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Johnston Marklee's mint-green Ray Phoenix tower opens in Roosevelt Row

architecture-design · 2026-05-11

Johnston Marklee has completed Ray Phoenix, a 26-storey residential tower in Phoenix's Roosevelt Row Arts District. The building, clad in a mint green metal facade inspired by the desert, contains 401 apartments—mostly studios—plus amenity spaces including a gym, communal kitchen, sunken lounge, and resort-style pool deck. Co-developed by New York-based Ray and Kansas-based Vela, the project aims to integrate art and design into daily life. Interiors by Ray's in-house team and Parts and Labor Design feature concrete, brick, glazed tile, and blond oak. Landscaping by Grace Fuller Design uses native North American plants. A lobby mural by Alex Israel depicts local flora, and works by Carlisle Burch and rocki swiderski are placed throughout. An exhibition space, Studio 105, and a future ground-level retail market are also included. The tower's consistent grid, per founding partner Sharon Johnston, unites living units with communal spaces. Photography by William Jess Laird.

Key facts

  • Johnston Marklee designed Ray Phoenix, a 26-storey residential tower in Phoenix's Roosevelt Row Arts District.
  • The building is clad in a mint green metal facade informed by the surrounding desert.
  • Ray Phoenix contains 401 apartments, mostly studios, with one- and two-bedroom units.
  • Amenities include a gym with outdoor patio, communal kitchen, sunken lounge, and resort-style pool deck with hot tub.
  • The project was co-developed by New York developer Ray and Kansas-based developer Vela.
  • Interiors were designed by Ray's in-house team and Parts and Labor Design.
  • Landscaping by Grace Fuller Design uses primarily native North American plants including perennials, cacti, and grasses.
  • A lobby mural by Alex Israel depicts local plant species, and works by Carlisle Burch and rocki swiderski are featured.
  • The building includes an exhibition space called Studio 105 and will have a ground-level retail market.
  • Photography is by William Jess Laird.

Entities

Artists

  • Sharon Johnston
  • Marklee
  • Alex Israel
  • Carlisle Burch
  • rocki swiderski
  • Grace Fuller
  • William Jess Laird

Institutions

  • Johnston Marklee
  • Ray
  • Vela
  • Parts and Labor Design
  • Grace Fuller Design
  • Dezeen

Locations

  • Phoenix
  • Arizona
  • Roosevelt Row Arts District
  • New York
  • Kansas

Sources