Protecting the past + educating the present + innovating the future
Preserve Phoenix is the only Historic Preservation Advocacy organization for the 5th largest city in America. As a 501 (c)3 organization, our mission is to preserve and protect the city's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and districts through participating in conversations within city and preservation-related groups, writing letters and position statements, educating policymakers and regularly sharing the importance of preserving the historic remnants of our great city.
06/01/2026
Big day for SB118 - sharing the latest from Save Historic AZ:
SB1118 Heads to the House Floor Monday! SB1118 Heads to the House Floor Monday! After months of advocacy, countless emails, phone calls, postcards, meetings, and testimony from supporters across Arizona, SB1118 is officially on the Arizo…
05/29/2026
Thank you for all your support and comments related to the Louis Emerson House in downtown Phoenix.
We are at 422 signatures so far and would love to get to 500 by next week!
Please consider lending your self to save this historic building and ifs history:
Sign the Petition Save historic Louis Emerson house from demolition!
05/25/2026
Please consider signing this petition in support of preserving the Historic Louis Emerson House in Phoenix: https://c.org/yvzyCxrVd5
05/25/2026
For those of you looking for opportunities to save the Historic Emerson House, please consider signing this petition:
Sign the Petition Save historic Louis Emerson house from demolition!
Preserve Phoenix Board Members Mike Hardesty & Roger Brevoort spent some time at the Emerson House yesterday with the owner, Robert Young - Mike created this content to share his thoughts on preservation in downtown Phoenix:
I didn't know much about the history of the Emerson House before I met Robert Young, but in the last month, and in the few hours I've spent talking with him, l've almost felt embarrassed for not knowing more. Mr. Young's passion for Phoenix history is simply astonishing, and it's been an absolute pleasure getting to learn more about the story of the Churchill Addition and the Evans Churchill Historic District.
This whole story hasn't sat right with me. It's hard not to feel uneasy and angry watching an 88-year-old man who has owned the historic Louis Emerson House since 1975 face this kind of pressure. Especially considering the home is officially listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.
And honestly, what message does this send?
If historic designation and decades of stewardship can still leave homeowners vulnerable when larger personal interests come calling, people are naturally going to wonder why protections really exist in the first place.
Maybe you agree with me. Maybe you think I'm being dramatic.
But I do think these conversations matter, because once pieces of Phoenix history are gone, they're gone for good.
If you feel strongly about it either way, make your voice heard.
Reach out respectfully to ASU, the City of Phoenix, or your elected officials and let them know where you stand, because progress doesn't always have to arrive behind a bulldozer.
05/22/2026
Louis Emerson House FAQ Updates!
Why can’t the house be moved to a safer location versus demolition?
The house has already been moved once and moving again may further risk the integrity of the home. We would prefer entities consider historic properties within their development plan in collaboration with local preservation partners. By incorporating the home into the design, that character adds value to the community and can encourage more sense of place. We feel that the option of moving a structure should only be used as a last-resort.
Did ASU offer to move the house at some point?
Are they no longer willing to help with a move to an alternate location? Yes, ASU did offer to move the house at one point however, as we discussed, our position would be to maintain the home at the current location.
What can be done to save the house? At this time, the best options to save the house would be to reach out to ASU, to your city councilperson and/or the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office to show your support. Also, make sure to stay up to date on any call to action from Preserve Phoenix by subscribing to our email listserv at preservephx.com.
What is the feedback/stance from the mayor, councilperson, city manager? To our knowledge, there has not been any formal communication from any of our government entities.
Is the owner just waiting for a bigger payout? We will let the owner speak on that topic, however, to our knowledge, he is very invested in preserving the home as one of the remaining pieces of the Evans Churchill neighborhood as well as receiving appropriate compensation for the property.
Can an explanation be provided on how ASU is able to claim eminent domain? The school is technically for public use and therefore is able to claim eminent domain.
Stay tuned for updates! ✅
05/17/2026
The Louis Emerson House has stood in downtown Phoenix since 1902 — older than Arizona statehood itself. Located at 623 N. 4th Street, this rare surviving Queen Anne/Eastlake-style home is one of the last reminders of early residential Phoenix and has been recognized on the Phoenix Historic Property Register since 1990. (statepress.com)
Built for Louis Emerson, a local butcher known for advertising “meat fit for a king,” the house survived decades of demolition, redevelopment, and even relocation during construction of Arizona Center. Now, it again faces uncertainty amid expansion plans tied to the new ASU Health district and the growing threat of eminent domain. (AZ Attorney) Current owner, Robert Young has owned the property since 1975 and is doing all he can ro save this property from the bulldozer.
Historic places like the Louis Emerson House are more than old buildings. They tell the story of Phoenix before freeways, before towers, before entire neighborhoods disappeared under the pressure of “progress.” Once these places are gone, they are gone forever.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved with the efforts to save this historic property.
05/15/2026
Our next non-designated featured site is the Phoenix Financial Center, located at 3443 North Central Avenue. Completed in 1968 and designed by architect, Wenceslao Sarmiento.
The tower has been referred to as the “Punchcard” building as it has a similar appearance to a computer punchcard.
The most recent news for the future of these iconic buildings is a redevelopment plan by New York based development firm, Left Lane to turn the site into a mixed use “urban resort.”
References: https://www.abc15.com/news/business/new-details-emerge-on-redevelopment-of-phoenixs-punchcard-building
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Financial_Center
05/15/2026
Sharing! Make sure to enter the lottery for a chance to tour this Phoenix icon.
Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights Regular Tour Ticket Lottery for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tours in September through December 2026 opens June 1 through June 15. https://form.jotform.com/260904281601147
You are just entering the lottery, you have not yet won. You will receive an email about 2 weeks after June 15 if you have won the chance to purchase tickets.
Remember, if you don't win, you can always check for last minute tickets that become available through cancellations at tovreacastletours.com
Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights