NEWS RELEASE
Scottsdale, AZ – November 21, 2013. The Pavilions Shopping Center announces that a new Great Hearts academy campus will be built at the property. We are so pleased to be the chosen site for this highly respected and sought after education facility. The synergy between the families of the 1200 school children and our ever-increasing selection of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues is a perfect union,” said Chuck Carlise, President of De Rito Partners Development, Inc.”
Great Hearts Academies is a non-profit organization which operates some of the top public schools in the country. Its 16 tuition-free charter schools are based on a core, classical liberal arts curriculum and prepare graduates for success in the best colleges and universities in the nation. The Great Hearts vision for students is to be leaders in creating a more philosophical, humane and just society. Families wishing to enroll their students at the new K-5 Archway Classical Academy – Cicero, or at the middle/high school, Cicero Preparatory Academy, can find enrollment information at www.greathearts.com.
The 80,000 square foot school will be built in an area of the center that once was occupied by a Fiddlesticks and Chuck E Cheese. Phase I will accommodate students in grades K-7 and Phase II to 12th grade. The location gives the school visibility to traffic on Indian Bend and Pima Roads and allows for easy access to parents dropping off their children. The school will open in August 2014 for the fall semester and is taking applications through open enrollment now.
When De Rito Partners Development bought the center for $88 million in 2008, Mervyn’s, Circuit City and Best Buy were all on their way out. “We have 1.2 million square feet of retail space, which is a healthy amount by today’s standards, said Chuck Carlise. There continues to be vacant space to fill in the Phoenix area, retailers are getting smaller and this unique usage for a shopping center comes to The Pavilions at the perfect time. ”
Since purchasing the property, De Rito Partners Development has spent $21 million in renovations and tenant improvements to revitalize the shopping center, including a new food court area, landscaping, pedestrian improvements, additional parking and infrastructure. New permanent leases to the center since January 2008 include Buffalo Wild Wings, Mountainside Fitness*, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Verizon Wireless, Filiberto’s, TONI & GUY Hairdressing Academy, Goodwill Industries*, Hobby Lobby, CarLife, Barro’s Pizza*, UltraStar Cinemas*, Burlington Coat Factory, Hooters, Octane Raceway, Blimpie Sub Shop, Jack’s Warehouse, Conn’s Home Plus, T Moblie, Sprint, CPR Cell Phone Repair, Owl Ear Smoke Shop and KaviShop. Coming soon are Red Robin, 99c Only Store, Popeye’s and Courtyard Interiors. For more information visit derito.com.
