Few places reflect Phoenix’s transformation more clearly than Park Central—and few builders have been more closely tied to that story than Kitchell. From its earliest days as a dairy farm to today’s dynamic mixed-use campus, Kitchell’s long-term role in the development reflects the impact of building with vision and purpose.
Transforming Farmland into a Community Anchor
In the 1950s, while most saw the site as little more than remote farmland, developers Ralph and A.J. Burgbacher envisioned something far greater—a modern retail destination that would serve a growing city. To bring that vision to life, they turned to Kitchell. In 1957, Kitchell completed Park Central Shopping City: a pioneering 11-acre, open-air retail center featuring modern amenities for its time, like air-conditioning. It was a first for the region and set a new standard for shopping in the Valley.
Decades of Reinvention
As Phoenix grew, Park Central grew with it, and Kitchell remained the trusted builder behind every major transformation:
In 1967, Kitchell added a 240,000-square-foot JCPenney—then the largest suburban department store in the nation—along with a 350-vehicle covered parking garage to shield shoppers from the desert heat. A newspaper photo from the groundbreaking captured the leadership team in white summer tuxedos and cummerbunds, celebrating in classic 1960’s style.
Over the next two decades, Kitchell remained a driving force behind Park Central’s evolution. In 1977, a 33,000-square-foot remodel unified the original mall structures. Just a few years later, in 1980, a new 17,000-square-foot Walgreens expanded the retail mix. By 1985, the site underwent a sweeping update—adding 5,000 square feet of new space, remodeling 45,000 square feet, and constructing 54,000 square feet of new walkways. These phased enhancements helped solidify Park Central’s place as the retail heart of Uptown Phoenix.
By the mid-1980s, Park Central had become one of Arizona’s defining destinations—with Kitchell as its long-term partner in growth.
Delivering the Next Chapter
More than 60 years after its original debut, Park Central entered a new era, and once again, Kitchell helped lead the way. In 2020, partnering with GLHN Architects and Engineers, Kitchell completed the Catalina Parking Garage: a 10-level, 2,000-space facility built on the south side of the campus to meet the growing needs of a revitalized district. As Arizona’s tallest precast parking structure, it was delivered on an accelerated design-build schedule and thoughtfully designed to blend into its surroundings.
Featuring one of the largest public art installations in Arizona, The New Archive brings bold color and meaning to the site—turning the garage into both a civic landmark and a point of pride.
Built to Endure
From delivering Phoenix’s first modern shopping center to constructing Arizona’s tallest precast parking structure, Kitchell has been instrumental in shaping Park Central—creating spaces built not just to last—but to evolve alongside the people and communities they serve.