Cathedral City: Rising Ever Higher

The anticipation is almost palpable in Cathedral City, as many of the projects initiated in recent years are taking shape. What were once mere glimmers of ideas are now meeting hammer and nail, mortar and brick. Cathedral City is watching its plans rise with the same awe typically reserved for balloon launches during its annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. It’s an exciting period of growth!

Arts and Entertainment

The hum of activity at the corner of Avenida Lalo Guerrero and Cathedral Canyon Drive is hard to miss. The City’s new $4.5 million-dollar amphitheater is rising out of the ground, and it promises to be a showstopper. Built on 2.5 acres adjacent to the parking garage, the development will feature an outdoor stage, restrooms, a concession stand, a children’s play area, and walking paths. With seating capacity for 2,900-plus people, the amphitheater park will serve as an ideal venue for many of the city’s events and festivals. Meanwhile, live theatre fans are lining up to see the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre’s (CVRep) stunning renovation of the former Desert Cinemas movie house. If record ticket sales thus far are any indication, CVRep’s new home with its smart lobby and state-of-the-art performing stage is a verified hit.

Anticipation continues to build as the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians prepare to break ground on a new gaming and entertainment development. Slated for 13 acres at the corner of Date Palm and East Palm Canyon Drives, its centerpiece will be a 65,000-square-foot casino complemented by restaurants, bars, and retail and mixed-use space. This thrilling new development will have a huge impact on the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District’s fast-rising scene.

Cathedral City is watching 
its plans rise with the same awe typically reserved for balloon launches.

Home Sweet Home

Home building continues its upward trend in Cathedral City. Hot on the heels of The District at the Edge’s sold-out success comes another community from the same developer. Situated just adjacent, the new District East will feature 45 one- and two-story single family homes designed with an urban twist. Directly behind District East, Horizon Gardens Senior Living has begun building a new 140-unit development that will offer a continuum of care for those advancing in years. Meanwhile, D.R. Horton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, is hard at work on Verano, a master-planned community near the corner of Landau and Verano Road that will feature 329 homes. In addition, the Cathedral City 25 development by GHA Companies offers new infill homes situated on generous lots within established neighborhoods to maximize livability and enjoyment.

Infiniti and Beyond

Cathedral City Auto Center continues to cement itself as the place for all things automotive. Last year, Infiniti joined the line-up of auto brands on offer in a space it shares with the Volvo dealership. This year, eyes are focused on Shottenkirk Desert Lexus Sales and Service Center as it rises out of the ground. In other good news, College of the Desert has pinpointed land next to the auto center where they will build their much-anticipated automotive technology training facility. Proximity to the auto center is prized since so many of the automotive program’s students find jobs there upon graduation. The training center will be something akin to a workforce incubator and create greater synergy between auto dealers and the college.

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