Fifteen Years of Building in Phoenix—and What Comes Next
This past October marks 15 years of Harder Development.
Fifteen years of transforming spaces, building community, and learning what it truly means to help shape a city. And as we celebrate this milestone, I’m stepping forward in a new way as a candidate for Phoenix City Council, District 4.
Because after fifteen years of learning, listening, and creating, I’m ready to take everything we’ve built together—the experience, the relationships, and the lessons—to City Hall.
Hope you enjoy this round-up of projects, extra special events and lessons along the way!
Five Projects That Shaped the Journey
These projects taught me how development can honor history, elevate neighborhood voices, and build community while sustaining long-term value.
Campbell House
A restored 1908 craftsman bungalow that honored its roots while being modernized for today. We got this listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, and it remains a symbol of our heritage in a growing city.
335 Commons
In a prime location on McDowell road, this adaptive reuse project was launched in the wake of the recession. Not only did we ask the community to help rename the building, we included their input during each phase of development. It’s also currently available for lease!
Carline Center
Vacant for 7+ years, we brought this property back to life with care and imagination. We opened the doors with a pop-up exhibit, Transforming Space, a collaboration with local art galleries, featuring local artists while showcasing the space to potential tenants.
CLIO
Completed during the height of the pandemic, CLIO reflects the grit and creativity that got us through. We did the work of digging through the original ads of businesses in the building and then created our own––which we then wheatpasted for more than 33,000 passersbys to view while the city was in quarantine.
901 S. Central
Located along the historic Central Park and Grant Park Neighborhoods, this project was our introduction to South Phoenix’s rich history and strong sense of community. We’ve remained involved ever since, supporting thoughtful growth and preservation.
Five Moments That Defined Our Work
The following are stand-out events that show the ethos of HD.
ThirstAid Water Drive
In response to rising number of people experiencing homelessness downtown, we turned our preserved bungalow into a collection site and gathered 14,400+ bottles of water for the Human Services Campus during the summer heat while advocating for zoning reforms that would support more people accessing shelter services.
Community-Led Naming Contest
Letting neighbors name 335 Commons wasn’t just a gesture, it became our compass for including community voices, which later became a core part of the Harder Development approach to development.
Transforming Space at Carline
We introduced the Carline Center with an immersive pop-up art show that doubled as a celebration of local talent. To this day, the 360° virtual tour remains one of our favorite intersections of art, space, and story.
Public Art During Lockdown at CLIO
With businesses closed and the streets quiet, we created a public art installation that turned the CLIO facade into a neighborhood time capsule. We made and displayed ads inspired by the real businesses at the height of the McDowell Miracle Mile.
Leadership at PCA
I joined the Phoenix Community Alliance Board in 2018 and now serve as Vice Chair of the Central City Planning & Development Committee. From zoning to adaptive reuse, this work has shaped how I view development as a civic responsibility as much as a business.
Five Lessons I’m Taking to City Hall
I’ve got a bunch of these, but here’s my top 5.
1. Find your voice and use it for good.
I entered the real estate world quietly. Over time, I realized silence serves no one. Speaking up and sharing my opinion on how things are built turned into advocacy, and advocacy turned into action.
2. Representation matters.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve learned to lead without mimicking anyone else. I lead by listening, by showing up, and by standing with people—not above them. One of the biggest compliments I received was on my approachability.
3. Local talent is your advantage.
Working with local tradespeople and artists has been such a difference maker, not just to create unique and beautiful projects, but to really embed a sort of belonging into spaces. Phoenix deserves spaces that feel like Phoenix.
4. Conversations make all the difference.
The best lessons came from conversations, collaborations and finding more ways to work together. I honestly think curiosity has been one of my greatest strengths––I have never been afraid to dig deep into challenges and come up with creative solutions with those who can help.
5. Love what you do, and care for who you do it with.
Projects don’t build themselves. People do. And when you care deeply, you lead differently. I believe that taking care of the people who have supported Harder Development over the years —in so many ways— has built lasting trust and, in turn, created real resiliency in how we work and in the communities we serve.
Looking Ahead
Fifteen years in, I still believe that good buildings, and the people behind them, can help shape a more connected city.
As I step into this next chapter, I carry with me a deep gratitude for the partners, neighbors, artists, and colleagues who’ve made this work meaningful. And I carry a commitment to keep showing up—not just to build, but to listen, collaborate, and serve.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Let’s build a Phoenix that works for everyone.
Ashley Harder
Founder, Harder Development
Candidate for Phoenix City Council, District 4
