A Phoenix community group is rallying for historical preservation status for a mid-century modern building that was once a local favorite, Pedro's Mexican Restaurant. The structure, nestled in the Sunnyslope neighborhood and recognized for its distinct architectural style, stands at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Hatcher Road, as FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
"Isn't it a beautiful building?" said Julia, a supporter of the preservation effort, in an interview obtained by both FOX 10 Phoenix and Yahoo News. The building, erected in 1960, is admired not only for its design but also for the history it's piled over the years. "This is very rare to see a mid-modern century building that has like residential elements be commercial," Julia added.
The space isn't set to remain vacant, with new plans for it to morph into "Rise Over Run," an Arizona-focused taproom and community space. Joe McCallum, the current owner who, along with his brother, purchased the building in 2021, expressed a desire to honor the site's legacy while also propelling the community forward. "We want things to be better here and to improve and to grow, but we also want to embrace the character and culture that was already here," McCallum told FOX 10 Phoenix.
Addressing the building's significance, McCallum pointed out the importance of historical preservation in Phoenix, a city that may lack ancient history but boasts an impressive array of mid-century architecture. "And while we may not stretch back into hundreds of years, what we do have is a lot of great architecture that was built in the mid-century," McCallum mentioned. Julia echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that preservation can prevent demolition and provide opportunities for the owner to apply for grants, in statements obtained by both FOX 10 Phoenix and Yahoo News. "It's a beautiful thing to preserve our history. It's very hard and it's time consuming," Julia said, elucidating the challenges that often dissuade others from seeking such preservation.
