Avalon West: Phase One of New Desert Pass Development

By Armando Landin
 
A new project featuring apartment homes in West El Paso is the first part of a multi-phase development bringing residential and commercial uses to a long-vacant area off of Interstate 10 and Resler Drive.

The Avalon West apartment community is the first project to open along Desert Pass Street, a new area between Remcon Circle and Resler Drive in West El Paso. (Courtesy Maria Nuzzo/Bohannon Development)

Avalon West, an apartment community that will be built in two phases, officially opened its doors on July 22, 2016.

Artspace El Paso Lofts Now Accepting Applications

By Armando Landin

Artspace officials are now accepting applications, effective September 1, 2016, from those interested in securing a spot in the Artspace El Paso Lofts.

A rendering of the upcoming Artspace El Paso Lofts, scheduled to open in November in Downtown El Paso. (Artspace)

Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis and can be submitted at the El Paso Community Foundation during regular business hours, located at 333 North Oregon Street in Downtown El Paso.

New Details Emerge for Montecillo Town Center

By Armando Landin   

A greater number of apartments and less street retail space are some of the details discovered in recent renderings and leasing listings for the Montecillo Town Center, the smart growth development currently under construction in West El Paso.

Retail and mixed-use buildings surround a plaza at the future Montecillo Town Center, currently under construction on El Paso's West Side. (EPT Communities)

As vertical construction nears, we're getting a clearer picture of the final layout for the buildings that will make up the Town Center and the form those buildings will take.

Artspace Lofts Applications Available August 15th

Several Application Workshops Also Scheduled

By Armando Landin

Residents interested in applying for a live/work unit at the upcoming Artspace Lofts can pick up an application beginning next week through the El Paso Community Foundation.

The Artspace El Paso Lofts, currently under construction Downtown, will release applications to potential residents beginning August 15, 2016. (Artspace)

Artspace officials will hold an "Application Release Celebration" on August 15, 2016, at Cafe Mayapan from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., located at 2000 Texas Avenue, east of Downtown El Paso.

$15M North Loop Apartments Break Ground

By Armando Landin   

The developer of a brand new apartment complex in El Paso's Lower Valley broke ground last week on the $15 million project that will provide more housing options to residents in the area.

Executives of WestStar Bank and Exigo Architecture are joined by City Representative Claudia Ordaz (second from right) and North Loop Apartments president Hamilton Peck (third from right) at recent groundbreaking for the $15 million residential project in El Paso's Lower Valley. (ZTEX Construction)

This marks the start of construction on the North Loop Apartments which will bring 214 units to a vacant lot near the intersection of North Loop Drive and Loop 375/Americas Avenue.

Montecillo Teases Home Buying Options

By Armando Landin   

As the Montecillo smart growth community's progress moves slowly but surely to the west, its home-buying options are getting a little clearer.

A group of "Spanish" townhomes in this rendering line a street at the Montecillo development in West El Paso. (EPT Communities)

Construction should begin soon in an area that will be comprised of townhomes and single family homes not too far from the existing apartment buildings just off of Mesa Street in West El Paso.

Artspace Holding Info, Meet & Greet Sessions

By Armando Landin

Residents interested in moving into the Artspace Lofts in Downtown El Paso will have two opportunities next week to get information on how to apply.

The Artspace El Paso Lofts, shown in this rendering, will open this fall, and officials are holding community meetings to provide information on the building and living at the lofts. (Artspace)

Officials will hold an Info Session on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Cafe Mayapan from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Artspace Staff will be on hand providing information on living in the building, the application process, and the project timeline.

New Westside Tower Stirs Up Opposing Views

By Armando Landin

Supporters of a proposed 22-story tower in West El Paso have set up a Facebook page and online petition that urges City Council to approve the ambitious project unveiled in April.

Shadow Mountain Tower would rise 22-stories in West El Paso, as seen in this rendering. City Council will consider approving the project in the coming weeks. (Meyers Group)

Meanwhile, opponents have also setup an online petition calling for the City to deny the required zoning change for the project unless the height of the tower is lowered or it is moved to Downtown El Paso.

Artspace El Paso Lofts to Open November 2016

Construction is ongoing at the Artspace Lofts site in Downtown El Paso, and residents will be able to move in as soon as November.

This rendering shows what the Artspace El Paso Lofts will look like once completed, scheduled to open in November in Downtown El Paso. (Artspace/HHL Architects)

According to the official website, Artspace will begin taking resident applications on September 1, 2016 from those interested in living in one of the lofts. Officials hope to have the apartments ready for occupancy by mid- to late-November.

'Urban' Hotel Planned at Montecillo Development

By Armando Landin   

El Pasoans are getting and updated look at the Montecillo smart growth development on the West Side, which includes possible future highlights such as a "unique urban hotel."

A rendering shows what a Montecillo Town Center building may look like once complete in West El Paso, located on the east side of Mesa Street in a sloping valley. (www.montecillo.com)

That's according to website updates which tease new elements planned for the nearly 300-acre development.

'Midtown Lofts' Could Transform Warehouse District in Central El Paso

By Armando Landin   

A loft project proposed for Central El Paso may be the beginning of transforming a longtime warehouse district into a livable community. The Midtown Lofts project is slated for an industrial neighborhood near the Spaghetti Bowl.

The Midtown Lofts will bring an apartment complex to a warehouse district in Central El Paso. (Exigo Architecture)

According to the architect's website, the three-story apartment complex would be located at the corner of Durazno Avenue and Stevens Street, one block east of Copia Street and south of Interstate 10, though the site does not indicate on which corner the complex would be constructed.

22-Story Mixed-Use Tower Planned for West El Paso

By Armando Landin   

A Florida based developer plans to build a mixed-use tower in West El Paso in the coming years, according to City documents. The 22-story highrise will go up near the corner of Sunland Park Drive and Mesa Street on a currently vacant lot, on Shadow Mountain Drive.

A rendering of the Shadow Mountain mixed use tower, planned for West El Paso. (Meyers Group)

The tower will be a mix of hotel and apartment units, with retail proposed for the ground floor. It will rise 256 feet, making it the second tallest building in El Paso. The Wells Fargo building in Downtown El Paso is 296 feet tall.

Planned Lofts Could Overlook Downtown Ballpark

By Armando Landin

The architect behind a planned lofts project adjacent to Southwest University Park in Downtown El Paso is teasing what the project may ultimately look like once built.

Three planned "upper end" apartments could have views of El Paso Chihuahuas games. (exigoarch.com)

'Ballpark Lofts' is the name of the project which will include three 2,600 square foot apartments.

Renderings Reveal Look of Future Northgate Transfer Center

By Armando Landin

The architect for the Northgate Transfer Center project in Northeast El Paso is offering a peak at what the future development may look like. Exigo Architecture, of El Paso, has posted renderings of the transfer center at its website.

This rendering shows what the Northgate Transfer Center may look like, coming soon to Northeast El Paso. (www.exigoarch.com)

The Northgate Transfer Center is considered a "catalyst" by the City of El Paso for the future transit-oriented Metro 31 smart growth community, which will be adjacent to this project. It will be used as the terminus of the Dyer Corridor of the Brio Rapid Transit System, currently under development.

New Murals Add Public Art to Montecillo Development

By Armando Landin

The Montecillo smart growth development in West El Paso has commissioned muralists to add public art to the walls of its structures. Australia based street artist Fintan Magee and San Diego based Christopher Konecki have joined resident artist EXIST1981 in contributing work at the site.

"Two Worlds," street artist Fintan Magee's mural at the Santi Dwellings in West El Paso. (www.instagram.com/fintan_magee)

Most of the art is concentrated in the TI:ME at Montecillo center, though Magee is putting the finishing touches on a four-story mural at the Santi Dwellings to the west. Konecki is working on multiple pieces on the sides of shipping containers used as structures at TI:ME.

Martin Building Apartments Could be Named 'ElectriCity,' Get Giant Lit Sign

El Pasoans are getting a sneak peak at a giant sign that will adorn the Martin Building once its renovation is complete. The historic high rise is undergoing a renovation in Downtown El Paso.

A giant sign could top the Martin Building in Downtown El Paso once its ongoing renovation is completed. "ELECTRICITY" may also be the new name of the retail and apartment building. (City of El Paso)

The image comes courtesy of a Facebook page highlighting the work of Los Angeles based Vuro Art Gallery, which is creating the sign.

Will City of El Paso Buy Controversial Kern View Estates Property?

The City of El Paso will consider a proposal this week to purchase a 15.57 acre property on a hill overlooking the Kern and Mission Hills neighborhoods. A developer had previously put forward controversial plans to construct housing on the plot of land.

The City of El Paso may purchase a 15.57-acre property in West El Paso to preserve it as open space. (City of El Paso)

Kern View Estates includes 60 attached single family homes on the side of Crazy Cat Mountain, just east of Piedmont Drive.

Land Study May Mean New NE El Paso Neighborhoods in the Franklin Mountain Foothills

The foothills of the Franklin Mountains in Northeast El Paso could see more residential development in the coming years after the City Plan Commission approved a land study for the area. "Sierra del Puerte" includes about 175 acres of land just west of Magnetic Street.

The site plan for a new residential development in Northeast El Paso shows streets winding around arroyos and open space. (City of El Paso)

According to the land study, the developer plans to construct 319 residential units on 70 acres. The site plan shows residential streets winding through the development, with arroyos interspersed throughout.

Infill Spree Continues with Murchison Project in Central El Paso

A vacant Central El Paso property may see new activity in the form of an infill project revealed in City documents. The property is located at the corner of Murchison Drive and Cotton Street.

New apartment buildings may spring up as part of a Central El Paso infill project. The mixed-use project includes office space on the first floor. (City of El Paso)

According to the master zoning plan, the developer plans to construct a mixed-use development consisting of four narrow 3-story apartment buildings whose facades will face Cotton Street.

Stanton & Crosby Apartments make appearance in City documents

An infill apartment project planned for the corner of Stanton Street and Crosby Avenue has appeared in a rezoning application filed with the City of El Paso. The Stanton & Crosby Apartments will be built just north of Downtown.

This rendering shows what the Stanton & Crosby Apartments may look like once completed. The property, which is currently vacant, is located between Downtown El Paso and UTEP. (www.exigoarch.com)

According to the application, the multi-family project will create a two-story structure that will hold a total of fourteen apartment units. This includes two three-bedroom, eight two-bedroom, and three one-bedroom apartments. A live-work unit is also included.