Historic Tempe Building Relocated for New Development Project

In a remarkable feat of engineering and preservation, a historic building once known for housing a popular restaurant has been relocated to a new site within Tempe, Arizona.

The Harry Walker House, constructed in 1903 and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, originally belonged to Harry Walker, a groundskeeper at Tempe Normal School, which is now Arizona State University. Over the years, the property has witnessed numerous ownership changes but gained fame as the House of Tricks restaurant, which served the Tempe community for over three decades before closing in 2022 following the owners’ retirement.

Zachary Lechner, the Historic Preservation Officer for Tempe, shared insights from a recent examination of the house by a historic architect. “He said that it possessed remarkable architectural integrity,” Lechner noted. “The house is really in very good condition. It’s had limited changes over the years, particularly to the exterior. It still has its original front door. It has most of its original windows.” The major alteration involved removing a brick wall between two bedrooms to create an office space.

Doug Tichenor, senior director of development at Core Spaces—the company that acquired the Walker House’s original site—highlighted the complex logistics involved in the relocation. Tichenor described the task as a “monumental feat,” detailing efforts such as temporarily moving street lights, dismantling traffic signals, and trimming or removing trees. “I’ve been developing buildings throughout the country for almost 15 years and I’ve only seen another structure moved one time in my entire career,” Tichenor stated.

Originally located on Seventh Street near Forest Avenue, the house has now been placed near City Hall on Fifth Street. The previous site is slated for a 30-story mixed-use development, which will include over 800 apartments and retail space, poised to be one of Tempe’s tallest structures.

Lechner further explained the city’s plan: “The developer agreed to convey ownership of the house to the city of Tempe so the city can utilize it for the public’s benefit,” he said. “I think that that’s a really great solution to what could’ve been the potential loss of another architectural resource in Tempe.” Before any new ventures, the city aims to secure the building, establish utilities, and restore its aesthetic appeal, with potential future uses as a retail or restaurant space.