Did anyone else besides The Insider come across the “save the date” ad in last Sunday’s New York Times magazine? It’s a cryptic announcement for a new luxury retail and dining project called The Palmeraie Scottsdale.
In case you wanted to note the grand opening gala in your BlackBerry, it’s Oct. 10, 2010.
The Palmeraie reportedly will be a 300,000-square-foot mixed-use project at Scottsdale and Indian Bend roads — adjacent to the 106-acre Paradise Valley site proposed for a $1.5 billion Ritz-Carlton hotel.
The site is owned by Five Star Development Group Inc., which will be co-developer of the project.
The city of Scottsdale has about 10 acres fronting Scottsdale Road, which will include high-end retail including Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as an Ian Schrager’s Edition boutique hotel.
But it looks like the entire project is in dry dock until after the Nov. 4 elections, when the hotel faces a public vote, says Jan Bracamonte of Crosby/Wright, who is handling PR for Five Star.
BRAND WAGON: After an eight-year attempt to brand downtown Phoenix as “Copper Square,” the Downtown Phoenix Partnership has decided to nix the concept.
It’s going with “downtown Phoenix” instead — not terribly creative, but certainly to the point.
The switch includes a new logo, signs and branding efforts. One national TV spot already is airing. It paints downtown Phoenix as “the place to be” for nightlife. Hmmmm ...
The Insider heard Scottsdale-based SHR Perceptual Management was brought on in late 2007 and was paid $160,000 for research, graphics, consulting and focus groups in its quest to transform the city’s image.
All came from private funds, according to David Roderique, president and CEO of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership.
Still, that seems like a lot of money to reach such an obvious conclusion.
No telling how much money was squandered trying to establish the Copper Square brand over the past eight years.