Westgate Entertainment District

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 Gila River Arena, home of the NHL team the 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.

Westgate Entertainment District
LocationGlendale, Arizona
Coordinates33°32′1″N 112°15′43″W
Opening dateNovember 15, 2006
ArchitectDevelopment Design Group (DDG), The Davis Experience
Total retail floor area508,000 sq ft (47,200 m2) (current)
8,000,000 sq ft (740,000 m2) (projected)
Websitewestgateaz.com

Development

Glendale Arizona's Westgate Entertainment District is a 223-acre (0.90 km2), mixed-used development that includes 8,000,000 square feet (740,000 m2) of shopping, dining, entertainment, high-end condominiums, parks, and office space. It is anchored by Gila River Arena, 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 and Super Bowl XLIX.

State Farm Stadium is adjacent to Westgate.

Development of Westgate Entertainment District began with the construction of the Gila River 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 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 will 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]

The development of future phases will be contingent upon market demand and is yet to be scheduled, although estimated completion dates range 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 will remain open. The Steve Ellman companies will attempt to reschedule debt on the Center or part or all of the Center will 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 2005 after failing to get an arena built at the former Los Arcos Mall in Scottsdale.[8] Two auctions are 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
Gila River Arena

Westgate was built around Gila River 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]

Panoramic view of Westgate City Center from the ground level.
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]

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. 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 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. 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.
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