Laveen development will center around historic farmhouse

Published: Thursday, January 5, 2023 - 1:55pm

A major development coming to southwest Phoenix involves turning a 100-year-old farmhouse into a restaurant. 

Vestar, the company behind Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace, will create the Laveen Towne Center at 59th Avenue and Dobbins Road. Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, who represents the area, says local restaurateurs are excited about the vacant Hudson Farmhouse.

“I know there are a couple of people looking at it, and we want to make sure we get the best possible unique user in that space,” she said.

Longtime resident Dan Penton is happy the project’s design will highlight Laveen’s agricultural roots.

“I’ve been advocating for this particular piece-of-this parcel for about five years and its preservation due to its significance in the community and to hear that it’s going to be in such great hands is amazing,” he said. 

On Wednesday, the City Council approved an agreement to reimburse Vestar up to $25 million for public infrastructure improvements in the area.

The 40-acre project is expected to offer unique shops and restaurants when it opens in 2025.