roughly 15,000 square feet will be taken up by restaurants, with patio space facing an outdoor breezeway separating the development’s two buildings.
- They plan to bring in higher-end retail and have some target tenants in mind, including a med spa, but nothing finalized.
Zoom in: The businesses will be street-facing and developers will widen Third Street alongside the complex to make it more pedestrian-friendly, Harris said.
- He said the Corner at Midtown would be a good fit for the neighborhood, similar to developments on the northeast and southeast corners of Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road.
- The developers originally considered including 150 apartments but decided against it due to the number of new residential units that have come in over the past five to six years.
Between the lines: The development’s location in a bustling central Phoenix corridor is a major selling point, per a leasing flyer.
- It’s within walking distance from major apartment complexes, has easy access to light rail, is less than a mile from ASU Downtown and Roosevelt Row, and is near the Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Theatre Company.
What’s next: Helix Properties plans for the Corner at Midtown to open in late 2027…