Parking structures, however, will contain the bulk of the parking. structures allow you to densify the project, and build the uses you want to build without parking taking up space.” Also recognizing the convenience factor of surface lots, he added that there will be those, as well, some planned for the Deer Valley side of the project and others as temporary “placeholders” on sites that will eventually sprout structures.

“CityNorth is the culmination of a specific plan for Desert Ridge,” Klutznick noted, crediting his father with the vision more than 20 years ago and describing it as “the vibrant, active, energetic village core.” Phase I will offer an urban‑everyday shopping street, according to Klutznick. “Phase II will start to bring in those central gathering places: concourses and plazas.”

In addition to 975,000square feet of retail, 235,000 square feet of office and another 575 units of luxury residential, Phase II will see the construction of a hospitality element. A four‑star hotel on the west end of High Street and a five‑star one on the east will each offer 250 rooms to accommodate, respectively, the business traveler and the luxury visitor.

Construction of Phase II will overlap Phase I, beginning early next year and delivering its 2.5 million square feet of product in 2009. This phase, too, will focus on the retail, and will bring high‑caliber retailer Nordstrom to the north Valley. Such major national brands will be complemented by local businesses. “It’s important to have a local presence; it’s an important part of what makes a community a community,” Klutznick affirmed, while not committing to any carved‑in‑stone ration.

Size of units is likewise flexible. “If it’s the right tenant and they want only 200 square feet and we can fit them in, we can figure out a way to make it work,” said Klutznick.

Just under half of the parcel’s total acreage, Phases I and II–the High Street district–combined comprise 69 acres and constitute the core of CityNorth. The distinction into separate phases is due only to the timing of building such a big project, Klutznick explained. The remaining 75 acres will eventually be developed into more residential, some neighborhood‑style retail and, along the freeway, an extensive office component.

Referring to the tenant mix of the High Street district, Klutznick observed, “This type of project we’re building–there’s no book on how to build it. It’s more one‑of‑a‑kind.” The statement applies equally well to the architectural look of the project. Klutznick called it “urban desert contemporary,” and laughed as he said, “It’s been a challenge for the design team working with us.” It’s a look that does exist, but, he claimed, not on this magnitude.

“Small details have a large impact on the impression that’s created,” Klutznick noted. Details include how such materials as glass, stone and metal are used, the width of the sidewalks and the distance between the faces of the buildings. “Materials, shade and shade structures are critical in making an environment that’s inviting.”

Not just shade for its own sake, how‑ever. “Awnings and shade structures must be incorporated into the design, and not just be add‑ons.”

The design team for CityNorth is Elkus/Manfredi Architects, of Boston, and Nelsen Partners, of Scottsdale, and Austin, Texas.

General contractors are Phoenix companies Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and Sundt Construction, Inc.

National leasing is being handled by Webber Hudson, Kim Pohlen and Jessica McClure of New York‑based Related Urban Development, who can be reached at (212) 421‑5333; and Rob McGarey and Trent Goulette of Scottsdale‑based Southwest Retail Group are handling the local retail and restaurant leasing and can be reached at (480) 946‑6609.  Office leasing is through Jim Fijan and Jerry Roberts of CB Richard Ellis, in Phoenix, at (602) 735‑5100; residential through Trudy Hammond and Kelley Dominguez of Signature Properties, in Scottsdale, at (480) 355‑0202.