Basement Below Revitalized Building Provides Unique Way to Utilize Space
The iconic Burgbacher Building at Park Central in Phoenix has undergone a unique transformation that is bringing new life to its expansive basement space.
In a creative move to enhance the property’s utility, this previously underutilized area is being converted into a state-of-the-art self-storage facility, showcasing the creativity and practicality of adaptive reuse development.
Park Central’s historic mixed-use development has utilized an innovative approach to revitalizing spaces while preserving the original structures in the property. This latest project embodies the principles of adaptive reuse by repurposing the expansive basement into a practical and valuable asset.
The end result is a 40,000-square-foot self-storage facility with 426 units that adds another convenient use to the walkable urban district, helping reduce the need for residents and visitors to drive elsewhere for their needs.
The facility repurposes the underutilized basement of the Burgbacher Building, which was previously home to a call center and has been vacant since 2020 due to the shift to remote work. Customers will enter through a new storefront on the northwest corner of the building and use a new industrial elevator to access the storage units at the basement level.
Campbell Development, serving as the general contractor for this project, worked closely with the Park Central development team to ensure a seamless and efficient transformation. Skyler Burgoyne of Plaza Companies was the construction manager for the development team.
This project supports the growing storage demand in the increasingly dense district, adding appeal and value to both the property and the neighborhood. It also shows how self-storage can fit seamlessly into a mixed-use environment.
“This project represents a remarkable fusion of functionality and sustainability,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman & CEO of Plaza Companies, one of the co-developers of the project. “By converting the Burgbacher’s basement into a self-storage facility, we’re addressing a common urban challenge — the demand for convenient and secure storage — while preserving the integrity of one of Park Central’s landmark structures.”
The new self-storage facility in the Burgbacher building — the largest of the original buildings at Park Central — includes high-quality materials, strategic lighting, and a carefully planned footprint to meet modern storage standards. The facility will offer secure, climate-controlled units in various sizes to cater to the needs of residents, local businesses and professionals.
“The conversion not only enhances the value of the Burgbacher Building but also underscores Park Central’s reputation as a vibrant, multi-faceted community hub,” said Richard Kauffman, CEO of Holualoa Companies. “By incorporating this new use, Park Central’s role in Phoenix’s urban fabric includes space for living, working, dining and now, convenient storage.”
The Self Storage is set to open by February 1.
Plaza Companies and Tucson’s Holualoa Companies have teamed up to redevelop Park Central, once the city’s first large-scale shopping mall, into a vibrant nearly 500,000-square-foot bustling community destination ideal for playing, working, congregating, and celebrating the arts.
The new Park Central includes 500,000 square feet of Class A creative office and retail space available for lease with the ability to accommodate tenants ranging from 3,500 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet in size. It features exclusive tenant patios, on-site restaurants and amenities, a stunning mid-century modern design, 15- to 25-foot ceilings, convenient bike path and light rail access and ample parking. For more information on the project, visit www.parkcentralphoenix.com.