Novus Place, the new main street entertainment district in the latest phase of the Novus Innovation Corridor, adjacent to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, is cooking up great things with Fox Restaurant Concepts as its new anchor tenant. FRC will bring three popular concepts – Flower Child, Blanco Taco Cocina + Cantina, and North Italia – to the entertainment district in the Novus Innovation Corridor.

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Novus Place will ultimately span 275,000 square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Novus Place also will serve as the central gathering place for residents and visitors who want to stroll along shaded walkways, explore on paved bike paths and people-watch at the community’s urban parks and pedestrian promenades.

Under the direction of celebrated restauranteur Sam Fox, Flower Child features an array of delicious, good-for-you salads, bowls, wraps, and plates; Blanco Taco Cocina + Cantina offers a fresh twist on Mexican food and beverage favorites; and North Italia serves up modern Italian cuisine ranging from Chef’s Daily pizzas and handmade pasta to seasonally inspired entrees and craft cocktails.

“There’s a great energy coming to the downtown Tempe area, with a central focus on the Novus project,” Fox said. “We look forward to Blanco Cocina + Cantina, Flower Child, and North Italia having a home at Novus Place and serving more of the Tempe community.”

“With their culinary specialties and distinct energy, FRC’s concept will bring Novus Place to life,” said Charley Freericks, senior vice president of Catellus, the project’s developer.

Novus Innovation Corridor is creating a walkable, sustainable neighborhood destined to become a model for modern urban cities. As one of seven ASU Innovation Zones, Novus will empower businesses of all sizes to grow and scale at an impressive speed while contributing a projected $1.86 billion annually to the local economy.

“The addition of the popular and proven Fox Restaurant Concepts is consistent with Arizona State University’s commitment to best in quality in everything we do within the Novus Innovation District,” said Dr. Morgan Olsen, ASU’s executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. “Our goal is to create a home for employment in cutting-edge industries, access to lifelong learning and education resources and research, with entertainment opportunities and a lifestyle environment that is an asset in the development of the 21st-century university.” 

Novus is a public-private partnership between ASU and Catellus Development Corporation. Upon completion, Novus will also encompass 4.5 million square feet of premium Class A office space, hospitality assets and 4,100 residences.

For more information, visit NovusASU.com.