HFM Experience

OUR STORY

Welcome to the Hayden Flour Mill Experience, a vibrant blend of history and modernism.

This creative redevelopment, spearheaded by Venue Projects and Sunbelt Holdings, aspires to transform Tempe’s iconic landmark into a dynamic destination and experience featuring new restaurants, shops, offices, plazas, open park space, recreational, cultural and entertainment activities amidst sensitively rehabilitated historic mill structures and site.

Designed in collaboration with the historic preservation community, the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Ak Chin Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation) and local stakeholders, the project honors Tempe’s and Arizona’s rich heritage while introducing innovative and exciting amenities.

This long-term initiative promises to rejuvenate the area, enhance downtown vibrancy, and celebrate the cultural significance of Tempe Butte (aka O’odham: ‘Oidbad Do’ag; Hayden Butte; A-Mountain), ensuring the Hayden Flour Mill Experience remains a cherished landmark destination for future generations.

Stay connected with us for exciting updates and amazing experiences ahead!

Team
COLLABORATORS
DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Photography provided by: Don Dillon

THE HISTORY

Charles T. Hayden

1870 (NOVEMBER)

Tucson merchant Charles T. Hayden heads a group of investors who file a claim with Maricopa County to establish a flour mill at the base of Tempe Butte, along with the necessary water rights needed to provide hydraulic power to the mill.

Hayden Flour Mill

1872

Charles T. Hayden hires P. B. Blaine to build his flour mill.  Blaine completes construction of the Hayden Flour Mill in May 1874. 

HFM

Mid-1870’s


Hayden Flour Mill

circa 1884

West face of the mill – built onto the mill in the early to mid-1880s 


Railroad Access

1887

The tracks of the Maricopa & Phoenix Railroad reach Tempe, providing the Hayden Flour Mill and other Tempe businesses with access to the national railroad system for the first time.

Calaboose

1888

Maricopa County grants permission for the town of Tempe to build a calaboose (a small, one-room jail meant for temporary housing of prisoners).  The calaboose is built just south of the Mill.  The building is composed of steel inner cage, reinforced on the exterior by red brick.   

Fire

1895

A fire destroys the warehouse that Charles Hayden used for the storage of grain and miscellaneous hardware. Formerly the location of Hayden’s blacksmith and wagon shop, the building was the original home of the Tempe Daily News until the newspaper was relocated to 4th Street and Maple around 1890.

*
Since the 1960s, the mistaken belief has arisen that the Flour Mill itself was destroyed by the 1895 fire. Neither newspaper accounts from the time period, nor fire insurance maps from the 1890s, or in fact any other sources from the 1890s support this belief. The original Mill survived until it was destroyed by fire in 1917. 

Photo year: 1890

Wagon and horses

1896

The Native American farmer seen here with his wagon is likely a member of the O’odham or Piipaash tribes from the Salt River or Gila River Indian Communities. These farmers had a long history of doing business with the Hayden Flour Mill, and they likely brought the majority of their wheat crops to this mill every harvest season. The business relationship between these Native American farmers and the Hayden Flour Mill likely continued well into the 20th century. 

Hayden Flour Mill

Hydrolic power system

Hayden’s Flour Mill and water trough to turn water wheel that furnished power to run the Mill. Water was taken from the Hayden Ditch and dropped twenty-four feet onto a water wheel which turned the big stones grinding the wheat into flour. 


Calaboose is demolished

1912

This photo taken at the Hayden Flour Mill includes a rare view of Tempe’s calaboose. The distinctive roof and tall chimney are visible above the tall wood fence in the background near the left center of this photo. 



Train Access

Tracks by the mill

The tracks seen here were built around 1904. This was a siding track constructed for the Mill’s use, and it provided direct access to the rail line of the Phoenix & Eastern Railroad (an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe subsidiary), as well as the tracks of the nearby Maricopa & Phoenix Railroad (a Southern Pacific subsidiary). 

Fire!

1917

The ruins of the original Hayden Flour Mill seen here on July 20, 1917, about a week and a half after fire destroyed it completely. The hard work and diligence of the Tempe Fire Department prevented the fire from destroying other buildings at the north end of Mill Avenue, including the historic Hayden House across the street. 



Hayden Flour Mill

1920

The new Hayden Flour Mill was just two years old when this photo was taken in October 1920. The store and warehouse building built next door advertises the Mill’s flagship flour brand, Arizona Rose. 



Hayden Mills

1920

Hayden Mills and Hayden Home



Electric power

1924

The Hayden Flour Mill is converted to run on electric power (replacing the hydropower system which had been in use since the Mill was originally built in the 1870’s.

The Mill and Hayden House

1930

Grain elevators

1951

A grain elevator with 14 storage silos is built in early March.  The $225,000 reinforced concrete structure required 11 days of continuous concrete pour to complete.  The 150-foot grain elevator and 120-foot-tall silos have a capacity of 306,000 bushels (this equates to over 9,000 tons of grain, with some variation depending on the variety).  The grain elevator and the distinctive silos immediately become a defining feature of both the Hayden Flour Mill and downtown Tempe.   

Hayden Flour Mill

1970’s

Photograph of operations in early 1970’s.

Hayden Flour Mill

1975

Photograph of Hayden Flour Mill on Mill Ave. with Monte’s Steakhouse in the foreground.

Last day of operation

1998

Operations cease at the Hayden Flour Mill when owner Bay State Milling closes the mill. One of the oldest businesses in Arizona, the Hayden Flour Mill had been in operation since 1874.

Fire!

2001

Tempe fire officials suspect arsonists started the blaze that scorched a Tempe historical landmark, the Hayden Flour Mill.

Fire damage

2003

This color print (from digital) of Hayden Flour Mill in 2003 is taken from the southwest and shows lower windows boarded up and chain-link fence in front of it. Fire damage is visible.

Photo Credit: Douglas Chandler

Approved Development and Disposition Agreement

2022

The City of Tempe approved a Development and Disposition Agreement with Venue Projects and Sunbelt Holdings to rejuvenate and improve the Hayden Flour Mill and surrounding property. This agreement reads that the City of Tempe will continue to own the flour mill and its land.

City of Tempe Announcement

Inspection

2023

Venue Projects and Sunbelt Holdings have been selected to develop the Hayden Flour Mill site in collaboration with the City of Tempe. The project is now moving into the initial phases, which include deep dive inspections, assembling the full team, and starting programmatic design. This marks the beginning of a thoughtful approach to revitalizing the historic site.

Full Steam Ahead!

2024

After months of research, data gathering, engineering analysis, and close collaboration with the team, Hayden Flour Mills has proudly received its historic preservation designation. This recognition marks an important milestone in the project, affirming the site’s cultural and historical significance while allowing us to move forward with our vision for its thoughtful redevelopment.

TEMPE HISTORY MUSEUM

ON THE BOARDS & INSPIRATION

Site Plan

Land Acknowledgement:
We wish to acknowledge that Tempe is the homeland of the Native people who have inhabited this landscape since time immemorial. Anthropological studies document large and advanced Ancestral O’odham settlements located throughout the entirety of present-day Tempe and recognize the ancestral lands of the O’odham (known as the Pima), Piipaash (known as the Maricopa), and their ancestors as extending far beyond our community. This land continues to be spiritually connected to the O’odham of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community. The SRP-MIC and GRIC, located northeast and south of Tempe, respectively, are confederations of two unique groups with their own languages, customs, cultures, religions, and histories; the O’odham and the Piipaash. Both the O’odham and the Piipaash are oral history cultures.

The landscape is sacred to the O’odham and Piipaash and reflects cultural values that are central to their way of life and their self-definition. Their oral history and song culture are indelibly tied to tangible places that are associated with specific historic, cultural, and religious values. Settlement patterns, advanced irrigation practices, and other lifeways driven by a deep understanding of and respect for the landscape are directly attributable to the ancestors of the O’odham and Piipaash and served as the template for the establishment of Tempe. We accept the responsibility of stewarding those places and solemnly pledge to consider this commitment in every action.

Site Plan

Land Acknowledgement:
We wish to acknowledge that Tempe is the homeland of the Native people who have inhabited this landscape since time immemorial. Anthropological studies document large and advanced Ancestral O’odham settlements located throughout the entirety of present-day Tempe and recognize the ancestral lands of the O’odham (known as the Pima), Piipaash (known as the Maricopa), and their ancestors as extending far beyond our community. This land continues to be spiritually connected to the O’odham of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community. The SRP-MIC and GRIC, located northeast and south of Tempe, respectively, are confederations of two unique groups with their own languages, customs, cultures, religions, and histories; the O’odham and the Piipaash. Both the O’odham and the Piipaash are oral history cultures.

The landscape is sacred to the O’odham and Piipaash and reflects cultural values that are central to their way of life and their self-definition. Their oral history and song culture are indelibly tied to tangible places that are associated with specific historic, cultural, and religious values. Settlement patterns, advanced irrigation practices, and other lifeways driven by a deep understanding of and respect for the landscape are directly attributable to the ancestors of the O’odham and Piipaash and served as the template for the establishment of Tempe. We accept the responsibility of stewarding those places and solemnly pledge to consider this commitment in every action.

1918 MILL BUILDING

The vision for the 1918 Mill aspires to blend rehabilitation standards with modern concepts, while maintaining its historic character. Proposed ideas include a food and beverage venue with indoor/outdoor transitions, creative office or studio spaces, and a rooftop bar with views of Downtown Tempe and Town Lake Waterfront. An intimate micro-hotel suite at the top of the Mill could offer a bespoke lodging experience, while salvaged equipment may be repurposed as design elements or educational features throughout the building and site.

1918 MILL BUILDING

The vision for the 1918 Mill aspires to blend rehabilitation standards with modern concepts, while maintaining its historic character. Proposed ideas include a food and beverage venue with indoor/outdoor transitions, creative office or studio spaces, and a rooftop bar with views of Downtown Tempe and Town Lake Waterfront. An intimate micro-hotel suite at the top of the Mill could offer a bespoke lodging experience, while salvaged equipment may be repurposed as design elements or educational features throughout the building and site.

1951 GRAIN ELEVATOR

The 1951 Grain Elevator’s adaptive reuse vision endeavors to blend historic character with modern education, entertainment, and fitness experiences. Envisioned as a dynamic vertical attraction, concepts include pathways of ramps, stairs, elevators, and climbing chambers within its sculptural interior, illuminated by natural light by day and vibrant light displays by night. Possible features may offer adventure climbs along silo walls, a steel-and-glass observatory with panoramic views, and an underground speakeasy lounge accessed through hidden passageways. Guided by historic rehabilitation principles, proposed renovations aim to maintain the structure’s industrial essence with thoughtful, minimal intervention.

1951 GRAIN ELEVATOR

The 1951 Grain Elevator’s adaptive reuse vision endeavors to blend historic character with modern education, entertainment, and fitness experiences. Envisioned as a dynamic vertical attraction, concepts include pathways of ramps, stairs, elevators, and climbing chambers within its sculptural interior, illuminated by natural light by day and vibrant light displays by night. Possible features may offer adventure climbs along silo walls, a steel-and-glass observatory with panoramic views, and an underground speakeasy lounge accessed through hidden passageways. Guided by historic rehabilitation principles, proposed renovations aim to maintain the structure’s industrial essence with thoughtful, minimal intervention.

HAYDEN FLOUR RETAIL

We aspire to welcome the Hayden Flour Mills company (currently located in Gilbert, AZ) as an anchor tenant located adjacent to the base of the Grain Elevator. Envisioned as an immersive retail experience, visitors would be surrounded by the sights, sounds, and aromas of fresh milling and artisanal baking. Through interactive exhibits, sensory experiences, and curated local products, the space aims to celebrate the site’s rich heritage and enduring connection to culture, food, and community.

HAYDEN FLOUR RETAIL

We aspire to welcome the Hayden Flour Mills company (currently located in Gilbert, AZ) as an anchor tenant located adjacent to the base of the Grain Elevator. Envisioned as an immersive retail experience, visitors would be surrounded by the sights, sounds, and aromas of fresh milling and artisanal baking. Through interactive exhibits, sensory experiences, and curated local products, the space aims to celebrate the site’s rich heritage and enduring connection to culture, food, and community.

THE BUTTE PAVILION

The trailhead pavilion at the base of Tempe Butte (O’odham name Oidbad Do’ Ag) is envisioned as a striking gateway to history, culture, and the natural landscape. Proposed features include shaded gathering spaces, restrooms, water stations, and an air-conditioned cultural center to educate visitors on the butte’s significance to the Four Southern Tribes and the City of Tempe. Blending distinct desert architecture with the arid landscape, the pavilion aspires to be a welcoming landmark that harmonizes form, function, and cultural reverence.

THE BUTTE PAVILION

The trailhead pavilion at the base of Tempe Butte (O’odham name Oidbad Do’ Ag) is envisioned as a striking gateway to history, culture, and the natural landscape. Proposed features include shaded gathering spaces, restrooms, water stations, and an air-conditioned cultural center to educate visitors on the butte’s significance to the Four Southern Tribes and the City of Tempe. Blending distinct desert architecture with the arid landscape, the pavilion aspires to be a welcoming landmark that harmonizes form, function, and cultural reverence.

COURTYARD EDUCATION BUILDING

The Courtyard Education & Event Building aspires to offer a dynamic exploration of Arizona’s rich history and relationship with water. Proposed features include a cantilevered patio overlooking a water feature, providing a serene gathering space with views of Tempe Town Lake. Through interactive exhibits and historic artifacts, visitors may trace the region’s water journey from ancient Hohokam practices to modern innovations, blending past, present, and future in a thoughtful and engaging experience.

COURTYARD EDUCATION BUILDING

The Courtyard Education & Event Building aspires to offer a dynamic exploration of Arizona’s rich history and relationship with water. Proposed features include a cantilevered patio overlooking a water feature, providing a serene gathering space with views of Tempe Town Lake. Through interactive exhibits and historic artifacts, visitors may trace the region’s water journey from ancient Hohokam practices to modern innovations, blending past, present, and future in a thoughtful and engaging experience.

SUPPORT BUILDINGS

The envisioned perimeter buildings aim to complement the historic Flour Mill and Grain Elevator with understated one- and two-story metal-clad steel structures. With sloped rooflines inspired by industrial forms and nearby mountains, these contemporary spaces propose clean, modern aesthetics that provide a fresh contrast to the site’s heritage. Designed for adaptability and community connection, they could offer inviting gathering spaces for dining, socializing, and family-friendly experiences in a versatile, enduring environment.

SUPPORT BUILDINGS

The envisioned perimeter buildings aim to complement the historic Flour Mill and Grain Elevator with understated one- and two-story metal-clad steel structures. With sloped rooflines inspired by industrial forms and nearby mountains, these contemporary spaces propose clean, modern aesthetics that provide a fresh contrast to the site’s heritage. Designed for adaptability and community connection, they could offer inviting gathering spaces for dining, socializing, and family-friendly experiences in a versatile, enduring environment.

PLACEMAKING: ART INTEGRATION

Integrating art into the site will transform it into a vibrant cultural hub where creativity, community and history converge. The site may feature immersive art environments designed to engage all five senses. Native American dance performances could infuse the space with dynamic rhythms and traditions. Art installations may also incorporate artifacts from the original mill, blending historical objects with contemporary artistic interpretations to create educational yet engaging exhibits.

PLACEMAKING: ART INTEGRATION

Integrating art into the site will transform it into a vibrant cultural hub where creativity, community and history converge. The site may feature immersive art environments designed to engage all five senses. Native American dance performances could infuse the space with dynamic rhythms and traditions. Art installations may also incorporate artifacts from the original mill, blending historical objects with contemporary artistic interpretations to create educational yet engaging exhibits.

PLACEMAKING: IMMERSIVE DIGITAL EXPERIENCES

The Hayden Flour Mill Experience can integrate immersive digital media that excites, engages and educates. Strategically placed installations can bring the Mill’s history to life allowing visitors to interact with evolving and changing representations of the past through to installations that tell the story of today.

PLACEMAKING: IMMERSIVE DIGITAL EXPERIENCES

The Hayden Flour Mill Experience can integrate immersive digital media that excites, engages and educates. Strategically placed installations can bring the Mill’s history to life allowing visitors to interact with evolving and changing representations of the past through to installations that tell the story of today.

PLACEMAKING: CURATED HISTORICAL MOMENTS

Curated historical moments will integrate throughout the site and the buildings of the Hayden Flour Mill Experience campus, offering touchpoints that turn everyday encounters into learning and enagament opportunities. Historic milling equipment, flour sacks and vintage photographs can be curated with digital media that blend history, technology and art. Visitors will be invited through a journey that travels through time from the original Hohokam to today’s families visiting Downtown Tempe and the Hayden Flour Mill Experience.

PLACEMAKING: CURATED HISTORICAL MOMENTS

Curated historical moments will integrate throughout the site and the buildings of the Hayden Flour Mill Experience campus, offering touchpoints that turn everyday encounters into learning and enagament opportunities. Historic milling equipment, flour sacks and vintage photographs can be curated with digital media that blend history, technology and art. Visitors will be invited through a journey that travels through time from the original Hohokam to today’s families visiting Downtown Tempe and the Hayden Flour Mill Experience.

Disclaimer: The site plan information, plans, documents, illustrations, drawings, and referenced photography presented are intended to represent our conceptual vision and are not intended to depict any finalized design elements or commitments. This project is an ongoing and mixed-use development and will continue to evolve in collaboration with the community, stakeholders, and supporters. All elements of the project are subject to change as part of the natural development process and may be revised without notice to reflect updates, improvements, or regulatory requirements.

Q & A

This creative redevelopment, spearheaded by Venue Projects and Sunbelt Holdings, aspires to
transform downtown Tempe’s iconic 5-acre landmark into a dynamic community gathering
destination featuring restaurants, shops, offices, plazas, open park space, along with
recreational, cultural and entertainment activities.

The vision for the Hayden Flour Mill complex is one of thoughtful and artful preservation,
where the historic Mill and Grain Elevator Silo structures are sensitively rehabilitated and
repurposed to come alive again in ways that honor their past, while inviting new uses,
structures and exciting sensory experiences.

The RFP was awarded in early 2022 with the ambitious vision to create a one-of-a-kind, world class destination that would become a community gathering asset for generations to come. With that goal, it became apparent that this unconventional and nuanced project would require incredible patience, flexibility, thoughtful planning, creative financing, partnerships, and strategic execution in phases over several years.

While not visually apparent on the site, much progress has been made to date behind the scenes to advance the redevelopment project.

2021– RFP Initiated by City of Tempe

2022- RFP was awarded. Venue Projects and Sunbelt Holdings embark on extensive public engagement, including meetings with tribal representatives, city leadership, boards, commissions, staff and public / community stakeholders to share the development vision and approach, seek input, and begin conversations with City leadership on the key business deal points of the Development Agreement.

2023- Development Agreement is negotiated, drafted and approved. Ongoing stakeholder outreach, research and project planning continued. 

2024- Property due diligence, including environmental investigations, strategic planning, initial design and construction team selections, conceptual programming and site design, initial project scope valuation, Historic Preservation National Register listing secured.

With a clearer understanding of project concept, size and scope, the plan in 2025 is to initiate site activations to begin testing creative ideas for the project in efforts to maintain public excitement and enthusiasm. Simultaneously, the team will transition concentrated focus toward formalizing partnerships and collaborations and diving deep into the financial aspects of the project, which includes feasibility evaluation and analysis, strategic capitalization planning and capital raising.

It’s our goal to secure initial financing commitments, partnerships and finalize the necessary agreements with the City of Tempe and Historic Preservation in 2025. Once these are in place, we aim to advance our design and construction documents for the initial phases, secure entitlements and initiate activity on the site in preparation to begin construction as soon as possible. 

The overall timeline is expected to take at least five years from the start of construction, and will ultimately depend on several factors beyond our control that include securing available financing and capitalization sources, the potential for environmental remediation and archaeological surveys, partnership and leasing commitments, Historic Preservation design requirements, and any unknowns related to the site and heritage structures. Additionally, outside variables such as shifts in the economy could also impact the schedule. While we are eager to construct and deliver the project to the community, flexibility and patience will be key for all of us to maintain as we navigate these nuanced complexities together.

Redevelopment is complicated, can be unpredictable and highly dependent on many variables, like ownership, physical conditions of each property, market timing and economic conditions. 

The Hayden Flour Mill complex is uniquely challenging in many ways. It is a city owned property with many stakeholders and processes involved. It’s a historically and culturally significant site for Tempe and the Four Southern Tribes (Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin, and Tohono O’odham Nation).  It’s a hillside sloping site with challenging geology and topography. It is a former industrial flour milling site with large heritage concrete structures, which have potential for unknown structural and environmental conditions. Lastly, it’s the final remaining blighted property along the prominent Mill Avenue corridor that is situated at the gateway of Tempe’s downtown, surrounded by the streetcar transit line.

Regardless of the site’s challenges, we believe this time will be different for three key reasons. First, the light touch redevelopment approach we have proposed for the site and heritage structures ensures low intensity and sensitive development interventions, while maintaining the cherished historical character and presence of the property.  Second, new construction perimeter buildings are simple, low scale, easy to construct buidings, envisioned to be beautifully detailed one & two story, understated metal clad steel structures that will compliment and contrast the multistory heritage cast concrete historic structures.  Third is market timing and community alignment. Downtown Tempe and Metro Phoenix are vibrant and thriving. A project of this magnitude not only will be supported by locals, we’re confident it will draw visitors from around the world. The City of Tempe and greater community is enthusiastically motivated, aligned and excited with the Development Team’s vision and aspirations. We intend to resurrect the iconic historic property in a manner that adds value and public benefit to the numerous investments already made in the Downtown and Town Lake corridor. It’s a rare opportunity for all to create another world class destination like the Tempe Town Lake.

There’s no doubt, it is an ambitious endeavor, but with patient political will, community support, an exhilarating and actionable vision combined with our team’s unique experience in executing complex, mixed-use projects and redevelopment of historic properties, we feel confident we can come together to make it happen this time around.


Yes, the Tempe Butte (A-Mountain) trailhead is anticipated to remain accessible during the redevelopment process but may require alternate access routes around the site while the project is under different phases of construction and development.

No, the 5-acre property and historic structures of the Hayden Flour Mill complex will perpetually remain the property of the City of Tempe and will be leased to the redevelopment entity, which consists of Venue Projects (a Phoenix-based firm specializing in creative entrepreneurial redevelopment and reuse projects) and Sunbelt Holdings (a prominent Scottsdale-based developer with extensive experience in complex land leased mixed use projects). 

The long-term plan is for the property to eventually transfer to a non-profit legacy steward that will ultimately lease, control, operate and manage the property for generations to come. This model is similar to local valley attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, which have operated for decades on land owned by the City of Phoenix.


We’re excited to hear your ideas! We encourage you to sign up to stay updated on the project’s progress and opportunities to share your suggestions. As we continue to move forward, we will be hosting public forums and engagement opportunities where your input can help shape the future of the Hayden Flour Mill redevelopment. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we look forward to connecting with you.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT