For Heather Lennon, founder and owner of Imagine General Contracting and Development, preservation has always been about more than bricks and mortar. Over the years, she has built a reputation for saving pieces of Phoenix history, restoring aging structures and giving them renewed purpose.
Now, her vision is expanding beyond individual buildings to embrace an entire neighborhood with the launch of Imagine Coronado, a transformative project located in Phoenix’s historic Coronado district within the McDowell Miracle Mile Revitalization zone.
Imagine Coronado centers on a 50,000-square-foot parcel composed of eleven buildings, seven of which are historic homes dating back nearly a century, each between 99 and 108 years old. Long vacant and overlooked, these structures are being restored and reimagined as a wellness enclave and community hub designed to serve downtown Phoenix.
Lennon describes the goal as elevating the area “from blight to belonging,” creating a place that honors its past while supporting a more connected, resilient future.
“The project aims to be evolved with Coronado, engaging neighbors for input and engagement. It will become a neighborhood wellness hub that blends boutique-style overnight accommodations with ongoing access for the community to enjoy activities and amenities,” Lennon said. Her vision extends beyond hospitality, weaving in local entrepreneurship and everyday community use.
“Our ‘shop the experience,’ ethos invites guests to discover and purchase offerings throughout the property, all created by Phoenix-based entrepreneurs, makers and practitioners. Guests will be able to explore a wide range of locally made goods and services from art and homewares to wellness offerings and specialty products, showcasing the depth and diversity of the city’s small-business and creative community.”
The scope of restoration is extensive. After sitting empty for many years, the homes are undergoing full remediation and rehabilitation, including complete replacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. While the work is complex, Lennon estimates a two-year timeline for completion, a necessary investment to ensure the buildings remain viable for decades to come.
Even in its pre-construction phase, Imagine Coronado has found meaningful ways to serve the city. The cleaned-up property is currently being used by local first responders for training purposes, including fire departments and the Police Department’s SWAT, Drone, and Canine units. It is a temporary use that underscores the project’s broader commitment to community service and civic partnership.
History remains a central thread throughout the development. Lennon and her team are conducting extensive forensic historical research to uncover and preserve the stories of the homes and the people who once lived in them. One particularly notable discovery is a former one-room schoolhouse basement, which will be transformed into a future humidor for Raconteuse Cigars, a brand Lennon also owns and operates. The adaptive reuse of such spaces allows the past to remain visible while supporting new experiences.
The overall concept is inspired by chakras, with each of the seven historic houses representing a different chakra, arranged from north to south across the property. This unifying theme will guide the design of interiors, amenities, services, and retail offerings, with each home named after its corresponding stone. The result is intended to feel cohesive, thoughtful, and deeply connected to wellness, both physical and emotional.
Sustainability also plays a defining role. Imagine Coronado champions adaptive reuse and circular design, repurposing materials wherever possible. Old metal containers find new life as fire pits, while architectural salvage is transformed into shade structures and design features throughout the property. These creative choices not only reduce waste but also reinforce the project’s ethos of honoring what already exists.
Looking ahead, Lennon is actively seeking industry partners to help bring the vision fully to life. She is focused on collaborating with wellness practitioners, ancillary service providers, retail brands, and community-minded corporations, all sourced locally and aligned with Phoenix’s small-business ecosystem. The enclave will remain under single ownership, with experienced operators brought in to program and manage the space, ensuring a consistent and intentional guest and community experience.
Imagine Coronado represents a shift in how historic preservation can function in a modern city. By blending restoration, wellness, local commerce, and community engagement, the project offers a model for how neighborhoods can thrive without losing their soul. For Phoenix, it is not just a redevelopment, but a reimagining of what it means to build forward while looking back. For more, visit imaginedevelops.com.
