ORCHIDHOUSE LOFT FOR RENT 2 Bedroom, 1.5 bathroom loft for rent in the heart of Downtown Tempe.  This loft includes 11 foot ceilings, exposed ductwork and large, operable windows with great city views from the 5th floor.Offered for rent at $1,995 / month, Available August 1st, 2008For more information on this loft or other Downtown Tempe Lofts, Condos or other Lofts at the Orchidhouse, and other real estate for sale or for rent, please contact: Tom TokophUrban Realty & Development602-549-9000Urban Realty specializes in the Downtown Tempe Lofts, Townhomes, & Condos market. Please give us a call so we can show you that "Life is in the heart of the city"! www.UrbanRealtyAZ.com 06/19/2008

5th Street Lofts Downtown Tempe Mill Avenue District, 7 condominium units, built in 2007, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1339 to 1760 sq ft,, prices starting at $482,000. Three story loft space with spacious nine foot ceilings, first floor office or den space,private garage parking,distributed audio visual system, high speed internet/CATV, private master retreat, private porch and two balconies for each unit.  Free downtown shuttle, stops every fifteen minutes UrbanLiving360 - Downtown Tempe Lofts, High-rises, and Unique Condominiums 06/16/2008

Why live in Downtown Tempe? There are so many reasons to make Downtown Tempe the place you Live, Work & Play!  We’ve created this video to present only a few. For much more, contact Urban Realty & Development.  Created by city people for city people, urban living is not only our specialty, it’s our passion!  We live, work & play in the heart of Downtown Tempe and we look forward to sharing that passion with you. Urban Realty & Development is ready to show you that “Life is in the heart of the city!” Click here to view Video: Downtown Tempe Condo and Loft Lifestyle Video Would you like to live or work in Downtown Tempe?  Call an Urban Real Estate Broker who actually lives & works in Downtown Tempe!Feel free to contact us at our live/work loft in downtown Tempe. www.UrbanRealtyAZ.com Tom ... 06/09/2008

CHIPOTLE COMING TO MILL AVENUEJune 2, 2008Chipotle, the slick, quick organic mexican food joint that has been sweeping the nation for the last few years is finally coming to Mill Avenue.  Located at the corner of 11th Street and Mill Avenue, it won't exactly be in the heart of the downtown, but that is ok.  It is still "walkable" from most downtown residences and it will have ample parking for those who don't want to walk.  (For Tempe residents, the new Chipotle space used to be the Brueggers Bagels.)  This is another fantastic restaurant addition for the Mill Avenue District and I'm sure it will be very successful!Chipotle under construction on Mill Avenue UPDATE:  CHIPOTLE ON MILL SHOULD BE OPEN BY OCTOBER 2008! Would you like to live or work in Downtown Tempe?  Call an Urban Real Est... 06/08/2008

Tempe AZ Real Estate-Single Family Homes-Market Statistics May 2008 Current Listings: 520 New Listings: 145 Pending Sales: 110 Sold Homes: 117 The average sales price fell from $303,735 to $270,275 a decrease of 12%. Tempe AZ Real Estate- Average Sales Price-May 2008     MORE... 06/05/2008

We all know that location is a big part of determining a properties "value." In today's paper, there is an article titled "Chandler may expand bus route from Tempe."  Part of the article says.. "According to a transportation study released earlier this year, more than 60,000 people travel between central Chandler and Tempe every day for school, business, shopping or dining" With gas at four bucks a gallon, many commuters are taking the bus or even biking to work.  In communities where this is possible, I believe you will see much higher appreciation, in the near term than other parts of the valley. Back in December of 06' I mentioned my belief that with "the struggles and inventory issues of Queen Creek, Maricopa and some of the outlying areas, there may be a shift to properties with ea... 06/05/2008

Funny how some topics tend to pop up in abundance every once in a while. For me, the topic of gardening has been raised by more than a few people lately. Recently, I spoke with some friends in Scottsdale that have been growing vegetables, herbs etc in their back yard. With the rising price of fruits and vegetables, it seems like they are probably not alone. The reasons for gardening can be many. From saving a few bucks to enjoying a hobby to doing your part in "saving the earth." My uncle is president of a local gardening club so I occasionally get to talk to him about what the "green thumbed" people are up to. A few days ago, I read a post by my friend, Chuck Willman titled "How Does Your Garden Grow" where I was introduced to a web site called MyFolia. This site appears to have a ton ... 06/04/2008

If you have followed the real estate market and lending environment for the last 12 months, than you probably know that mortgage lenders have become quite strict on their mortgage guidelines. The banks just do not have the money or resources to take any chances on what they deem as a margin loan.  I have clients that are referred to me that sometimes I just cannot help.  Usually I cannot help them because of credit problems. Once I work up a complete analysis of their situation, it usually boils down to the fact that they just have not paid their creditors in the past and are not currently paying their creditors on time. So, here is the best advice I can give anyone who is looking to buy a home in the next 12 months.  "Start Paying Your Creditors on Time".  If your current creditors are... 05/29/2008

FEATURED PROPERTY FOR RENT: The Lofts at Orchidhouse Live/Work Property  Live & Work at this Lofts at Orchidhouse 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom, 1,229 s.f., 11ft Ceilings, loft style exposed ductwork, concrete ceilings. Fantastic urban location in the heart of downtown Tempe close to shopping, restaurants, walk to ASU, Tempe Town Lake and everything else downtown Tempe has to offer! Offered at $1,995 per month. Call or email for more information. Urban Realty & Development, provides full service real estate sales, leasing, consulting and developer services to those who, like us, are looking for their very own home in the modern world. Whether that "home" is a minimalist sanctuary in the penthouse suite, an industrial style office space with exposed ductwork and concrete floors, or a hip new ... 05/25/2008

3rd Annual Walk for Lupus Now   Saturday, October 25th 2008 3rd Annual Walk for Lupus Now 5k Run and Family Fun Walk Kiwanis Park in Tempe Visit www.lupusarizona.org for More Information Or Call 602.870.7622 Help make it a great day for Lupus Awareness! The purpose of the Walk is to raise the funds necessary to provide services to people with lupus and their families, to provide education to the public, patients and healthcare professionals, to advance the Lupus Foundation of America’s research priorities, and to advocate for people with lupus at the local, state and federal levels   Walk for Lupus Now is a non competitive event that will take place in more than 50 communities nationwide in 2008  Support for the Walk is raised through corporate sponsorship and individuals who ask for su... 05/23/2008

May 14, 2008Coming this Fall, downtown Tempe condo residents will be in "7th Heaven"- literally.  That is, once the new "7th Heaven" Deli, breakfast, and Eatery opens it's doors on Mill Avenue.  Not only will we have a great sandwich spot on Mill Avenue, but we will also have a place for breakfast once again. This is really good news for the "waffles for dinner" types too, since they serve breakfast all day! 7th Heaven Eatery Coming Soon Banner on Mill AvenueWould you like to live or work in Downtown Tempe?  Call an Urban Real Estate Broker who actually lives & works in Downtown Tempe!Feel free to contact us at our live/work loft in downtown Tempe.Urban Realty would love an opportunity to share with you what we know about urban living and help you find your own "life in the heart of the... 05/14/2008

May 12, 2008The City of Tempe consistently exhibits why their downtown is the best urban living location in the Valley of the Sun.  By simply manipulating an alley way behind the downtown Post Office, they have created additional retail space which will soon become a boutique convenience store.  The space, which up until recently was just the "back end" of the post office, will now be "re-used" into another great service business for downtown Tempe condo residents.  Look for more "alley conversions" in downtown Tempe as land becomes more and more scarce and adaptive re-uses are a success. *BLOG UPDATED HERE* Downtown Tempe Alley Conversion Convenience Store service coming soon for downtown Tempe condo residents   Would you like to live or work in Downtown Tempe?  Call an Urban Real Esta... 05/12/2008

We had reported the development of Pier 202 on the south bank of Tempe Town Lake. Well, now a new player, Scottsdale based The Wolf Co., has purchased a majority partnership interest in the project and has renamed the project South Bank. The Wolf Co paid $43 million in late August for its position. The previous owner had paid $42.5 million to the City of Tempe for the piece about three months prior. South Bank is a 27 acre, 3.6 million squre foot, mixed use development to include approximately 2.2 million square feet of residential condos and apartments, 889,000 square feet of office space, 260,000 square feet of retail, and 170,000 square feet of hotel space. A center plaza opening to the waterfront is planned, which will be lined with restaurants and a park. South Bank will also featu... 05/08/2008

ALOFT STARTS CONSTRUCTION IN DOWNTOWN TEMPEThe hip, younger brother to the Starwood W Hotel brand is starting to evolve on the northshore of Tempe Town Lake in downtown Tempe. For those not aware of the "aloft" hotel concept, this blurb was taken directly from a Starwood press release, "Infused with the DNA of W Hotels, aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude. Starwood anticipates the first aloft hotels to open in 2008, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012."Planned for completion in April/May of 2009, we are sure this hotel lobby, lounge and bar will be the buzz of Tempe!  That is, until the next hot spot opens.  With the huge growth in Downtown Tempe (Lumina, etc.) we know that won't take very lon... 05/08/2008

May 6, 2008As a downtown Tempe resident, I can't help but be excited about the new CVS Pharmacy currently under construction at the corner of University & Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe.  Every day I see the property I smile at the thought of walking to the corner for the little things that don't require a full blown trip to the grocery store.  I smile because I know what a convenience it will be for me to walk just a couple short blocks down Mill Avenue for whatever my wife may need that particular day.  I smile because downtown Tempe is evolving into such a great place to live!Obviously, prescriptions will be nice to have close by, but I'm much more excited for the boutique convenience store that will save downtown Tempe residents time and gas money.  I know it isn't a "Whole Foods", b... 05/06/2008

I have this parenting magazine that is absolutely incredible.  Raising Kids Arizona just gives parents ideas and tips...especially for the weekend.One event that I paid attention to was the GREEK Festival, I have to admit I've never been but it sounds like alot of fun and as a family, we love Greek food, wine (parents do!  :))   and music.Greek Festival  -  for further informationFestival Hours Friday, May 2nd from 11am - 11pmSaturday, May 3rd from 11am - 11pmSunday, May 4th from 11am - 7pmTempe Town Lake  -  Mill Avenue & Rio Salado ParkwayAdmissionAdmission - $2.00Children 12 and under - FreeSenior Citizens - $1.00Free Admission daily from 11:00am to 2:00pm Just an idea for the weekend...I've never been but I hope it's alot of fun.  Please for those of you let me know how it was.  I'm... 05/01/2008

Earlier this week, the developer of Centerpoint Condominiums, Ken Losch of Avenue Communities unveiled his vision for Hayden Flour Mill to the Tempe's Mayor, Hugh Hallman.  Similarly, building permits for the project were recently approved, making way for the development to start construction this summer.Located on the southeast corner of Rio Salado Drive and Mill Avenue in Downtown Tempe, sits the vacant historic mill silo and factory that dates back to 1874.  While it hasn't been used for decades, Losch has been formulating a vision that will transform the historic structure into a work of art.  The first phase, which will include retail and office, will snake around the silo.  Soon, plans for phase two, which will convert the silo tower into a boutique hotel will be approved and hous... 05/01/2008

Earlier this week, applicants of the M7 project, located on the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Tempe requested for a PAD overlay to let them go vertical, all the way up to 300+ feet. The property was originally supposed to house a Marriot Sports Club Hotel, which is now proposed for a different location.M7 could potentially have 3 towers on the 1.73-acre lot. A 17-story hotel tower consisting of 240 rooms, as well as two 26-story residential towers boasting 370 units. To fit all of this on the lot, it will require the developers to demolish a few buildings that extend from the vacant lot on the corner all the way east to Myrtle Ave. There is a series of old, dilapidated single or two-story buildings in this small area of Tempe, that in due time, will be compl... 05/01/2008

The Arizona Business Gazette reported not too long ago that Andrew Zlotnik successfully incorporated a new business called Lumina Condominium Owners Association at 323 E. Veterans Way, Tempe 85281 (right across the street almost from Sun Devil Stadium).  This is significant as it is one more example that plans to build the high rise condominium tower, Lumina appear to be moving forward. 05/01/2008

Every year the Tempe Rotary Clubs organize a card board boat race on Tempe Town Lake. This year was the 9th annual race and dozens of teams competed. Girl scout troop 1386 was sponsored by Patrick Walsh.  If you look closely you can see his name on the middle panel! Way to go girls.... If 04/25/2008