5 Reasons to Live Near Mill Avenue
July 2, 2026
Like Urban Architecture? Try Tempe Lofts and Condos
July 2, 2026Where to Find Live/Work Condos for Sale in Tempe
If running your business out of a back bedroom has run its course, Tempe has a better option. Live/work lofts and condos in the downtown area give small business owners the best of both worlds — a professional space to meet clients and a home to return to, all under one roof. Accountants, architects, designers, artists, and anyone who needs a client-facing storefront or a serious dedicated workspace should take a look at what Tempe has to offer.
It’s worth noting that live/work floor plans are typically a small fraction of each community’s total units. But for the right buyer, they’re genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the Valley at this price point.
Unique Architecture and Storefront Visibility at The Vale
The Vale on University Drive is one of the most architecturally striking buildings in Tempe — designed by renowned architect Will Bruder with bold colors, metal facades, and an ever-changing exterior as the desert light shifts throughout the day. A small number of ground-floor units offer live/work arrangements with retail or office space and a separate exterior entry. If storefront visibility matters to your business, The Vale delivers — units face directly onto University Drive. When listings are available here, they don’t last long.
Expansive Space for Serious Office Use at Lofts at Orchidhouse
Located in the Brickyard on Mill development on 6th Street just east of Mill Avenue, Lofts at Orchidhouse is one of only a handful of true loft buildings in Tempe. The building’s 83 residences occupy the top five floors of a seven-story building, with commercial tenants on the first two floors. Units range from 778 to 3,200 square feet, with ceiling heights from 11 to 16 feet — plenty of room to think big. The live/work zoning here allows you to operate your business from your home, and the proximity to the light rail and ASU adds genuine daily convenience. Unlike the other communities on this list, Orchidhouse live/work units don’t have a separate client entry, so it’s better suited for work that doesn’t require a steady stream of walk-in visitors.
Live/Work by the Water at 525 Town Lake
525 Town Lake is one of Tempe’s most desirable communities, with 67 loft-style townhomes steps from the lake and a short walk to Mill Avenue. Seven of those units are live/work lofts along 1st Street, ranging from 1,265 to 1,735 square feet. The layout is purpose-built for the live/work lifestyle: a garage, dedicated office space, and a client-entry bathroom occupy the ground floor, with a great room and kitchen on the second floor and the primary suite on the third. The community is gated, with a pool, spa, and private cabanas — a nice counterpoint to a long workday.
Another Lakefront Option at Regatta Pointe
Regatta Pointe sits near the south shore of Tempe Town Lake, close to Tempe Beach Park, the Tempe Center for the Arts, Mill Avenue, and the light rail. The live/work units here face 1st Street on the south side of the complex, with a ground-floor office and separate client entrance. Residents access the living portion through the garage, keeping home and work cleanly separated. When you’re done for the day, a fitness center, clubhouse, and pool are waiting.
Live/work spaces in Tempe are in high demand and don’t come up for sale often. Contact us when you’re ready to find the right fit, or browse current availability at Tempe Live/Work Spaces for Sale.
