The task was straightforward.
Renovate a historic building that has minimal parking but create a space that will draw customers from across Tucson and, at the request of neighbors, no national chains please.
Local developer Larsen Baker managed to do all of that with the former Solot Plaza, 2609 E. Broadway, which has been rebranded Sol Block.
Construction continues on the former Solot Plaza, now known as Sol Block along East Broadway Boulevard on May 1. Local developer Larsen Baker was chosen by Rio Nuevo to redevelop the area and has had great success recruiting tenants to the future complex.
Located along the Sunshine Mile, the Sol Block is within the Rio Nuevo district.
The center was built in the 1950s by Benjamin Solot, who had his realty business there and, over the years, housed various retail businesses.
In the fall of 2022, the Rio Nuevo board chose Larsen Baker as the developer of the project, between Tucson Boulevard and Treat Avenue.
Surrounded by neighborhoods Broadmoor-Broadway Village, Colonia Solana, El Encanto, Mittman and Sam Hughes, the goal was to bring a variety of retail and entertainment venues to neighbors and draw visitors from all over town.
By adding patios along Broadway, and doing the majority of the construction work on the back side of the site, the renovations wonβt result in a shiny, out-of-place venue.
Developer Larsen Baker has already inked leases for nine local tenants at Sol Block, including a relocation for Roccoβs Little Chicago Pizza.
Businesses will be accessible from the south and north side of the development, with patios located on the back side by the parking area.
Larsen Baker has already inked leases for nine local tenants, including a relocation for Roccoβs Little Chicago Pizza.
Decibel Coffee Works will share a patio space with a future restaurant tenant that Larsen Baker is negotiating with now. The block has six spaces still available for lease.
Construction is expected to wrap up in the fall with tenants starting to move in by September.
Sol Block has been selected as a recipient of the Metropolitan Pima Alliance 2024 Common Ground Award.
βThey did a really good job of keeping the culture of that site and added a modern twist to it,β said Allyson Solomon, executive director of MPA, a nonprofit group that promotes collaborative real estate developments.
βAll of the shops are local entrepreneurs, which lifts the local community,β Solomon said. βI think this will be a blueprint for other redevelopments.β
Construction is expected to wrap up on Sol Block in the fall with tenants starting to move in by September.
Sol Block is among several recipients of this yearβs Common Ground Awards.
Other projects being recognized include:
Man in the Maze trail park in Sahuarita
Vistoso Highlands redevelopment
UA βOld Chemβ Chemistry building
Patagonia Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements
Continental Ranch regional pump station force main augmentation
South Houghton/north fairgrounds channel
The awards ceremony will be held May 16 at the Fox Tucson Theatre. Ticket information can be found at mpaaz.org
