Encore of Farmer
Last year, I started talking about a cool project called Encore on Farmer that was under construction in downtown Tempe. Encore isn’t for everyone. In fact, if you are not 55 years of age or older, it’s not for you. However, if you do qualify to live at Encore, you will have a spiffy new place to call home in one of the state’s most urban, walkable environments.
These one and two bedroom units recently opened to residents. This week, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony where Encore employees, city officials, community activists and Encore residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the project. On hand were people like City Manager Charlie Meyer, Mayor Hugh Hallman, Councilman Corey Woods and future Councilman Dick Foreman.
What people saw is a new “urban living environment” consisting of 56 units in an area that many believe could be a big part of the “new downtown” once the Tempe Streetcar starts traveling in the neighborhood. Onsite amenities at Encore include a fitness room, iMac bar, community room, storage lockers and more. Yes, an iMac bar.
iMac Bar at Encore on Farmer
Green and Convenient:
The rooftop of Encore on Farmer is a sea of solar panels, there is a great walking / bike path directly east of the property, the free Orbit bus system cruises the area, and the light rail station on Mill Avenue is just a hop, skip and jump away.
Here’s what the DTC says about Encore:
“Urban living for independent seniors, this 5-story apartment building is aimed at fixed income, active adults over the age of 55. Encore features 56 affordably priced rental units featuring one and two bedroom floor plans. The property features walkable connections to Mill Avenue, covered parking and secure elevator access. Other ammenities are on-site storage, laundry and exercise facilities, convenient public transit options (Orbit circulators, light rail, and the future planned street car stop), and easy access to parks, hiking and bicycle trails.”
Below is a short, poorly done video showing the interior of one of the one bedroom units at Encore. If you are really smart, you’ll take a look for yourself. 🙂
It will be interesting to watch this area evolve. The Mill Avenue District has seen a pretty sudden convergence of hundreds of new people beginning to live downtown. The West 6th towers brought hundreds of people to the area less than a year ago. While West 6th and Encore on Farmer are leasing units, there has also been high demand for places like The Brickyard, Hayden Ferry, Regatta Pointe, Hayden Square and more. Rentals, or not, the Tempe real estate market seems to be gaining a lot of steam. Hopefully, we will begin to see more cool projects like this along the entire 20 mile light rail line. Urban living is becoming popular for more people every day. Encore is a great example of that demand.
Bravo for Encore.
Wow, the place looks great! I know some people who might be interested in renting a place there.
Seriously? Only people over the age of 56? That seems like strange demographic for an apartment complex that is in the middle of the ASU night life and college atmosphere. I dont think people over 56 know how to use iMacs either.