Westgate City Center

Infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Westgate City Center


image_width =
caption =
location = Glendale, Arizona
opening_date = November 15, 2006
closing_date =
developer = The Ellman Companies
manager =
owner =
number_of_stores =
number_of_anchors =
floor_area = 508,000 sq ft (current)
6,500,000 sq ft (projected)
floors =
parking =
website = www.westgateaz.com

The Westgate City Center is the name of a mixed-use development located in Glendale, Arizona. It is described as a super-regional [cite web|url=http://www.glendaleaz.com/planning/documents/101factsheet2-8-07.pdf|title=Glendale Avenue and Loop 101 Corridor Facts|publisher=City of Glendale|format=PDF] destination for shopping, entertainment, commercial office and luxury residential. Anchored by the Jobing.com Arena, home of the NHL team the Phoenix Coyotes, the complex is planned to eventually feature convert|6500000|sqft|m2 of retail space [cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/1115gl-westgatebloc15Z5.html|title =Wait for Westgate City Center over|publisher=The Arizona Republic] and become one of the premier entertainment destinations in the region, attracting a projected 22 million visitors annually after completion. [cite journal|url=http://www.shoppingcenterbusiness.com/articles/MAY06/story44.shtml|last = Gloski|first=Brianne|title=Best in the West|journal=Shopping Center Business|date = May 2006|accessdate=2007-05-04]

Development

Development of the Westgate City Center began with the construction of the Jobing.com Arena, then referred to as the Glendale Arena. Construction of the arena was completed in late 2003 and it hosted its first NHL game on December 27 of that same year, while construction of the remainder of Westgate did not begin until October 2005.

The project has been split into multiple phases to facilitate construction and development. Phase I, the initial convert|510000|sqft|m2|-3|sing=on development, opened to the public on November 17, 2006 in limited fashion with only a few restaurants and a sports merchandise store, with other retailers, restaurants and a 20-screen theater opening in the following weeks. [cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1117westgate1117.html|title= Westgate opens in Glendale|last = Wong|first=Scott|date=November 17, 2006|publisher=The Arizona Republic] Phase I also includes an upmarket 12-story Renaissance Hotel completed in mid 2007, and a convention center, as well as outdoor entertainment facilities.

Phase II, projected for completion in 2008, will add an estimated convert|436000|sqft|m2|-2|sing=on retail destination center and convert|105000|sqft|m2|-2 of "neighborhood retail" to be integrated into a 440-unit residential district. [cite journal|url=http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6418308.html|title=Growth Booming In Valley Of The Sun|last=Ertter|first=Terry|journal=Rocky Mountain Construction|date=February 26, 2007] Construction on phase II is underway.

The development of future phases will be contingent upon market demand and is yet to be scheduled, although estimated completion dates range from 2010 [cite journal|url=http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/sct1104/focus_texassw_4.php|title=WESTGATE BRINGS VEGAS GLITZ TO GLENDALE, ARIZ.|first=Debra|last= Hazel|journal=Shopping Centers Today] to 2015 at a potential total cost of $1 billion. [cite journal|url=http://www.realestatejournal.com/propertyreport/newsandtrends/20061017-herrick.html|first = Thaddeus|last= Herrick|journal=Real Estate Journal|title=Cities Construct Sports Arenas With Neighborhoods to Match]

Attractions

The center was built around the Jobing.com arena, which is its primary attraction. Although not a part of the development, the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, is located directly adjacent to the development. Management of both Westgate and the University of Phoenix Stadium have cited their proximity as creating a synergistic boon to the area. [cite news|url=http://www.universityofphoenixstadium.com/ArDisplay.aspx?ID=323&SecID=85|title= Office tenants at Westgate begin moving in|first=Sherry Anne |last=Rubiano|date = January 27, 2007|publisher=The Arizona Republic]

Adjaceant to the Jobing.com Arena and central to the project is an events plaza featuring decorative fountains and a massive complex of outdoor signage as well as outdoors entertainment venues. Cooperating with media giant Clear Channel Communications, the development includes 30 large electronic signs, some in excess of 100 feet (30 m). The agglomeration of electronic signage and media boards, said to be the largest "Media & Signage District" west of Times Square [cite journal|title=Westgate City Center to Be Home to Largest ``Media & Signage District" West of Times Square|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2006_June_12/ai_n16463622|publisher=Business Wire|date=June 12, 2006] has earned it the nickname "Times Square of the Desert" [cite web|url=http://adage.com/mediaworks/article.php?article_id=109921|title=Clear Channel Builds Times Square of the Desert|publisher=Advertising Age]

Establishments

Westgate boasts many resturaunts:Which Wich,Mo's,Johnny Rocket's,Cold Stone Creamery,Coffee Plantation,Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville,Motu's Hawaiian Lunch Plates,The Yard House,Kabuki Japanese Bistro,Hell's Half Acre,The Shout House,Saddle Ranch Chophouse,Fox Sports Grill,Sweet'O Chocolate Bistro,and stores:Fossil,Storkroom Kiosk,Asian Goods Kiosk,Travel Kiosk,Puma,Sketchers,Quiksilver,Motu's Tahitian Spa,Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Gift Shop,Sports Cards Kiosk,McFarlane,The Sports Shop,Runway Royalty,Cherie,

The plaza also features a 60,000 gallon (227,000 liter) "dancing fountain" display, costing some $5 million to construct. The fountain was inspired by the more elaborate display at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas and has been described as "Bellagio-esque." [cite journal|url=http://www.themcgareygroup.com/02.4.1-News_Items/04.3-yr05-m05-Scoring%20Big.pdf|format=PDF|first =Randall|last=Shearin|journal=Shopping Center Business|title=Scoring Big|date=May 2005]

Events

As home of the Jobing.com arena a number of events are held at the Westgate city center. However, the center itself has been the host of a number of events independent of the arena. Westgate hosted the Westgate Rocks New Year's event on December 31, 2006, the first major New Year's block party to be featured on Phoenix's west side. An estimated 7,500 people attended the party. [cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/0103gl-westgate03Z18.html|date=January 3, 2007|title=Westgate rocks with revelers|first=Carrie |last=Watters|publisher=The Arizona Republic]

Westgate has also become home to a number of smaller scale block parties to cheer on local American Idol contestant Jordin Sparks. Recent block parties related to the show have drawn over 700 people. [cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0501gl-sparks0501-ON.html|title=Jordin mania only growing stronger|first=Erin |last=Zlomek|date=May 1, 2007|publisher=The Arizona Republic]

References

External links

* [http://www.westgateaz.com Westgate's official website]