What’s Happening With Tucson’s Uptown Development? Here’s What Locals Should Know

If you’ve lived in Tucson for a while, there’s a good chance you remember when Foothills Mall was actually the place to go.

For years, it was one of the northwest side’s main gathering spots—shopping, movies, restaurants, walking around on weekends. But over time, like a lot of malls across the country, things slowed down.

And for a long time, it felt like the property was just sitting there waiting for someone to figure out what came next.

Now, that “what’s next” is finally taking shape.

And honestly? It’s a much bigger transformation than a lot of people realize.

This Isn’t Just a Mall Renovation

The old Foothills Mall is being redeveloped into a large mixed-use project called Uptown.

Instead of functioning like a traditional enclosed mall, the long-term vision is much more centered around:

• walkability
  
  
• housing
  
  
• restaurants
  
  
• entertainment
  
  
• outdoor gathering spaces
  
  
• retail
  
  
• hospitality
  
  

Think less “old-school mall” and more of the type of live-work-play developments you typically see in places like Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Austin.

A significant portion of the original mall has already been demolished, with local reporting indicating that much of the former structure is now gone as construction continues.

What’s Already Happening at Uptown

This project is no longer just a concept—it’s actively under construction.

Right now, several major pieces are already underway, including:

Luxury Apartments

New apartment buildings are already going up on-site as part of the project’s higher-density living concept.

A Large Parking Garage

A multi-level parking structure has already been built to support the long-term vision for increased activity and walkability throughout the development.

Tempo by Hilton Hotel

A new Tempo by Hilton boutique hotel is currently under construction as part of the project.

Hotel developments like this are often designed to support:

• visitors
  
  
• business travel
  
  
• events
  
  
• nearby dining and entertainment activity
  
  

Outdoor Gathering Areas + Entertainment Spaces

Plans for Uptown also include:

• event lawns
  
  
• splash pads
  
  
• outdoor screens
  
  
• gathering spaces
  
  
• retail storefronts
  
  
• additional restaurants
  
  

The overall goal appears to be creating more of an experience-centered district rather than a single-purpose shopping center.

Some Businesses Are Still Open During Construction

One thing that surprises people is that parts of the property are still operating while redevelopment continues.

Businesses currently open in the area include:

• AMC
  
  
• Barnes & Noble
  
  
• Bath & Body Works
  
  
• Applebee’s
  
  
• Pappoule’s
  
  
• Whiskey Roads
  
  

So while construction is ongoing, the area hasn’t completely shut down.

Why Some People Are Excited About It

A lot of Tucson locals are genuinely excited to see movement happening at the property again.

For years, many residents viewed Foothills Mall as underused or mostly inactive. So for some people, seeing large-scale redevelopment finally happening feels like a positive shift for the northwest side.

Some of the excitement comes from the idea of:

• having more walkable spaces
  
  
• creating more nightlife and entertainment options
  
  
• adding newer restaurants and gathering spaces
  
  
• bringing more energy to the area overall
  
  

For younger buyers and people relocating from larger metro areas, this type of development can also feel more aligned with the lifestyle amenities they’re used to seeing elsewhere.

But Community Reactions Are Definitely Mixed

At the same time, not everyone is fully on board with the changes.

Some residents have raised concerns around:

• increased traffic near Ina and La Cholla
  
  
• higher density
  
  
• pricing and affordability
  
  
• how much the area may change over time
  
  

And honestly, those concerns are part of the conversation anytime a major redevelopment project happens.

Because while some people see growth and opportunity, others worry about:

• congestion
  
  
• rising costs
  
  
• losing the feel of what the area used to be
  
  

Both perspectives exist—and both are understandable.

There’s Still a Lot We Don’t Fully Know Yet

Another important thing to understand is that this project appears to be unfolding in multiple phases.

Which means:

• construction will likely continue for years
  
  
• additional tenants may still be announced
  
  
• some plans could evolve over time
  
  

There’s also been discussion locally about:

• future restaurant announcements
  
  
• additional retail concepts
  
  
• Barnes & Noble potentially relocating within the development
  
  

But until things are formally announced, it’s important not to treat speculation as confirmed information.

What This Could Mean for the Northwest Side Lifestyle-Wise

From a lifestyle perspective, Uptown has the potential to significantly change how this part of Tucson functions socially and commercially.

Instead of being somewhere people drive to briefly and leave, the vision seems much more centered around:

• spending time there
  
  
• gathering
  
  
• living nearby
  
  
• walking between destinations
  
  

That’s a very different model from what Foothills Mall originally was.

And whether people love it or hate it, it’s definitely one of the more ambitious redevelopment projects Tucson has seen in a long time.

Final Thoughts

For a lot of Tucson locals, Foothills Mall carries a lot of nostalgia.

So seeing it transformed into something entirely different is naturally going to bring mixed emotions.

But whether you’re excited about the growth, cautious about the changes, or just curious about what’s happening, one thing is clear:
👉 Uptown is becoming a major part of the northwest side conversation.

And with construction continuing, this project will likely keep evolving for quite a while.

If you’re curious about how different areas of Tucson are changing, what developments are happening around the city, or what lifestyle trends buyers are paying attention to, we’re always happy to help.

Contact us at 520.222.9611 to start the conversation.