In a groundbreaking decision on November 13, the Scottsdale City Council gave the green light for the CrackerJax redevelopment project, famously recognized as “The Parque.” This transformative $1 billion-plus mixed-use development marks a significant stride in the city’s urban evolution. With a resounding 5-2 majority vote, the Council endorsed an ordinance and two resolutions, paving the way for this ambitious initiative.
Following the decisive vote, Kurtz and his development team are eager to propel the CrackerJax redevelopment project forward expeditiously. Kurtz expressed his optimistic outlook to the Business Journal, stating, “We’ll look forward to transforming that site from what it is today into something sustainable and impactful for Scottsdale. We’re hoping [to start the transformation] as soon as we can, pending working with the architects and getting through the necessary steps to commence construction.”
The Parque project is strategically positioned to rejuvenate the former CrackerJax amusement park site in North Scottsdale—a location synonymous with opulence in the Valley and host to numerous billion-dollar developments. Spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur George Kurtz, co-founder, and CEO of cybersecurity titan CrowdStrike and a prominent figure in Arizona’s affluent elite, The Parque signifies a pivotal chapter in the city’s landscape.
Overseeing the land-use legalities for The Parque is John Berry of Berry Riddell LLC. Having acquired the land for the CrackerJax redevelopment project in 2022 for a sum of $55.5 million, Kurtz expressed his vision for The Parque as “a transformational, sustainable mixed-use campus,” aimed at catalyzing the influx of top innovators, technology entrepreneurs, knowledge workers, and venture capitalists to fortify Scottsdale’s burgeoning technology cluster
What’s in Store for CrackerJax redevelopment project, The Parque?
The plans for The Parque encompass a diverse array of offerings, breathing new life into the former CrackerJax amusement park site. The development includes 1,182 dwelling units spanning apartment buildings, workforce housing, and hotel-branded condominiums. The CrackerJax redevelopment project will also feature a 223-key five-star hotel, a substantial 150,000-square-foot office building, and over 25,000 square feet allocated for retail, complemented by nearly 35,000 square feet dedicated to restaurants. The comprehensive vision for the project totals over 2 million square feet, with the planned 12 buildings ranging in height from one to 10 stories, the tallest towering at 117 feet.
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The development team for The Parque, led by George Kurtz and David Megdal, has enlisted Nelsen Partners as the project architect. Renowned for their work on prominent Valley retail developments such as Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, as well as iconic landmarks like the Arizona Biltmore, Nelsen Partners brings a wealth of experience to the CrackerJax redevelopment project. In addition to their involvement in The Parque mixed-use development in Scottsdale, the Texas-based firm is actively contributing to the development of the Five North commercial core in the Vistancia community in northwest Peoria.
