In a move blending urban development with historical preservation, the City of Tempe has partnered with developers to relocate the historic Harry Walker House, formerly a part of the House of Tricks restaurant. The structure, dating back to 1903, has been shifted from its original Seventh Street plot to a new site next to Tempe City Hall on Fifth Street, reported Tempe.gov.
This relocation took place overnight, a strategic choice that minimized disruption in the bustling area. In its new setting, the Walker House will find renewed purpose, potentially serving as retail or dining space, ensuring that the local community can continue to appreciate its historical significance, and, the character it adds to the Tempe streetscape.
The move is part of a larger development plan involving Core Spaces and Wexford Developments. A new 30-story mixed-use complex is poised to rise on the land formerly home to the Walker House and other plots, as part of the city’s push to cater to its growing housing needs.
Moreover, the city and the developers’ collaboration is preserving another local touchstone — the First Congregational Church, rooted on its ground since 1899. While the church sanctuary built in 1953 will remain at its place on Sixth Street and Myrtle Avenue, the developers will ensure its preservation and, transfer its ownership to the city. “This partnership allows us meet our city’s growing housing need while preserving an iconic piece of Tempe history,” Mayor Corey Woods said in a statement obtained by Tempe.gov.
