Multistudio Towers With Crisp White Skin in Downtown Phoenix

Central Station Phoenix is a landmark mixed-use project by Multistudio. It reimagines multimodal urban growth on a former transit facility.

Set on 2.6 acres near a major urban park and ASU’s downtown campus, the development consolidates living, working, and social life into a walkable, transit-oriented district. The project is anchored by a two-tower ensemble.

Project concept and urban context

At roughly one million square feet, Central Station creates a pedestrian-focused gateway for downtown Phoenix. The site sits next to an urban park and ASU’s downtown campus, making it a key location for mobility and city life.

The 2.6-acre site includes two white residential towers. One is a 33-story apartment tower, and the other is a 22-story student-housing tower. Both rise from a ground level designed for shops, restaurants, outdoor seating, and civic space.

The project was delivered through a public–private partnership. The City of Phoenix keeps ownership of the land and transit facilities, while private partners lease and finance the build.

This arrangement aligns city transit goals with private investment. It supports growth while focusing on street life and safety.

Multimodal design and transit integration

Transit is integrated into the urban fabric. Light-rail stops border the site, bus bays are at the center, and a transit center is within the lower two levels of the 22-story tower.

Storefronts, lobbies, and pathways wrap around the transit bays. This ensures visibility, activity, and safety, making riders part of the site’s social life.

Architectural response and material strategy

The towers use concrete frames with prefabricated EIFS cladding, glazing, panels, and fins. Facades are designed for sun exposure, with narrow windows and shading panels on the east and west sides.

Every fourth floor slab extends to form shading shelves that support vertical fins. This layering helps reduce solar gain.

The white exterior was chosen for its reflective properties, helping to reduce heat in Phoenix’s arid climate. It also reflects the regional architectural style of light-colored finishes.

Urban vitality and context

Central Station supports downtown revitalization and transit expansion. It strengthens growth around ASU’s downtown campus and the city’s light-rail network.

By combining a lively ground level with a strong transit center, the project brings together university life, civic spaces, and commercial activity into a walkable district.

Key design takeaways for future developments

For practitioners, Central Station demonstrates a scalable model for mixed-use, transit-oriented development in hot arid climates.

Key considerations include:

• Transit integration at the core: Place light-rail stops, bus bays, and a transit hub within the building layout. Provide pedestrian connections that encourage use.
• Porous ground plane: Design a street-level landscape and retail edge. Activate the edge to foster social life around transit facilities.
• Climate-responsive envelope: Use shading shelves, vertical fins, and reflective surfaces to reduce solar gain and enhance comfort. Reference regional architectural language.
• Public-private partnership: Use a governance model that keeps land and transit amenities publicly owned. Allow private actors to fund and operate development components.
• Urban gateway strategy: Create a clear, pedestrian-focused gateway. Anchor downtown revitalization and campus integration.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Multistudio designs towers with “crisp white skin” in Downtown Phoenix