[CoVer story] Growing| Roots WRITTEN BY NICOLE WEST
he Gilbert, Ariz., Heritage District is the site where Gilbert was established in
the early 1900s. Today, the dis- trict is a bustling, pedestrian- friendly area filled with offices, restaurants and boutiques. In 2010, Phoenix-based Upward Projects, a firm that opens
unique restaurants that are deeply rooted in their communities, scouted Gilbert for the location of its third Postino wine café. “When choosing a location and a con-
cept, the community that surrounds the property is the cornerstone to that deci- sion,” explains Lauren Bailey, who is a partner in Upward Projects with her hus- band, Wyatt, and Craig and Kris DeMarco. “We consider our guests, neighbors and
›› Retrofit Team
OWNER: Michael Bennan, Oakmark Properties LLC, Scottsdale, Ariz., (480) 951-9988