By Lindsay Walker | Your Valley
A fourth-generation Arizonan, Walter Crutchfield has seen the state undergo a series of changes over the years as it grew into its own.
Now, he plays a big part in preserving Phoenix history for the next generations through development projects.
Crutchfield is a partner and co-founder of Phoenix-based Vintage Partners, which has been responsible for several adaptive-reuse projects across the region, repurposing existing mid-century buildings and turning them into something the community can get behind. While Vintage doesn’t currently have any adaptive-reuse projects in the works, two of its notable projects include Uptown Plaza and Rise Uptown hotel in central Phoenix, the latter of which opened its doors in June.
“It has so much history, and the great thing with adaptive reuse is it brings back an audience, who has history,” he said. “Great development is, I think, when the community that you are in embraces loves and owns your project. And when the 27-year-old with a neck tattoo and the 65-year-old both think it’s great, and are both okay that the other one’s there.”
