1. As an architect, some days are just simply better
than others with ground breaking ceremonies and
grand openings usually being the best days you
can count on. The new UL2 (Urban Living on 2nd
Avenue) apartment building in downtown Phoenix
held it’s official gala grand opening ribbon cutting
ceremony to great fanfare this week and which I
am proud to be the Sr. designer on the
architectural team that helped to produce this
exciting project. The event was very well attended
by the media, the neighborhood, politicians and
everyone involved in the building process. It’s really
quite remarkable to see just how many individuals
and organizations it takes to bring a project of this
scope to fruition. It may take a village to raise a
child but it also seems to take that whole village to
build a building! The entire project team including
the client, the contractor, the financial
institutions, attorneys, various governmental
agencies as well as the architects worked together
tirelessly for more than 3 years to bring this building
out of the ground. A true test of
endurance, fortitude and delayed gratification!

2. Located in Phoenix's historic Roosevelt neighborhood, this 4-story, 70-unit podium apartment project is
comprised of loft studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments many of which also include
porches, decks and patios. A generous central common apartment courtyard located on top of the
podium level boasts a playground, BBQs and several relaxing landscaped oasis areas culminating on
the north end with a large 3-story opening that looks onto the neighborhood. This huge courtyard
opening is framed by an overhead bridge of apartment units above that provides shade to a formal
plaza area below which served nicely as the venue for the grand opening ribbon cutting event.
Beautiful long distance views of the surrounding mountains and dramatic city skyline can also be
enjoyed from an outdoor fourth floor observation lounge accessed by an inviting central stairway to
promote energy savings through less elevator usage. In addition to it's environmentally conscious LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification (pending) this project also
features luxury amenities such as a community room, coffee/beverage bar, movie theater, TV/media
lounge, secured garage parking including bicycle storage and fitness center. But what’s really quite
unique about these amenities is that some are located right along the street level to enliven the
pedestrian experience as prescribed by the new City of Phoenix Downtown Zoning Ordinance and will
also be available for neighborhood events as well as educational programs. These street level
amenities perform the additional design duty of wrapping around the grade level covered podium
parking garage to shield it from public view and with alley-only vehicular access it further reduces any
pedestrian disruption by eliminating unnecessary driveways. Even more remarkable is that this new UL2
apartment project is an affordable housing community!

3. The UL2 apartment building is the result of the federal
tax-credit program to promote the construction of
affordable housing units. This project will help to
revitalize both the Roosevelt neighborhood and
downtown Phoenix while also allowing it’s residents
the opportunity of living without a car due to it’s
close proximity to public transportation and the light
rail system. This Transportation Oriented Development
(TOD) benefits further from construction incentives
that promote livable walking communities while
reducing automobile dependence and it’s
associated impacts. And while I must admit it's really
great to hang out with dedicated individuals and
the Mayor who all share a great vision for the future
of Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun, my real
personal job satisfaction will begin quietly in the
coming weeks as the new residents begin to make
the UL2 their home. Starting a new life in a proud
established neighborhood while making Phoenix a
better more sustainable place to live one building at
a time!