Intersection Development, in conjunction with Räkkhaus Studio, announced the completion of its Rainbow Road project located at 1030 N. 1st Ave. in Phoenix. The project’s design incorporates a variety of elements inspired by Nintendo’s video game series Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road track – playful elements, movement, repeating geometric patterns, and color, honed into a striking contemporary building.
LOCAL NEWS: Phoenix housing market outpaces national trends again in 2025
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here
“Rainbow Road is a reminder that cities don’t have to be neutral. They can be playful, imaginative, and alive,” said Zac Cohen, Creative Director at Räkkhaus. “In Roosevelt Row, we merged color, movement, and geometry into a living urban experience — a building that doesn’t just exist, but invites people to pause, reflect, and feel something.”
The building has a unique geometric footprint. It is twelve-sided, creating a shifting visual profile as you move around it. The bold black exterior is offset by the window insets that are painted the colors that directly correspond to the Rainbow Road color sequence as it appears in-game: red, yellow, green, cyan and blue, resulting in a façade that has a sense of animation.
In contrast to the black exterior, a focal point is the rainbow-colored lobby ceiling feature. Designed by Räkkhaus Studio and fabricated by Phoenix-based Porter Barn Wood, it is a custom, layered ceramic installation that brings warmth and movement into the entry. Just outside is a sidewalk art overlay that is a walkable graphic field inspired by the Rainbow Road gradient, designed by Räkkhaus and installed by Glendale-based Creative Paving. The ground floor also features retail spaces, a restaurant concept and a fitness studio. To support pedestrians and bikers, custom-designed bike racks and benches flank the exterior. The profiles of each are a literal interpretation of the Rainbow Road track’s geometry and are powder-coated black to match the building’s façade, with interior accent colors corresponding to the Rainbow Road color scheme and fabricated by local artisan Spectacle Works. An intentional public-facing outdoor space has also been created, which provides a serene and accessible area for relaxation and community engagement. These additions aim to foster greater community engagement and allow a free-flow exchange between interior and exterior spaces.
The building comprises 36 luxury apartments, each meticulously crafted to balance form and function. Every floor is distinguished by a unique color tone inspired by the iconic Mario Kart palette, resulting in a visually engaging vertical sequence of color-coded environments. This distinctive approach not only creates a dynamic aesthetic but also reinforces the building’s connection to its playful design inspiration. Each apartment has a unique layout or spatial configuration; no two units are alike, ensuring that every home has its own distinct character and relationship to natural light, the surrounding streetscape, and external views. This variety offers residents a truly individualized living experience within the vibrant community.
Additionally, care was taken in design and construction to focus on noise reduction and providing optimal lighting, contributing to a peaceful and comfortable environment. The apartments feature sleek finishes and thoughtful details, embodying the essence of luxury living while seamlessly integrating cutting-edge home automation and smart technology. This modern approach ensures convenience, efficiency, and a heightened living experience for residents.
Located in the center of the city’s Arts District, Rainbow Road connects residents to a diverse array of restaurants, distinctive shops, and cultural landmarks. More than just a residential building, Rainbow Road thrives as a lively community hub, igniting creativity and interaction through its bustling art galleries and commercial venues filled with artists, business owners, and visionaries.
For more information on the Rainbow Road apartments, visit www.rainbowroadphx.com. To keep up with Intersection Development and Räkkhaus, visit the website at https://intersectiondev.com/ and www.rakk.haus/.
