ABQ Uptown Is Albuquerque's Newest Lifestyle Center
When Frank Marcello decided to open the restaurant of his dreams‚ he knew it needed to be something truly special.
It needed a unique menu‚ a thorough wine list and a warm‚ inviting atmosphere. But above all else‚ perhaps‚ it needed an uptown address.
“This is probably one of the few best restaurant locations in the city‚” says Marcello‚ who opened Marcello’s Chop house amidst the eclectic mix of retailers and other businesses that make up Albuquerque’s first true mixed-use lifestyle center known as ABQ Uptown. “I’m very excited.”
Located at the corner of Louisiana and Indian School Northeast‚ ABQ Uptown held its grand opening in November 2006 with several high-end retailers making their debut in Albuquerque. Pottery Barn‚ Sharper Image‚ Loop‚ Jared The Galleria of Jewelry‚ Coldwater Creek‚ Jos. A. Bank‚ Elephant Bar Restaurant and Bravo Cucina Italiana are just some of the new companies to come to the Duke City.
The retail component of the project is expected to be finished by fall 2007. Phase 2 will consist of 200 loft-style residential units‚ and Phase 3 will include hotels‚ office space and additional retailers.
The development is a boon in several ways for Albuquerque‚ according to John Sedberry of Sedberry & Associates‚ leasing agent for the project.
“The impact is significant on many levels‚” says Sedberry‚ who has been involved in the project since it was conceived in the late 1990s. “The retail market in Albuquerque needed a venue that delivered the right tenant mix‚ the right site plan and the right amenities to be able to bring these (high-end national) tenants to the marketplace.
“This just fuels many different positive things‚ and it trickles down to so many other areas‚” he continues. “When an employer comes into the market‚ they’ll see how the whole city has been elevated with something of this magnitude. So it helps to attract companies that are considering relocating their employees and top executives. They like seeing these amenities.”
Local businesses are excited about being a part of ABQ Uptown. La Bella Spa & Salon‚ one of Albuquerque’s most popular spas‚ opened a 25‚000-square-foot location in the shopping area earlier this year.
“We saw ABQ Uptown as a high-in-demand location for consumers in Albuquerque looking for an upscale‚ trendy place to be‚” says Reta Jones‚ chief operating officer for La Bella. “It’s an atmosphere that we thought would be consistent with what our image is. We thought it would be a good marriage between the shoppers and our spa.”
Marcello believes ABQ Uptown is not only a perfect fit for his restaurant and other local business‚ but it also brings a certain spark the city has been missing.
“There were none of these higher-end stores here‚” he says. “When they came here‚ it offered a fresh view for Albuquerque.”
