Westgate Entertainment District

Last updated
Westgate Entertainment District
Westgate Entertainment District
Location Glendale, Arizona
Coordinates 33°32′1″N112°15′43″W / 33.53361°N 112.26194°W / 33.53361; -112.26194
Opening dateNovember 15, 2006
ArchitectDevelopment Design Group (DDG), The Davis Experience
Total retail floor area 508,000 sq ft (47,200 m2) (current)
8,000,000 sq ft (740,000 m2) (projected)
Website westgateaz.com

Westgate Entertainment District, formerly known as "Westgate City Center" is a mixed-use development in Glendale, Arizona. Westgate is described as a super-regional [1] destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and commercial offices. Funded by millionaire New York architect Ron Elsensohn and anchored by the Desert Diamond Arena, the former home of the NHL team Arizona Coyotes, the complex has 8,000,000 sq ft (740,000 m2) of retail space [2] and is one of the premier entertainment destinations in the region, attracting over 22 million visitors annually. [3] In 2011, the property went into foreclosure and reverted to lenders. The shopping center was reopened under the name Westgate Entertainment District, operated by Vestar Capital Partners, which also manages other properties in the Phoenix area.

Contents

Development

Glendale Arizona's Westgate Entertainment District is a 223-acre (0.90 km2), mixed-used development that was originally proposed to include 8,000,000 square feet (740,000 m2) of shopping, dining, entertainment, high-end condominiums, parks, and office space. It is anchored by Desert Diamond Arena, former home of the Arizona Coyotes, and next to State Farm Stadium, home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the Fiesta Bowl and host of Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LVII.

State Farm Stadium is adjacent to Westgate. University of Phoenix Stadium no field.jpg
State Farm Stadium is adjacent to Westgate.

Development of Westgate Entertainment District began with the construction of the Desert Diamond 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's Entertainment District began in October 2005, opening one year later. The Coyotes played their final game in Glendale on April 29, 2022, and rallied from a 4 goal deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 5 to 4.

The project has been split into multiple phases to facilitate construction and development. Phase I, the initial 510,000-square-foot (47,000 m2) 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. [4] Phase I also includes an upmarket 12-story Renaissance Hotel completed in mid-2007, and a convention center, as well as outdoor entertainment facilities. Westgate Entertainment District is now home to more than 30 bars and restaurants as well as a mix of national, regional and local retailers.

Phase II was proposed to add an estimated 436,000-square-foot (40,500 m2) retail destination center and 105,000 square feet (9,800 m2) of "neighborhood retail" to be integrated into a 440-unit residential district. [5]

As of 2022 only a Dave and Busters and some hotels and restaurants have been completed on the perimeter of the Westgate Entertainment District. The development of future phases will be contingent upon market demand and is yet to be scheduled, although original estimated completion dates ranged from 2010 [6] to 2015 at a potential total cost of $1 billion. [7]

Foreclosure

In June 2011, the Westgate Entertainment District development received notices of foreclosure. Part of the reason given for the foreclosure was the uncertainty around the Phoenix Coyotes since the team filed bankruptcy in 2009. The Center remained open. The Steve Ellman companies attempted to reschedule debt on the Center to prevent part or all of the Center from being be sold to settle debt to lenders. Ellman acquired Westgate in 2006 by swapping his ownership in the Coyotes for Jerry Moyes' ownership share of Westgate. Ellman had moved the Coyotes to Glendale in 2003 from the Footprint Center after failing to get an arena built at the former Los Arcos Mall in Scottsdale. [8] Two auctions were scheduled for foreclosed Entertainment District properties. The first auction, held on September 19, 2011, is for properties securing a $97.5 million loan from iStar Financial. The auction failed to sell at a reserve price of $40 million, and the 33 acres (13 ha) property has become the property of iStar Financial. [9] A second auction was held on November 3, 2011, for properties securing a $202 million loan from Credit Suisse. [10] This is for 95 acres (38 ha), which is currently mostly parking lots. [9] No bidder came forward to purchase the properties for the minimum $25 million price, and the properties were retained by Credit Suisse. [11]

In November 2011, iStar Financial named Vestar Development Company as the new property managers of the complex. At the time, Westgate retail space was 75% leased and office space 50% leased. Vestar is charged with improving the occupancy rate and improving "foot traffic on non-peak days when the arenas are dark". iStar intends to hold onto Westgate for the long-term, and is not looking for a new owner of the property. [12]

Attractions

Desert Diamond Arena Glendale-arena.jpg
Desert Diamond Arena

Westgate was built around Desert Diamond Arena, which is its primary attraction. Although not a part of the development, State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, is located directly adjacent to the development. Management of both Westgate and State Farm Stadium have cited their proximity as creating a synergistic boom to the area. [13] Although not within Westgate's borders, the camping, fishing, and hunting retailer Cabela's can be found adjacent to the development and draws visitors to the Westgate Entertainment District each year.

Next to the arena and central to the project is WaterDance Plaza, an events plaza featuring a 60,000-US-gallon (230,000 L; 50,000 imp gal) "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.". [14]

Cooperating with media giant Clear Channel Communications, the development also 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 [15] has earned it the nickname "Times Square of the West." [16]

Events

As home of the Gila River Arena, a number of events are held at Westgate Entertainment District. Often visitors waiting for events such as concerts, conventions, and sports held in the arenas will spend time in Westgate while waiting for the events to begin. The Center itself is the host of a number of independent events. Westgate hosted its first major event, Westgate Rocks on December 31, 2006, the first premiere New Year's block party to be featured on Phoenix's west side. An estimated 7,500 people attended the party. [17] In addition, Westgate is home to the annual AVP pro volleyball tournament, Action Sports extreme sporting events, Miller Lite Tailgate Parties before Cardinals home games, monthly farmers markets, live entertainment in Fountain Park, and high-end art exhibitions. A small comedy club, Stir Crazy Comedy Club, joined Westgate in 2017. [18]

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. [19]

The New Year's Eve block party tradition ended in 2011, when the new property managers announced that it would not be held on December 31, 2011. The managers would support restaurants and bars that held parties. The managers increased December holiday events instead. [20]

Westgateground.jpg
Panoramic view of Westgate City Center from the ground level.
Westgateupper.jpg
Panoramic view of Westgate City Center from the upper level.

2020 shooting

On May 20, 2020, a shooting took place at the Westgate Entertainment District. The gunman, armed with a rifle, shot and injured two people in front of a restaurant, fired additional shots, and then shot a third person in a parking lot. He then surrendered to responding police officers. [21] [22] The victims were a 19-year-old man who was critically wounded, a 16-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening condition and a 30-year-old woman who did not require hospitalization. [23]

The gunman was identified as Armando Hernandez Jr., a 20-year-old man from Peoria. He filmed the attack with a cellphone in his left hand while shooting with his right. [23] After his arrest, he was taken to a Maricopa County, Arizona, jail and charged with 16 felonies. [24] Some news reports claimed that he identified as an incel and was deliberately targeting romantic couples. [25] In July 2022, he was sentenced to 44 years in prison.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix, Arizona</span> Capital of Arizona, United States

Phoenix is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1,608,139 residents as of 2020. It is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous state capital in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona Coyotes</span> National Hockey League team in Tempe, Arizona

The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play at Mullett Arena in Tempe. They first played at America West Arena in downtown Phoenix from 1996 to 2003 and then played at Glendale's Gila River Arena from 2003 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glendale, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Located about nine miles northwest of the state capital Phoenix, Glendale is known for State Farm Stadium, which is the home of the Arizona Cardinals football team. The city also contains the Arrowhead Towne Center shopping mall. As of the 2020 census, Glendale had a population of 248,325.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peoria, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Peoria is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. Most of the city is located in Maricopa County, while a portion of it in the north is in Yavapai County. It is a major suburb of Phoenix. As of the 2020 census, the population of Peoria was 190,985, up from 154,065 in 2010. It is the sixth-largest city in Arizona in land area and the ninth-largest in population. It was named after Peoria, Illinois. The word peoria is a corruption of the Miami-Illinois word for "prairie fire". It is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, who share the Peoria Sports Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottsdale, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, and is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Named Scottsdale in 1894 after its founder Winfield Scott, a retired U.S. Army chaplain, the city was incorporated in 1951 with a population of 2,000. At the 2020 census, the population was 241,361, which had grown from 217,385 in 2010. Its slogan is "The West's Most Western Town". Over the past two decades, it has been one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tempe, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2020 population of 180,587. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community on the north, Chandler on the south, and Mesa on the east. Tempe is also the location of the main campus of Arizona State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Footprint Center</span> Multipurpose sports arena in Phoenix, Arizona

Footprint Center is a multi-purpose arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It opened under the name America West Arena on June 6, 1992 at a cost of $89 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Diamond Arena</span> Multi-purpose arena in Glendale, Arizona

Desert Diamond Arena is an indoor multi-purpose entertainment arena located in Glendale, Arizona. The venue anchors the 223-acre, $1 billion Westgate Entertainment District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kierland Commons</span> Shopping mall in Phoenix, Arizona, US

Kierland Commons is a lifestyle center in Phoenix, Arizona, adjacent to Scottsdale, Arizona which is used for the center's mailing addresses. The mixed-use development is centered on a "Main Street" feel and composed mostly of outdoor retail shops with residential units above and adjoining residential tower.

Fiesta Mall is a former shopping mall in Mesa, Arizona, United States. Opened in 1979 after nine years of development, it was built by Homart Development Company, the former shopping mall development division of the department store Sears. Sears was the first anchor store to open in the mall, doing so in 1977. Also present as anchor stores were The Broadway and Goldwater's, with Diamond's following in 1980. The mall began experiencing declines in traffic following the opening of Arizona Mills in 1997, and saw numerous anchor store and inline tenancy changes. After a long period of decline, it was shuttered in January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Arcos Mall</span> Shopping mall in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The District at Green Valley Ranch</span> Place

The District at Green Valley Ranch is a mixed-use development in Green Valley Ranch, a neighborhood in the city of Henderson, Nevada. It is located east of the Green Valley Ranch hotel-casino, and includes retail, restaurant, office, and residential space. The District, like the resort, was developed by American Nevada Corporation. Planning for a mixed-use project dates to 1996, as part of the resort plans.

Desert Ridge Marketplace is a super-regional shopping mall located just off the Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard in North Phoenix, Arizona. It was built by Vestar Development Co. and opened in December 2001. The mall has a gross leasable area of 1.2 million square feet. The mall was targeted at upscale residents of the north East Valley, and of Scottsdale, a five-minute drive from the mall via the freeway.

The Desert Ridge master-planned community comprises 5,700 acres and is situated in the Northeast Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. As one of Arizona’s largest master-planned communities, Desert Ridge could contain more than 50,000 residents. The community includes CityNorth, Toscana of Desert Ridge, Desert Ridge Marketplace, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Mayo Clinic Hospital and American Express regional campus.

Maryvale Mall, originally known as Maryvale Shopping City, was a shopping mall in the Maryvale area of Phoenix, Arizona that, for a time, was the biggest shopping mall between Dallas, Texas and the West Coast.

Colvin Central Plaza was a large strip mall in Albany, NY along Central Avenue, a major business and shopping area of the New York State Capital Region. For this area, it was significant as it was over 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) and was initially opened in 1981. It survived in this form for two decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy and sale</span> Legal issues of the professional ice hockey team

The Phoenix Coyotes, a professional ice hockey team now known as the Arizona Coyotes and playing in the National Hockey League (NHL), filed for bankruptcy in 2009 after incurring several hundred million dollars of losses since their move to Phoenix, Arizona from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they were known as the Winnipeg Jets. Bankruptcy court rejected a plan to sell the team and move it to Canada, and the team was purchased by the NHL. The NHL operated the team in Phoenix for four seasons while seeking a new owner. After several prospective purchases fell through, the team was finally sold in the summer of 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GCU Arena</span> Entertainment facility in Arizona, United States

Grand Canyon University Arena is a 7,000-seat, 135,000-square-foot (12,500 m2) multi-purpose entertainment and athletics facility in Phoenix, Arizona, owned and operated by Grand Canyon University. The arena is the home of Grand Canyon University Lopes men's and women's basketball teams, men's and women's volleyball teams and other university events.

Northern Crossing, formerly Valley West Mall from 1973 to 1996 and Manistee Town Center from 1996 to 2000, is a shopping mall south of Northern Avenue between 55th and 59th Avenues in Glendale, Arizona, United States. Built in 1973 as an enclosed shopping mall, it was turned into a power center in 2000 after years of decline. Northern Crossing is a power center whose anchor stores are Walmart and Lowe's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Tempe Arena</span> Proposed arena in Tempe, Arizona

The New Tempe Arena was a proposed sports facility to be constructed in Tempe, Arizona which would have served as home arena for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). This was part of a conceptual $1.7 billion Tempe Entertainment District. The proposal also included hotels, retail, apartments, and a theater. It was rejected by Tempe voters on May 16, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Glendale Avenue and Loop 101 Corridor Facts" (PDF). City of Glendale.
  2. ↑ "Wait for Westgate City Center over". The Arizona Republic.
  3. ↑ Gloski, Brianne (May 2006). "Best in the West". Shopping Center Business. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  4. ↑ Wong, Scott (November 17, 2006). "Westgate opens in Glendale". The Arizona Republic.
  5. ↑ Ertter, Terry (February 26, 2007). "Growth Booming In Valley Of The Sun". Rocky Mountain Construction. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
  6. ↑ Hazel, Debra. "WESTGATE BRINGS VEGAS GLITZ TO GLENDALE, ARIZ". Shopping Centers Today.
  7. ↑ Herrick, Thaddeus. "Cities Construct Sports Arenas With Neighborhoods to Match". Real Estate Journal.
  8. ↑ Sunnucks, Mike (June 20, 2011). "Westgate City Center in Glendale facing foreclosure". Phoenix Business Journal.
  9. 1 2 Sanders, Rebekah L. (September 20, 2011). "Part of Glendale Westgate City Center repossessed by lender". Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  10. ↑ Buchholz, Jan (August 19, 2011). "Glendale's Westgate City Center in deeper debt than first thought". Phoenix Business Journal.
  11. ↑ Sanders, Rebekah L. (November 3, 2011). "Glendale Westgate City Center now owned mostly by lenders". Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  12. ↑ Wright, Lesley (November 9, 2011). "Ellman out as Westgate manager". Arizona Republic. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  13. ↑ Rubiano, Sherry Anne (January 27, 2007). "Office tenants at Westgate begin moving in". The Arizona Republic.
  14. ↑ Shearin, Randall (May 2005). "Scoring Big" (PDF). Shopping Center Business. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  15. ↑ "Westgate City Center to Be Home to Largest Media & Signage District West of Times Square". Business Wire. June 12, 2006.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ↑ "Clear Channel Builds Times Square of the Desert". Advertising Age.
  17. ↑ Watters, Carrie (January 3, 2007). "Westgate rocks with revelers". The Arizona Republic.
  18. ↑ "Stir Crazy Comedy Club opens at Westgate". The Arizona Republic. September 23, 2017.
  19. ↑ Zlomek, Erin (May 1, 2007). "Jordin mania only growing stronger". The Arizona Republic.
  20. ↑ "Glendale Westgate City Center to have ice rink, more holiday activities". Arizona Republic. November 18, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  21. ↑ "3 shot in newly-reopened Westgate Entertainment District outside Phoenix". CBS News. May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Arizona: three injured in shooting near shopping complex". The Guardian . Associated Press. May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  23. 1 2 Billeaud, Jacques; Tang, Terry (May 21, 2020). "Police: Man who shot 3 at Arizona complex felt bullied". WHEC-TV . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Suspect sought 'respect' in shooting of 3 at Westgate in Glendale, police say". The Arizona Republic . 21 May 2020. The suspect, Armando Hernandez Jr., was booked into a Maricopa County jail Thursday morning on suspicion of 16 felony charges.
  25. ↑ Villarreal, Daniel (May 21, 2020). "Westgate Shooting Suspect Was an 'Incel' Who Wanted to Kill Couples, Prosecutor Alleges". Newsweek.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.