10 new projects fill old buildings in downtown Phoenix

Old buildings are coming back to life in downtown Phoenix.

A 1927 grocery store is being renovated for retail shops and restaurants, for example. A former pickle factory down the street will soon house a business incubator.

Some of the sites have historic designation, or were saved from the wrecking ball. Others are iconic.

These are 10 projects underway:

First Baptist Church

Year built: 1929.

1929. Location: Third Avenue and Monroe Street.

Third Avenue and Monroe Street. History: The church is known for its Italian Gothic architecture and bell tower, according to the city. A 1984 fire caused a roof collapse and other severe damage. First Baptist Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church is known for its Italian Gothic architecture and bell tower, according to the city. A 1984 fire caused a roof collapse and other severe damage. First Baptist Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New vision: A team including former Mayor Terry Goddard is renovating the church in several phases. It soon will be available for limited special events, Goddard said, and could eventually include a variety of uses like concert space and a coffee shop. The Phoenix City Council recently approved more than $82,000 in bond funding to repair the roof.

Beth Hebrew Synagogue

Year built: 1955.

1955. Location: Fifth and Portland streets.

Fifth and Portland streets. History: The structure was built for Phoenix's first Orthodox Jewish synagogue, which was founded by Holocaust survivors. The building was used for other purposes in more recent years, including housing the Black Theatre Troupe.

The structure was built for Phoenix's first Orthodox Jewish synagogue, which was founded by Holocaust survivors. The building was used for other purposes in more recent years, including housing the Black Theatre Troupe. New vision: Developer Michael Levine purchased the building to restore it. Last month, he opened the synagogue for Rosh Hashana near the 60th anniversary of its founding. Its uses are evolving as restoration work continues on the interior, Levine said. Exterior restoration included removing layers of stucco, paint and graffiti and revealing stained-glass windows.

Professional Building

Year built: 1931.

1931. Location: Monroe Street and Central Avenue.

Monroe Street and Central Avenue. History: The former office building once housed Valley National Bank of Arizona and is one of the last pre-Depression high-rise buildings in Phoenix. Known for its limestone exterior, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The former office building once housed Valley National Bank of Arizona and is one of the last pre-Depression high-rise buildings in Phoenix. Known for its limestone exterior, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New vision: The Professional Building will reopen as the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown later this year. The 170-room hotel will retain historic elements like the original elevator corridors and Art Deco ceiling, manager Michelle Davis said.

Luhrs Building

Year built: 1924.

1924. Location: Central Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Central Avenue and Jefferson Street. History: The 10-story Luhrs Building was the city's tallest high-rise when it was built in 1924. On the same block stands the Luhrs Tower, constructed in 1929. Both are on Phoenix's historic register.

The 10-story Luhrs Building was the city's tallest high-rise when it was built in 1924. On the same block stands the Luhrs Tower, constructed in 1929. Both are on Phoenix's historic register. New vision: Hansji Corp. is using both Luhrs buildings as part of Luhrs City Center, a mixed-use project that includes office and retail space as well as restaurants like Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour. Under construction now is the Luhrs City Center Marriott, a new hotel coming in late 2016.

Arnold’s Pickle House

Year built: 1920.

1920. Location: 14th and Van Buren streets.

14th and Van Buren streets. History: A family pickle business made and packed its product in the building for decades. The site was later left vacant but maintains its iconic sign on Van Buren Street.

A family pickle business made and packed its product in the building for decades. The site was later left vacant but maintains its iconic sign on Van Buren Street. New vision: Chicanos Por La Causa Inc., is converting the space into the CPLC Pickle House Makerspace Business Incubator. The adaptive reuse project will include a business incubator, high-tech tools and other resources for small businesses. The space will maintain the nostalgia of the original building, project coordinator Allisia Fiorini said.

Barrister Place Building

Year built: 1915.

1915. Location: Central Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Central Avenue and Jefferson Street. History: Once known as the Jefferson Hotel, the building's iconic brick facade made a cameo in the opening of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." The building was later converted into office space before being purchased by the city in 1990.

Once known as the Jefferson Hotel, the building's iconic brick facade made a cameo in the opening of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." The building was later converted into office space before being purchased by the city in 1990. New vision: The city is looking for a buyer to find a new use for the building while preserving and restoring it. Several developers submitted proposals last month that soon will be considered.

​ Welnick Arcade Market

Year built: 1927.

1927. Location: Fourth Avenue and Van Buren Street.

Fourth Avenue and Van Buren Street. History: The building housed a large grocery store through 1951 and is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It was later home to other businesses before being left vacant.

The building housed a large grocery store through 1951 and is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It was later home to other businesses before being left vacant. New vision: The Welnick building and the adjacent Liefgreen Seed Company building are both under renovation, said Robert Graham, who is working on the project with Motley Design Group. The owners envision exterior restoration and interior rehabilitation to create a restaurant and retail destination. Opening is expected in 2016.

C.P. Stephens DeSoto Six Motor Cars

Year built: 1928.

1928. Location: Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street.

Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street. History: The building opened as an automobile dealership and is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It sat vacant for decades starting in the 1980s.

The building opened as an automobile dealership and is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It sat vacant for decades starting in the 1980s. New vision: The building reopened this year as DeSoto Central Market, a bar and eatery featuring multiple restaurants. The project received city grant funding for restoration.

Graham Paper Company Warehouse

Year built: 1949.

1949. Location: Third and Lincoln streets.

Third and Lincoln streets. History: The brick warehouse was built for a paper company and is an example of post-World War II architecture, according to the city.

The brick warehouse was built for a paper company and is an example of post-World War II architecture, according to the city. New vision: Architecture and design firm Gould Evans | Canary helped rehabilitate the space into a new office and moved there earlier this year. The new building embraces its original elements and seeks to hold community events in the extra space, according to the company.

Joseph W. Wurth House