This article appeared in the Scottsdale Downtowner January 2008

Designer for Cities

By Ed Sweet

"They handed us the keys and a hard hat, and said we could move in," recalls architect John Labahn of his first day at Optima Camelview Village. "We were the fifth party to take up residence."

One year later, living in a construction site is showing signs of paying off. The development is fast becoming one of downtown Scottsdale's landmark addresses.

"We survived the early days...sort of. We really like the property and it keeps getting better and better," Labahn says. "They just opened the second pool, which is the first outdoor pool."

Labahn works out of his home, so he's glad the days of heavy machinery are more or less behind him. "It really makes sense for home officing," Labahn says. "The location is great, and there's a business center with a conference room. I save lots of money on gas, car maintenance, and, most importantly, time."

Labahn and his wife both enjoy the "small town feel" of the community and how it connects them to the downtown Scottsdale lifestyle. "There's still a bit of a cheese factor and skin-deep people here, but there's also a lot to love," Labahn says. "We're within walking distance of some pretty cool places."

Stax Burger Bistro (4400 N. Scottsdale Road) is a particular favorite of the Labahns. "It's a little slider place...Very well done with a cool atmosphere," he describes. "My wife dreams about their veggie burger. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but we went there when it opened and went again the next night. They're getting to know us really well over there."

Coming from Labahn, that's quite a compliment. This architect designs, among other things, some really cool restaurants. He's partly responsible for the Pinkberry Yogurt phenomenon in San Francisco, and is currently working on two projects here in the Valley: an urban take on the Huntington Beach, Calif.-based franchise Chronic Tacos in Tempe; and Christopher's in the Biltmore Fashion Park. "I actually met Don Plato, the visionary behind Christopher's, at one of his other establishments, the Gelato Spot (4166 N. Scottsdale Road)," Labahn says. "We got to talking and really hit it off."

Labahn's other architectural claims to fame include a number of Valley hair salons, being on the project teams for American West Arena and Bank One Ballpark, and designing the tallest building in the Southern Caribbean. He's also committed to revitalizing Third Street in Phoenix between McDowell and Indian School Roads. "It's going to be the next Old Town Scottsdale," he says with a grin.