A massive high-rise building planned for downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is moving forward despite questions about future demand for office space in the midst of a pandemic that has sent most office workers home.
The development, by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Group Holdings LLC, would bring a mix of retail — including a CVS drug store, residential, parking and office space to 75 E. Broadway.
According to paperwork filed with the city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, the first floor would have 13,760 square feet of retail space including 9,840 square feet for CVS under a 15-year lease.
The second floor would offer 17,820 square feet of flex space, topped by five floors of parking.
Floors 8, 9 and 10 would be offices. Forty studios, ranging in size from 465 to 1,315 square feet would be on floors 11 and 12 and the top floors would have 62 apartments.
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The City Council is expected to vote on giving developers back the construction sales tax revenue, capped at $1.1 million, at its November meeting.
Steve Kozachik, whose ward represents downtown, said he’s encouraged by the retail, residential and parking portions of the project.
“Those three components make sense,†he said. “On the office side, they’re rolling the dice … it’s a bit of a head-scratcher for me.â€

A man walks by the empty lot that would be the site of a proposed high-rise building at 75 E. Broadway. Construction is expected to begin next year with completion in 2024.
Other office properties are struggling now, as a large number of companies have employees working from home, Kozachik said.
“I don’t see businesses right now saying, ‘Hey, as soon as we get a vaccine everybody’s back in the office,’†he said. “If they can rent out or lease occasional meeting space that makes sense.â€
Still, Kozachik said he is supportive of the plan that’s been presented.
“They’ve got the lenders, so good for them,†he said. “What’s compelling for me is the ground-level space and connectivity.â€
Developers could not be reached for comment, but plans submitted to the city say the project “capitalizes on the appreciation we expect to see among these four categories (retail, office, residential and parking) in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ over the next 10-15 years.â€
They said millennials, in particular, would appreciate having an apartment in the same building as an employer.
“We may also furnish some of the residential units and make them available through lodging platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO as corporate rentals so that business travelers coming to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to meet with one of our office tenants can stay within the same building,†developers say.
Construction is expected to begin next year with completion in 2024.

The Roskruge Hotel used to sit at the west end of the lot at 75 E. Broadway, A new building, with retail and office space, is planned for that spot.
A RETURN TO NORMAL, OR SOMETHING LIKE IT
When and how workers return to an office setting is the topic of much discussion as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.
Picor commercial real estate brokerage firm had a recent piece about the need for traditional workplaces.
“The truth of the matter is none of us has a magic crystal ball, but there are a few realities which will influence the future of office, particularly in suburban cities such as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥,†the piece reads.
“There are segments of the workforce who miss the social interaction and desire to be back in an environment with their colleagues: The millennial, the single person and the extrovert.â€
Offices are already being retrofitted with plexiglass barriers, thermal scanners and one-way hallways. Other technology such as touchless toilets, water faucets and doors will likely be part of the future workspace.
Local commercial broker Rick Kleiner, with Picor, specializes in the office market and said the 75 E. Broadway project is a reason to be optimistic.
“I think with 75 it gives the developer an opportunity to address those kind of concerns, and if they’re successful in constructing the building with those objectives, I think the market will respond,†he said.
Currently, the office market is flat.
“People are tying to figure out what the future holds,†Kleiner said. “There may be a couple of employees going into offices that typically had 15 employees.â€
Still, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is not seeing subleases coming onto the market, with businesses trying to shed space.
“That indicates most companies are still able to pay the rent and intend to bring the staff back,†Kleiner said. “I’m in awe and excited to see 75 Broadway built.
“I’m optimistic, on behalf of the community, that this will work.â€
Photos: Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Stone Ave in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, including ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Land and Title, Pima Savings, Jacome's and Steinfelds, looking south from Alameda Street from the northeast corner in 1962.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Alameda Street and North Stone Avenue in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ looking south from the roof of the county building at 200 N Stone on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The old department stores (Jacome's and Penney's) were replaced by the central library and plaza. Steinfeld's was replaced by the Bank of America tower.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965. Looking south on Stone Ave from Alameda St. The Wells Fargo Bank, Pioneer Hotel and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Federal Savings building.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The Wells Fargo Bank, Pioneer Building and Pima County Public Defender's Office on Stone Avenue looking south near Alameda Street in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings on S. Stone taken June 1965 from the East side of the street, looking North.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the view of One East Broadway at Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard looking northeast with the Chase building in the background. The plans for the building are to have commercial businesses on the ground level with office space in the upper floors. The offices for the Regional Transportaition Authority or RTA and the Pima Association of Government or PAG are expected to occupy space in the building.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The Westerner Hotel, which opened in 1949, on the southeast corner of Stone Ave and Broadway Road in 1965. The building was converted for office use.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The former Westerner Hotel building on Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard looking Southeast.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings on Broadway and Stone taken June 1965.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a photo of Stone Avenue looking south toward Broadway Boulevard.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Standard Oil gas station and Albert Steinfeld Hardware at 100 block of N. Stone in 1957. They were demolished to build J.C. Penney building. It is now the main library plaza.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the northwest corner of Stone Avenue and Pennington Street and the main library plaza in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Citizen Photo S.H. Kress Co. 44 N. Stone temporary location while construction of new Kress store at 97 E. Congress. Formerly Montgomery Ward Store. No information on Langers Florists picture taken 1955.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the corner of Stone Avenue and Pennington Street looking southeast. It is currently used as the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Downtown facility housing the College of Architecture Planning and Landscape Architecture.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Northeast corner of 6th Ave. and Congress Street in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 1965, including Dee's Shoes, Nationwide Finance, Johnny Gibson's Gym Equipment and the Manhattan bar. It's now the Ronstadt Transit Center.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Congress looking northeast at the Ronstadt Transit Center.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

6th Avenue and Broadway Road in June, 1965, including the back of the Santa Rita Hotel (right), Nick's Liquors, Western Union, the Roosevelt Hotel and Danny's Cafe.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Broadway, part of which was the site of the Roosevelt Hotel and Santa Rita Hotel and now the home of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Electric Power in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the parking lot at 35 E. Pennington, the site of the "new Woolworth Building" in May, 1956.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a photo of the Chase Building looking south through a parking lot on East Pennington Street from the front doors of City High School at 48 E Pennington St.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The Bank of Douglas at Alameda and Stone taken 1958.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court building on the corner of Stone Avenue and Alameda Street looking southeast.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen file photo.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the intersection of Broadway and Sixth Avenue looking northwest.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965. Dial Loans the the old Federal Courthouse on Broadway, east of Stone Ave. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen file photo.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a photo of One East Broadway in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on Broadway Boulevard and Stone Avenue looking east toward the Walsh Federal Courthouse. The plans for the building are to have commercial businesses on the ground level with office space in the upper floors. The offices for the Regional Transportaition Authority or RTA and the Pima Association of Government or PAG are expected to occupy space in the building.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Dave Bloom and Sons men's clothing at the northwest corner 6th Ave and Congress in 1956. The company moved to that location in 1931.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the exterior of the Hydra store which at one time was the Dave Bloom and Sons store on Congress St and Sixth Avenue.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965. Aaronson Brothers Apparel Store at Congress and 6th Ave. Now the Chicago Store.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This a photograph of the Chicago Store on Congress and Sixth Avenue looking west.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken May 1953, including Stein's clothing and Leed's Shoes and Souther ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bank and Trust.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the northeast corner of Congress Street and Stone Avenue looking northeast, including the empty US Bank and Pima County Public Defender's Office, formerly the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Federal Savings building.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The Fox Theatre in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a photo of the Fox Theatre on Congress Street and Stone Avenue toward the north on Thursday, October 24, 2013 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The MacArthur Hotel at 500 E. Toole Ave. in 1965.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is the MacArthur Building on Toole Avenue and Pennington Street.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings taken June 1965. Scott Ave looking south from Pennington St toward Congress.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a photo of North Scott Avenue, north of Congress Street.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Perkins Motor Co. , pictured in 1955, at the northwest corner of Stone and Alameda occupied the site for 15 years until it was demolished to make way for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Land Title Building, which was converted to Pima County Public Works Center in early 2000s.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

The Pima County Public Works Center on the northwest corner of Stone Avenue and Alameda Street.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ buildings on Pennington Street looking west from Scott Ave towards Stone Ave, ca. 1960. Pennington Drugs is at left.Â
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Then and Now

This is a view of the Pioneer Building, right, on East Pennington and Scott Avenue looking west.