The Phoenix Art Museum, located at 1625 N. Central Avenue, is set to debut a brand-new restaurant concept called Alden.
Last year, What Now Phoenix reported that local hospitality group Conceptually Social was preparing to launch a new restaurant within the Phoenix Art Museum. At the time, the yet-to-be-named concept was slated for a Fall 2024 debut. Now, new details have emerged about the highly anticipated space, including its official name, concept, and a more precise timeline for its opening.
Alden is currently under construction and will occupy a 3,862-square-foot space adjacent to the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden. Once open, Alden will serve as a refined yet approachable culinary destination, offering new American cuisine inspired by the diverse community of the Valley. Guests can expect a menu of nourishing, seasonal fare available for lunch, dinner, and grab-and-go service five days a week. While an official opening date has yet to be announced, a recently filed liquor license application suggests that construction is expected to wrap by July 1, 2025, with a likely debut to follow shortly thereafter, pending inspections and final approvals.
Alden @ PhxArt is named in honor of Alden B. Dow, F.A.I.A., the acclaimed architect behind the original Phoenix Art Museum building, which first opened to the public in 1959. A former apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright and an expert in organic architecture, Dow left an indelible mark across the country, designing more than 600 projects throughout his career. His legacy is preserved at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio in Midland, Michigan, which is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
The restaurant’s interiors are being developed through a collaborative design effort between Shepley Bulfinch, MRT Design, and DL Norton General Contracting. At the helm of the food and beverage program is operating partner Monica X Castillo, who will oversee the concept’s day-to-day culinary execution. Alden joins Conceptually Social’s growing roster of innovative food concepts, which includes the soon-to-reopen Kaizen in Tempe and the Temporary Cafe pop-up currently operating within the Museum.
