print this article | 
e-mail this article | 
comment 
Wendell BurnetteJonah BusickJack DeBartolo 3Eddie JonesDonald Keuth Kimber LanningJenna M. McKnightMark PattersonJames E. RichardsWilliam TaylorBruce WiseScott Blair |
| Photo courtesy Richard+Bauer |
  |
| Taliesin / Courtesy Wikipedia (top); Cesar Chavez Library / © Bill Timmerman |
Jim E. Richard, AIA, is a partner at Richard+Bauer, a Phoenix-based firm.
Best Historic Architecture
“Well, we tore down most of our historic fabric and put up Styrofoam… But Taliesin is still a masterpiece of desert architecture, take some time here in the evening. Cosanti is a mini me of Soleri’s grand vision [Arcosanti] two hours to the north. The Wrigley Mansion, yup the chewing gum. (Really a dinner club with views out over the valley).”
Best New Architecture
Phoenix Libraries and Palo Christi Estates
“Any of the City of Phoenix libraries, especially the Phoenix Central Library—one of the pivotal pieces of architecture in the southwest. The Palo Christi Estates are an interesting collection of homes from Frank Lloyd Wright, Jones Studio, Will Bruder, and Marwan Alsayed.”
Best Museums & Galleries
“First Friday is a collection of galleries and shops and whatever’s bohemian/art related in the avenues first Friday of each month. The Nelson Fine Arts Center—Antione Predock’s subterranean gallery is another watershed in southwestern architecture. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art–Will Bruders unapologetic adaptation of a movie theater come museum. The Ice House is a downtown redo of an old ice factory.”
Best Restaurants
“Chelsea’s Kitchen has modern comfort food and a nice outdoor terrace. Olive & Ivey for al fresco dining in the Scottsdale shopping Mecca; sit and watch the beautiful people… Elements for elegant dining with quiet sunset views from the north side of Camelback Mountain overlooking Paradise Valley. Even if you disagree with his politics Dubya’s taste in Mexican food is impeccable at Tee-Pees. Lastly The G Spot: gelato, you can’t go wrong with gelato.”
Best Hotel
Valley Ho
“Valley Ho is hip redo of a sixties hotel, great restaurant on the ground floor and a martini bar near the pool…”
Best Shopping
Biltmore Fashion Park
“Biltmore Fashion Park is an outdoor pedestrian mall, but in this heat? Are you nuts! Mill Avenue is funky college-town street adjacent to ASU.”
Based on what you have seen and read about this project, how would you grade it? Use the stars below to indicate your assessment, five stars being the highest rating.
