(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Aspirant/Empire Group)
By Brenna Goth | The Republic
New plans for the Circles building in downtown Phoenix will save more of the structure and include public art, according to details released Wednesday, months after its partial demolition surprised and angered community members and city leaders.
The $70 million project — earlier proposed as Circle on Central — will now be called the Stewart, owners of the Roosevelt Row icon said. The building on McKinley Street and Central Avenue opened in 1947 as Stewart Motor Co., but more recently housed Circles Discs and Tapes.
The redesign comes after Aspirant Development LLC, part of the Empire Group of Companies, tore down part of the building in April in the midst of community meetings to negotiate a compromise on preserving the former auto showroom. Plans for the 19-story apartment tower had concerned some neighbors because they saved only the most recognizable parts of the building.
