First and Farmer marks Tempe groundbreaking

Downtown Tempe apartment development to include 20 affordable housing units

Tempe city leaders and dignities joined forces Wednesday with Wexford development and real estate groups to break ground on a new 200-unit multifamily development.

First and Farmer are the new rental apartments to be built in downtown Tempe by Wexford Developments and Wexford Real Estate Investors.

“We are thrilled to be starting construction on a project that will provide additional rental housing options to residents in the city of Tempe,” said Sam Gordon, co-founder and principal of Wexford Developments. “There is significant demand for more housing in this immediate area and First & Farmer will help serve this need.”

First and Farmer is a seven-story building comprised of 200 rental apartments, including 180 market-rate units and 20 affordable housing units, according to a press release. The project’s unit mix is comprised of 18% studios, 62% one-bedroom units and 20% two-bedroom units.

“I’m truly excited that this incredible Wexford Developments project will bring 180 market-rate apartments as well as 20 affordable units to the Farmer Arts District,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “This building is aesthetically beautiful, contains forward-thinking sustainability features, and will bring much-needed additional housing to our community.”

(Photos by David Blakeman)

There will also be a small 750-square-foot retail space on the ground floor, which will be well suited for a coffee shop or juice bar type of use, the press release stated.

Other building amenities include a pool, fitness center, party room, golf simulator, work-from-home office stations, electric vehicle and scooter charging stations, and storage lockers.

“We are pleased to partner with a great organization and to be participating on this exciting project,” said Joseph Jacobs, president of WREI.

The architect for the project is Architekton and the general contractor for the project is Adolfson & Peterson Construction.

“AP has shaped Arizona’s future since 1991. We’re honored to work with Wexford Developments and the City of Tempe to provide much needed housing for Tempe residents. This partnership will set the stage for future development that aligns with our mission of building trust, communities and people,” said Mark Mitchell, director of Business Development for AP Southwest, and former Tempe mayor.

Award-wining interior design firm, Private Label International, was selected by Wexford Developments to design First and Farmer. Private Label worked closely with the project team to develop a design for the interior spaces that pays homage to the unique building exterior and the aesthetically rich landscape of Tempe, the press release stated.

Wexford Developments and WREI acquired the site in November 2017. Sender Associates, Chartered handles zoning entitlements for Wexford Developments and said it is honored to be a part of this unique project that combines sustainability and affordable housing with market-rate residential in downtown Tempe.

Wexford Developments has offices in West Palm Beach, FL, New York, NY and Calgary, Canada.