Explore 'Vanishing Phoenix' and preservation efforts | Arizona Horizon

Robert Melikian, whose family owns and operates the historic Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix, is the author of "Vanishing Phoenix." Melikian talks about historic preservation and shares photos and stories from his book of buildings and landmarks that have disappeared.
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[@anthonynelson9136]

Its a shame so many historical buildings have been lost. I remember a totally different downtown area from years ago. I want to thank MR Melikian for all the effort he puts in to try and save what is left.

[@N0WisH3R3AZ]

I really enjoyed this . I am born and raised in az and i recently took a bike ride down town and was amazed at the buildings that are still there .

[@ArizonaPBS]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@bradfordeaton6558]

I grew up in Phoenix in the 60s - 70s and I loved it. I left in the mid 70s because the out of control development broke my heart.

[@Marleyana1]

So sad to see all these buildings disappear.

[@Lizerator]

Thanks for your efforts Robert. Loved your book.

[@888junkcarsbuyingteam8]

I'd love to hear about the downtown Phoenix underworld....the bowling alley and everything is still there....and the mall under the tunnel, so many things people don't know about

[@sinfuledge6851]

What is the Mall Under The Tunnel?

[@888junkcarsbuyingteam8]

@@sinfuledge6851 no no, actually downtown Phoenix. Fox 10 did a story about it many years ago.

[@MetroCollectablesandvlogs]

Such a shame.... Phx metro area was really beautiful.

[@brieziethirteen13]

Its sad to hear that the older beautiful buildings are gone. Downtown used to be awesome

[@danieldaniels7571]

Although it didn’t have the history of the structures in this video, I really miss Patriot’s Square park and amphitheater

[@IAmMrQ]

So messed up. This city truly sold its soul by destroying so many historic buildings and sites, rather than preserving and cherishing them. Nobody in Phoenix even knows that Jack Swilling founded the city. The oldest home is on 1st St. and Sherman, just south of downtown.. called the Duppa House. Pueblo Grande museum is a local gem for Native American history in Phoenix too. I can go on... but there still some gems in town.

[@christiantaylor9266]

1WithTheFlow i agree, i still think its incredible that they built a metropolis in an isolated desert

[@MrGarcez66]

I lived in Phoenix during the 50's downtown was great at that time

[@Pongo.1o1]

What was it like?

[@myearsloveit]

'60's n '70's too

[@TMcConnaughhay]

The ASU campus with all those glass building by Tempe Towne Lane looks so ugly! It doesn't reflect the desert at all!

[@jeffreykalb8810]

How about building some attractive buildings like they used to? Why do we have to accept ugly architecture? That's the bigger problem.

[@timward3116]

And we have the technology and materials now to build more attractive buildings that recall the great buildings of yesteryear. However, the rich would rather just throw something together. Corporate greed has killed architecture.

[@roxannesanchez275]

How Sad we have very lil history left of what Phoenix was so many years passed

[@robinwier]

At 4:26, that would be 5th St or 6th St (not Ave), if it was replaced by the PUHS Administration Building (4:30).

[@screenname1]

On the oldest Spanish maps of North America, which of the mysterious cities shown correspond with the modern ones built over them?

[@bendummitt888]

The Lucky Nugget, in Apache Jct. is gone too.....

[@Thirdgen83]

Sad...

[@jessemoody7313]

Very sad.

[@alejandragarcia9830]

How said

[@MissterX]

13:00 boy was he wrong there, it has changed a lot.

[@leechjim8023]

There was the Mercado, but it failed and ASU took it over.

[@laurenv7934]

Everything is so bleh now

[@bigqconcious7735]

If you know, these building are much more from vanished Tartarian civilization. I never trusted modern history.

[@1989TS..]

Sad. . .