Artist’s rendering courtesy of Hubbard Street Group
The Tempe City Council has given the green light to two significant multifamily developments that are set to add nearly 500 new apartment units to the city’s burgeoning housing market.
On September 7, in separate decisions, the council endorsed The Marshall at Tempe and Skye Tempe, projects which are expected to deliver 189 and 281 units, respectively. Both projects underwent reviews before receiving their final approvals, reflecting the city’s commitment to thoughtful urban growth.
Located at 1057 E. Apache Blvd., The Marshall, backed by New Jersey’s Aptitude Development, aims to transform the existing 72-room Sleep Inn & Suites close to Arizona State University. With seven floors planned, The Marshall promises a mix of 12 one-bedroom, 82 two-bedroom, 15 three-bedroom, and 59 four-bedroom apartments. In addition, residents and visitors can look forward to 1,800 square feet of retail space at street level. This development was given the nod unanimously by the council.
However, it was the Skye Tempe project that generated considerable discussion. Slated to rise to a lofty 27 stories at 780 S. Myrtle Ave., this development by Chicago’s Hubbard Street Group will rank amongst Tempe’s tallest structures once completed. To provide a comparison, the current tallest edifice in the city, West 6th Street Apartments, comprises two towers with heights of 22 and 30 stories.
Despite its architectural promise, Skye Tempe faced challenges in its approval process. Concerns regarding the building’s height, parking provisions in such a densely packed area, and the logistics of pick-up and drop-off zones for rideshare and delivery users resulted in a narrow 4-3 approval vote.
Skye Tempe’s residential offering is set to consist of 51 studio apartments, 170 one-bedroom units, 59 two-bedroom residences, and a singular three-bedroom unit. Boosting its appeal as a mixed-use project, the development will feature a sizeable 6,650 square-foot commercial space, envisioned to house an on-site retail “market.”
Both projects share a common thread in their representation, with land-use attorney Nick Wood of Snell & Wilmer guiding them through the city’s approval process.
The approvals signify a confident stride in Tempe’s urban development journey, promising residents an infusion of housing options and reaffirming the city’s position as a rising star in Arizona’s real estate sector.
