Two notable new buildings are under construction in Scottsdale: one at SkySong, ASU's Scottsdale Innovation Center, and the brand new OdySea Aquarium. Both are bringing the best of air and water to the Pima 101 corridor.
Developers recently broke ground on SkySong4, the fourth office building at SkySong, a high-tech office park built on the former Los Arcos Mall site at McDowell and Scottsdale roads. The park is a collaboration between ASU, the city of Scottsdale, and Plaza Cos.
Already, Arizona State University and New York-based software firm Booker have signed on to lease space when the 145,000-square-foot space opens next September. SkySong 1 and 2, which were completed in 2008, and SkySong 3, which opened earlier this year, are both nearly fully leased. The project is sure to add a significant number of high tech jobs to the already growing sector.
The OdySea Aquarium is set to make an even bigger economic impact. Construction began in March on the 200,000-square-foot aquarium that is set to open in July 2016 on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community next to Butterfly Wonderland off Via de Ventura. At this point, the walls are up, and crews are installing the life support system needed to maintain the marine life.
When it opens, the facility will be able to accommodate 15,000 daily visitors who will not only come to see the marine life but also to ride the planned 180-foot Ferris wheel, experience indoor skydiving, and ride Sea Trek, which will take them on a “deep ocean” dive.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community also plans to add an adjacent 78,000-square-foot retail center, called The Shops at OdySea. There is also some speculation that the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks could eventually play in new sports facilities near Butterfly Wonderland and the aquarium. This is another project that will make a significant impact in terms of job growth and revenue, even without the relocation of the sports teams.
Want to live near these attractions and the hiking trails, boutique shops, and other amenities that make Scottsdale so desirable? Give me a call today to chat about your needs and all the exciting new projects going up in our great city.
