The mixed-use destination began construction in 1995 and was completed in 2000. The primary developer was Woodbine Development Corporation of
Dallas. The development concept, urban design plan and design guidelines were prepared by Design Workshop, Inc. (
Denver, CO) and Communication Arts, Inc. (Boulder, CO). Building design was developed and prepared by Nelsen Architects (now known as Nelsen Partners). Originally owned by Westcor, in 2002 Kierland Commons became part of The Macerich Company's portfolio. Signature Properties was the Exclusive Residential Broker for The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons from 2003 through 2013 and remains On-Site to handle resales. Kierland Commons was one of 10 developments honored as award winners by the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) 2009 Awards for Excellence; the 2009 winners were selected from a pool of 140 projects located across the Americas. The awards are widely considered the land-use industry's most prestigious recognition program. Other awards Kierland Commons has received include the 2010 "Crescordia" Award for Environmental Excellence by the Phoenix Valley Forward Association and the 2004 Honor Award given by the Arizona Chapter of the
American Society of Landscape Architects (
ASLA). Kierland Commons was the first
lifestyle center in Arizona. The Main-Street-style development includes shopping, dining, entertainment, office space and upscale loft condominiums, The Plaza Lofts. Kierland Commons was created to serve as the community gathering place for the master-planned community of Kierland, whose notable features include
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, the 27-hole Kierland Golf Club, as well as other residential and commercial entities. Kierland Commons is home to about 75 stores, restaurants and services on approximately and cost approximately US$65 million to build. Like many shopping centers in the Phoenix area, it is managed by the
Westcor division of
Macerich, though majority ownership is held by the developer, Woodbine Development Corporation. Some notable retailers at Kierland Commons include
Anthropologie,
Banana Republic,
BCBG Max Azria,
Coach,
Crate & Barrel,
ECCO,
Eileen Fisher,
J.Crew,
Lucky Brand Jeans,
Michael Kors,
7 for all mankind and
Tommy Bahama. On December 31, 2014, Barnes and Noble closed. File:Kierland - East1 - 2008-04-14.JPG|Main Street (looking east) File:Kierland - North - 2008-04-14.JPG|Kierland Commons (looking north) ==The Plaza Lofts==