Tempe is looking for a developer to build housing, a hotel and event space next to a historic building downtown.
Built in 1888, Hackett House at Fourth Street and Mill Avenue is headquarters for the Tempe Sister Cities organization — the group and the building must remain untouched, said Mike DiDomenico, the city’s economic development director.
“We’re hoping for creativity from the development community,” he said. “We're looking for something that just wows us, and, you know, is respectful of the historic homes that will be immediately adjacent to the west of the new construction, and also serves the needs of Tempe Sister Cities, their organization.”
Tempe wants to see proposals for a 12- to 15-story building with about a hundred housing units, ground floor retail, event space with a commercial kitchen and a boutique hotel.
“It has some of the elements that a full service hotel would have,” DiDomenico said. “For example, we would hope to see bar and restaurant space as a part of it. The hotel could utilize and make use of this event space for small conferences and meetings. Would not necessarily have a full pool or spa or may or may not have rooftop amenities.”
The site is less than a half-acre and is currently used as event space by Tempe Sisters Cities and a public parking lot.
Proposals are due to Tempe by September 6. Questions can be directed to Tempe Economic Development Deputy Director [email protected] at 480-815-5938.
