English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Tempe, AZ

Empire Group of Companies, through its luxury urban infill division Aspirant Development, announces Revelry, a new Class A mixed-use high-rise community coming to Tempe. This marks the first public announcement of the project, which is expected to break ground this spring on the southeast corner of Rural Road and University Drive.

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Designed as a landmark addition to Tempe’s growth, Revelry will feature 533 residential units across two towers rising 17 and 15 stories, encompassing approximately 850,000 square feet. The project will offer a curated mix of furnished and unfurnished residences, along with ground-level and second-floor retail space designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood.

“Revelry represents our belief that successful urban high-rise projects must be intentional in every aspect, from design and amenities to how they engage the surrounding neighborhood,” said Geoffrey Jacobs, Managing Partner of Aspirant Development. “Located at one of Tempe’s most active intersections, Revelry benefits from exceptional visibility, direct access to ASU, and a dense surrounding population. Tempe continues to evolve as a dynamic urban environment where people want to live and work and Revelry will deliver a best-in-class residential experience that raises the bar.”

The project is designed to rival top urban high-rise communities nationwide and features elevated lifestyle amenities including pickleball courts, wellness spaces, sauna, cold plunge, aromatherapy rooms, yoga terrace, lounges with a bar and fireplace, a golf simulator, a bowling alley, arcade and dog spa. The community also includes a resort-style pool and landscaped 27,000 square foot outdoor deck, co-working spaces and coffee bar, a state-of-the-art fitness center, onsite garage self-storage, a bike room, a mezzanine leasing office and approximately 5,500 square feet of retail space on the first floor across two suites, with an additional 10,800 square feet on the second floor.

Project partners include Gensler Architects, Layton Construction as general contractor, and Diversified Partners as the retail broker.

“Revelry is designed to introduce something truly special to Tempe, and we are thrilled to be part of an innovative blend of retail and dining experiences that fosters connection and serves college students, Tempe residents, and visitors alike,” said Marti Weinstein of Diversified Partners. “We’re proud to deliver a high-profile, beautifully designed destination that elevates local businesses, celebrates creativity, and brings fresh energy to this growing area of the city.”

Revelry reflects Aspirant Development’s focus on design-forward high-rise communities that elevate the resident experience, while contributing thoughtfully to the urban fabric. Situated in the heart of Tempe near University Drive, Mill Avenue, downtown Tempe, and light rail routes, Revelry is surrounded by a highly educated, youthful, and affluent population. Within a five-mile radius, the area is home to more than 350,000 residents, more than 314,000 daytime employees, and average household incomes exceeding $100,000, reinforcing the site’s long-term demand for both luxury residential living and complementary street-level retail.

PHOENIX — Kick off the year with excitement! Experience vibrant cultural festivals, free family activities, and exciting car events!

is helping you make exciting plans for the family with this month's Things To Do roundup!

Check out the fun lineup below:

Experience Polynesia

Experience Polynesia without leaving the Valley! The Musical Instrument Museum is taking guests on a musical journey through the vibrant sounds and cultures of Polynesia during a two-day event.

This signature event will feature live performances, dance workshops, and guests can learn about traditional and contemporary instruments. The event schedule can be found here.

The Arizona Wine Festival

Looking to wine down with some friends? The Arizona Wine Festival is taking place in Downtown Phoenix, showcasing amazing flavors from across the state! Ticket prices vary as there are presales for the event.

Transport yourself to another continent at the Asian Festival! This two-day event in Mesa features live performances, delicious cuisine, and distinctive crafts—all in one exciting location!

The third annual 'Tempe Blooms' event offers stunning displays, live music, informative seminars, and a vibrant floral market—guaranteeing a fun-filled day for the whole family to flourish together.

Participate in hot air balloon rides and experience 'Desert Glows,' a display of tethered balloons lighting up the night. The event also features the 9th Annual Street FoodFest, offering a diverse selection of culinary delights.

Tickets for the 15th Annual Arizona Balloon Classic are $18 in advance (excluding hot air balloon rides), $20 at the gate, with parking at $10, and free admission for active military, veterans, and children 12 and under.

Get ready to twirl into a world of magic as your favorite Disney characters come to life!

This free, family-friendly cosplay event will feature local artists and authors, costume contests, entertaining games, and a diverse selection of vendors, providing fun for attendees of all ages.

This is the inaugural year of the event, promising to feature over 100 authors, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, vendors, and much more.

WestWorld of Scottsdale is gearing up to host an exciting event that will delight car enthusiasts of all ages! Kicking off the festivities on Friday, January 16, is the ‘Rock the Block’ concert featuring Cole Swindell and Chase Rice.

A nonprofit coffee shop with a purpose is almost ready to flip the sign to “open.”

Ri’s Coffee will be located near 17th Avenue and Camelback Road.

ABC15's Cameron Polom checks in with employees who are preparing for their first shifts and hears from the founders who are reflecting on their mission and future with the community. Watch the full story in the video player above.

The limited-time experience will show what life was like in Pompeii. The collections depict a time long ago - 79 A.D. - just before Mount Vesuvius's eruption froze Pompeii in time.

Visitors to the exhibition at the Arizona Science Center will be immersed in a recreated Roman city with visualizations, a holographic gladiatorial combat display, a 4D theater portraying Vesuvius’s eruption, and haunting casts of victims frozen in time.

The Sonoran Desert comes alive in a whole new way at the Desert Botanical Garden!

A groundbreaking new exhibit called "Framerate: Desert Pulse" by ScanLAB Projects, uses photography, motion, and sound to immerse you in the vivid landscapes and emotional rhythms of the desert.

Kaos Hospitality announced it will break ground on its latest concept, Wood and Water, later this year. Wood and Water, located at 410 N. Scottsdale Rd., is Kaos’ third Tempe restaurant. It is an Asian-inspired seafood concept bringing elevated, fresh-from-the-ocean delicacies to the community. Wood and Water is scheduled to open in late fall of 2026.

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“We have been met with open arms and such enthusiasm from the community at Three Thirty Three, and we are excited to introduce Tempe and the surrounding areas to more of our restaurants,” said John DeVries, CEO of Kaos Hospitality, who developed the concept for Wood and Water with Haylee Nguyen, executive vice president of Kaos. “At Wood and Water, seafood is our love language, and we believe it will exceed diners’ expectations of what a seafood restaurant can be.”

The new restaurant is a 9,000-square-foot space featuring a patio. It is located in Tempe’s Watermark, where Kaos’ other concepts Three Thirty Three, which opened in December 2024, and 212° Shabu Shabu, opening in late 2025, reside.

The design of the restaurant is much aligned with its name. Upon completion, Wood and Water will feature an airy, open design with beautiful wood finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows boasting panoramic views of Tempe Town Lake, lush green foliage, a massive 5,000-gallon shark tank, and live crab and seafood tanks. Like its sister concepts, Wood and Water’s menu will take inspiration from Asian cuisine, showcasing incredibly fresh and elevated seafood-forward options alongside home-cooked favorites.

Groundbreaking is expected by year’s end. Additional information on buildout and opening date is forthcoming.

For more information about the new restaurant, visit https://woodandwaterrestaurants.com/.

New Year’s Eve in the Valley is all about the party. But for nearly 30 years, one celebration loomed larger than the rest: Tempe’s New Year’s Eve block party on Mill Avenue.

From 1985 to 2014, the massive outdoor event became Arizona’s biggest New Year’s Eve draw. Streets shut down. Stages went up. Massive revelry ensued each year.

Tens of thousands packed Mill Avenue for a shared countdown that felt bigger, louder and more communal than anything else in the state. Tempe’s block parties were an inconic and beloved staple of New Year’s Eve in the Valley.

Originally launched as the Fiesta Bowl Block Party by the Mill Avenue Merchants Association, the annual New Year’s Eve blowout mixed national touring acts with hometown favorites. Bands like Styx, the Doobie Brothers and Blues Traveler headlined, as did Arizona-born band Gin Blossoms and Jimmy Eat World.

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During the Tostitos years, a midnight chip drop capped the night, turning the final seconds of the year into a spectacle locals still talk about.

At its peak, Tempe’s New Year’s Eve block party pulled crowds topping 100,000 and drew national attention. Multiple promoters, sponsors and city partners helped make it happen over the years, including Scottsdale-based production company Entertainment Solutions, which worked on the event for more than two decades.

“It helped put Tempe on the map,” says Ken Koziol, the company’s co-owner.

Former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman told Phoenix New Times the block parties were affairs to remember.

“They showcased the city on a national stage and what it could do,” Hallman says.

Tempe’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza also helped inspire similar block parties in downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale. None matched Tempe’s scale, staying power or draw.

Like most great parties, it eventually burned out. After the Fiesta Bowl left Sun Devil Stadium for Glendale in 2006, organizers chased new partnerships, including a stint with the Insight Bowl. By the early 2010s, the event shed its branding. The final Tempe New Year’s Eve block party took place in 2014, after Mill Avenue bar owners opted against closing the street again. Just like that, a Valley tradition went quiet.

Mill Avenue still lights up every Dec. 31, packed with bar-hoppers and late-night revelers. But for those who remember the stages, the chip drops and the shoulder-to-shoulder countdowns, nothing quite compares.

Here’s a look back at photos from Tempe’s New Year’s Eve block parties over the years.

Considering a move to Tempe, Arizona? With a population of around 186,000, Tempe offers a vibrant, youthful community rooted in education, technology, and desert living. Whether you’re a young professional, student, or small family, here’s what to know before relocating.

Who Lives in Tempe?

Tempe has a relatively young and educated population. The median age is about 30.5 years, and over 52% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the U.S. average. With a median household income of approximately $77,643 and an average income close to $100,000, Tempe supports an economy that blends academia, innovation, and lifestyle appeal.

Tempe Housing Market 2025: What to Expect

The Tempe housing market in 2025 reflects steady demand and modest corrections. The median home price is around $480,000, with some estimates quoting a typical value near $462,000, a slight year-over-year decrease. Renting is also popular; average rents are about $1,429/month, with over 5,300 units currently listed.

Those considering renting will find more flexibility, particularly useful for students and early-career professionals. However, renters should act decisively, as demand can spike seasonally, especially near Arizona State University and popular mixed-use neighborhoods.

Cost of Living in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe’s cost of living is about 11% above the U.S. average. The steepest costs come from housing, which is about 37% higher than the national norm. While groceries and transportation are closer to average, you’ll want to plan ahead for utility spikes, especially electricity during the intense summer months. People unfamiliar with desert climates should anticipate notably higher cooling bills from May through September.

To live comfortably with Tempe’s amenities and costs, ensure your income aligns with mid-to-upper income brackets, particularly if buying property or managing a family household budget.

Commute & Transportation

Average commute times in Tempe are shorter than in many metro areas, about 21.4 minutes. Most residents drive alone (60.6%), while 8% carpool and nearly 20% work from home. The city’s layout and transit make it convenient to live near work or study locations, minimizing time on the road. A smart move is choosing neighborhoods with proximity to employment centers or public transit lines to enhance daily life.

Best Neighborhoods in Tempe for Young Professionals

Your choice of neighborhood will affect commute times, housing prices, and overall lifestyle, so weigh urban energy against space and budget accordingly.

Who Thrives in Tempe

However, anyone moving here should be mindful of housing competition, seasonal heat, and costs associated with utilities and transportation.

Practical Moving Tips

Moving to Tempe, AZ, can be a smart decision for many, offering great weather, job opportunities, and a youthful, vibrant community. While housing and utilities require financial planning, the lifestyle rewards often outweigh these costs, especially if you’re strategic about location and timing. Whether you’re buying, renting, or building a new life, Tempe’s unique blend of desert charm and urban efficiency promises a compelling place to call home.