Montecillo Announces Planned Four-Acre Resort

By Armando Landin

A new resort is set to join the Montecillo smart growth community on El Paso's West Side. The Resort at Montecillo is set to start construction later this year.

An overhead shot of the planned Resort at Montecillo which will start construction in fall of 2017 in West El Paso. (Courtesy EPT Land Communities)

The four-acre project will include various resort amenities, including a Resident Clubhouse, "resort style" water attractions, and an events center.

Topgolf to Open at Montecillo in El Paso

By Armando Landin     

The City is on the brink of signing a deal with Topgolf to open a sports entertainment venue in El Paso. City Council will consider approving an incentives agreement at its next meeting.

From top left: The exterior facade of an existing Topgolf facility; Hitting bays include seating for several people and are climate controlled; A rooftop terrace at an existing location; A wide view of hitting bays and outfield targets. (City of El Paso)

According to City documents, Topgolf is planning a $15.7 million facility that will be located at the Montecillo smart growth development in West 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.

Northgate Transfer Center Breaks Ground August 12th

By Armando Landin   

The long-awaited Northgate Transfer Center project will break ground August 12, 2016, marking the beginning of construction for the anchor of the Metro 31 transit oriented development.

The planned Northgate Transfer Center in Northeast El Paso will have an official groundbreaking ceremony on August 12, 2016. (City of El Paso)

The $10.6 million transfer center, located at 9347 Diana Drive in Northeast El Paso, will include a park and ride garage and an enclosed waiting area with nearby ticketing areas. A large, outdoor pedestrian plaza is also planned.

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.

'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.

Alamo Drafthouse Now Showing New Films, Official Grand Opening May 6th

By Armando Landin   

El Paso's newest movie theater may not have had its grand opening yet, but it is already showing first run movies. Alamo Drafthouse will have its official grand opening on May 6.

The Alamo Drafthouse movie theater in West El Paso is now having its soft opening while it trains its new employees. (Alamo Drafthouse)

The newest addition to the Montecillo smart growth community in West El Paso opened its doors on Monday, April 25, to patrons in order to help train staff in the run up to the grand opening, showing older films such as "Back to the Future" and "Mad Max: Fury Road."

Alamo Drafthouse Now Hiring 200 Employees for West El Paso Location

By Armando Landin

The latest addition to the Montecillo smart growth development in West El Paso is now hiring in anticipation of its opening. Alamo Drafthouse cinema seeks 200 employees for its upcoming location.

The Alamo Drafthouse is now hiring for its West El Paso location, shown in this rendering. It will be an anchor tenant in the upcoming Montecillo Town Center. (Alamo Drafthouse/Triple Tap Ventures)

The new movie house will be an anchor tenant in the Montecillo Town Center, located at Mesa Street and Montecillo Boulevard. No other tenants have been announced for the center, which is part of the larger Montecillo development.

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.

'Down TI:ME' now Under Construction at Montecillo

A planned new addition to TI:ME at Montecillo is now under construction at West El Paso's smart growth development, according to a press release.

'Down TI:ME' is now under construction at the Montecillo development in West El Paso, pictured in this rendering. (Courtesy Pan y Agua Partners)

Dubbed "Down TI:ME," the building will be constructed just west of the existing retail and restaurant area at the corner of Mesa Street and Montecillo.

Aldea Developer Seeks Incentives Agreement for I-10 Overpass Construction

The developer of the future Aldea SmartCode project in West El Paso is seeking a Chapter 380 incentives agreement for construction of a freeway overpass adjacent to the property.

A new overpass is planned at Interstate 10 for Mesa Park Drive, the main thoroughfare that will take I-10 commuters into and out of the 196 acre Aldea development. Mesa Park will cross I-10 about three quarters of a mile north of Executive Center Boulevard.

The new Mesa Park Drive overpass is denoted here by a green arrow. The new interchange will provided access to the Aldea El Paso project on the West Side. (Schematic: City Council Agenda)

The agreement would provide Geltmore, LLC, the developer, with incentives in the form of rebates on the City's portion of sales and use tax. The incentive could total between $3.7 million and $4.7 million, depending on the cost of construction. The rebates will be calculated on sales by retailers within the Aldea development.

This is 'Metro 31': City Reveals Northgate SmartCode Project Details

Hunt Development Group Proposal Awaits Council Approval

Update: City Council has approved the project.  Read More >>

Original Story: 
The City of El Paso has unveiled details on the planned 31-acre transit-oriented mixed-use project slated for the former Northpark Mall site in Northeast El Paso at the corner of Dyer Street and Diana Drive. The proposal, submitted by Hunt Development Group, will be considered by Council on December 2, 2014.

This concept image shows a residential area within Metro 31, the SmartCode development planned for Northeast El Paso. (City Council Agenda)

Renderings of the project, which is called Metro 31 in several places within the development agreement, show buildings laid out in an urban fashion with little to no setbacks from streets. Structures are of varying height and scale, with some apartment buildings rising four stories.

Westin Hotel/Retail Complex Teased in New Video

Updated Renderings Show a Changed Footprint for High Rise Airport Hotel

A new hotel/retail complex for a property near El Paso International Airport is expected to break ground this year, and now a video is offering a fresh look at what the center may look like once completed.

A look down Acequia Park Court towards the high rise Westin Hotel near the El Paso International Airport. This rendering shows what the hotel/retail complex may look like once completed. (Ronkot Design Vimeo Channel)

The design of the complex in the renderings included in the video shows a contemporary design for the buildings, which create retail blocks on the property with parking in the middle. Bright colors, curving lines, and fountains can be found throughout the expected 80,000 square feet of retail space.

A “main street” divides the property down the middle, called Acequia Park Court. It will have retail buildings lining both sides, with zero setbacks and street parking. Other retail buildings will line Boeing Drive on the northern side of the property, including the highly visible intersection with Airway Boulevard.

A bird’s eve view of the future hotel and retail complex near the El Paso International Airport. (Ronkot Design Vimeo Channel)

Acequia Park Court will lead up to the new high rise Westin Hotel, ending at a proposed drive called High Street. The hotel shape has changed from triangular in initial site plans to a more traditional rectangular footprint. And the height looks to be a bit shorter, with between nine and ten floors included in the new concept imagery.

Weekly Edition, Issue 62

The Weekly Edition, Issue 62 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Westin Hotel/Retail Complex Teased in New Video
• Twin Peaks Restaurant Headed to West El Paso

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‘TI:ME at Montecillo’ Prepares for Thursday Grand Opening

Construction on ‘The View’ Nearing Completion; ‘Santi Dwellings’ Marching Along

The developer of the brand new TI:ME at Montecillo shopping center in West El Paso opened the doors to three eateries in a “soft opening” last week. The official grand opening will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2014.

Stonewood Modern American Grill looks upon the rest of TI:ME at Montecillo, which will have a grand opening on Thursday. (El Paso Development News)

Stonewood Modern American Grill, Hillside Coffee & Donut Co., and Malolam Cantina are all now open daily in a run up to grand opening day. The doors to each eatery are steps away from each other in the intimate layout of the center.

TI:ME is a self-described “non-traditional” shopping center in an urban, smart growth setting within the Montecillo development. The creators have used varying building materials throughout the center, particularly on the facades of the restaurants, to help distinguish each space.

Malolam Cantina sits near the middle of the center, just steps away from the other two restaurants at TI:ME at Montecillo. (El Paso Development News)

The design also includes repurposed shipping containers which may house retail uses, such as clothing stores, home decor, and a “beauty bar.” A total of ten retailers were announced earlier this year, with spaces for the tenants ranging from 80 to 1,200 square feet.

Weekly Edition, Issue 61

The Weekly Edition, Issue 61 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• TI:ME at Montecillo Prepares for Thursday Grand Opening
• Walmart Plans to Add Another West Side Store
• Retail Buzz: Corner Bakery Coming to Airway, CVS to Northeast El Paso

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Plans Revealed for Former ‘El Cruzero’ Land

River Oaks Seeks Mixed Use Zoning for 113 Acres in East El Paso

The developer of a Far East El Paso property formerly slated for a smart growth development has submitted a rezoning application showing the planned layout for 113.7 acres of the site. The property was part of the larger ‘El Cruzero’ development that was cancelled in 2013 when the owner sold the involved parcels to River Oaks Properties.

Single-family homes (in yellow) will make up the majority of the 113-acre Desert Sands development proposed by River Oaks Properties. A linear park will occupy the median of a north-south street. (City of El Paso)

Now referred to as ‘Desert Sands’ in the master zoning plan, River Oaks proposes to develop the property under Residential Mixed Use (RMU) zoning that includes single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadruplex units. It is currently zoned C-4 Commercial.

Weekly Edition, Issue 60

The Weekly Edition, Issue 60 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Plans Revealed for Former ‘El Cruzero’ Land
• Mixed-Use Infill Development Planned for Northeast El Paso
• Sun Metro Adds Articulated Buses to East Side Route

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Details on Alamo Drafthouse Groundbreaking

Construction of Movie House May Take Less Than a Year

El Paso politicians and businesspersons alike attended a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday for what will become the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater building at the future Montecillo Town Center on the city’s West Side. It will be the first building to break ground at the Town Center site.

An artist’s rendering of the Alamo Drafthouse theater building under construction in West El Paso. (Triple Tap Ventures)

The movie house will be situated in the upper area of the Town Center, with parking located behind the building and hidden from view. The theater will have eight screens with about 850 seats in total. The structure will be over 30,000 square feet in size, according to the Town Center site plan.

Alamo Drafthouse is known for serving restaurant food to patrons before and during the movie. Neil Michaelsen, Chief Executive Officer and President of Triple Tap Ventures, explained this to local film critic and historian Charles Horak in a recent interview with KTEP (ktep.org).

The Alamo Drafthouse theater building will be located in the upper area of the Montecillo Town Center. A groundbreaking was held last week for the eight screen movie house, which could open in early spring according to the theater’s developer. (Site Plan: www.montecillo.com)

“You sit down, there’s a table in front of you, and there’s a menu right underneath the table. In a very old-school format, you write your order on a piece of paper.”