Downtown Mesa sings with Melody on Main
May 14—A new tune is coming in waves to downtown Mesa in the form of a live-work-play community called Melody on Main.
On May 7, a ribbon-cutting celebration marked the end of construction.
Melody on Main has over 300 luxury apartment units and space for nearly 13,000 square feet of retail. Its name derives from its location in the Mesa Arts District, which overall influenced the design choices.
The site had been home to the Brown and Brown Chevrolet dealership, which spanned nearly a city block and was a point of pride for Mesa for generations that sent thousands of customers motoring off in their new automobiles.
But as with almost all the historic businesses that used to line Main Street, Brown & Brown Chevrolet eventually motored off itself, leaving behind an almost 10-acre scar in the heart of the city.
The project to replace it, from start to finish, took five years to complete by The Opus Group.
"The concept that came for us was this idea of being porous, allowing people to move through the space and not making people just work around the space," said Opus Group President/CEO Dean Newins.
He said the design team kept in mind the scale of the project and was mindful of the surrounding neighborhoods.
When it comes to the amenities offered, there is not a dull tune.
"We have something for everybody," said Megan Cave, community manager for Melody on Main.
Amenities include Wi-Fi throughout the community, a 24-hour fitness studio, rooftop lounge, a resort-inspired pool with shade cabanas, a dog park, pet spa, package lockers, and EV charging stations.
The complex offers a range of apartment sizes, from studios to three-bedroom townhomes and everything in between. Move-in began in March 2023 and so far 152 residents live there.
The developer called the complex a new way of living and working in the downtown area, especially since some people can own their own business on the first floor while living upstairs.
"We'd love it to be a local user, but we're also considering national as well'" said Jamie Gerber, senior manager of real estate development with The OPUS Group.
Added Cave: "Food would be great, maybe a coffee shop or something, but we're really open to anything."
"Main Street is all locally owned businesses," she said, "and then we want to kind of keep that authentic of our entrepreneur right here in the heart of downtown." However, if franchises are interested, Opus Group would consider them.
Justin Steltenpohl, COO and general counsel for developer P.B. Bell, said Melody on Main is a forward-looking concept.
"I think there's a lot of communities that do that, and I do think that a lot of cities are focusing on wanting mixed-use," he said. "I don't know if I'd say it's a wave of the future or a continuation of stuff that's already occurred."
The complex's location is ideal as it is close to transit, up-and-coming restaurants and entertainment.
"This project ties into the fabric of downtown," said Terry Madeksza, president and executive director for the Downtown Mesa Association, noting its proximity to Mesa Arts Center, Rebel Lounge and City Hall — "so people can be engaged in local government."
She says that Mesa has extended an open invitation to all to explore what downtown has to offer.
"Melody on Main was music to the downtown ears," said Councilwoman Jenn Duff, whose district includes downtown.
