Comeback Evokes NYC’s Meatpacking District

Ballpark Lofts is the first housing project proposed in 12 years.

PHOENIX—The city’s center is already experiencing a boom of its own, with $500 million in current construction and more than $4 billion total investment since 2008, according to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. The Warehouse District, an area just south of downtown, is finally making a comeback. In fact, some have dubbed it as the next Meatpacking District. While the costs and investments in the Warehouse District have not reached those numbers yet, many believe the success of the city’s core is spilling over and it is the next neighborhood to turn around.

Formerly an economic hub where produce from all of the state’s farms was warehoused because of its proximity to the Union Station, the area went through years of neglect. However, in recent years, it has been experiencing an economic comeback that is being driven by interest from tech and creative companies. These entities are attracted to Phoenix, while at the same time, seeking space that would offer a work environment appealing to young and creative talent. As a result, historic warehouses at risk of being torn down are now being renovated by companies and turned into functioning spaces.