The Argenta Plaza will be one of the many
new developments headed to downtown and
will also be the biggest. The new construction
of the Plaza will transform what has previously
just been a block of asphalt into a snazzy, urban
gathering space. The plaza will feature jets of
water from the surface that can switch off to
accommodate seating for parties or gatherings
for concerts. A wall of water will serve as a
visual and sound backdrop. A 35-foot-by-
35-foot screen above a stage will allow the
style covered area on the west side of the plaza
facing Main hung with porch swings and other
seating. The plaza will integrate the water
features with lighting designed by the Renfro
Design Group of New York, which worked
on the American Museum of Natural History’s
Richard Gilder Center. Argenta was able to get
Joe Smith said, because CEO Richard Renfro is
an Arkansas native.
First Orion announced that it will be
making its home in Argenta for its corporate
headquarters. The headquarters are moving
to Argenta because they have outgrown their
space and knew about the new developments
coming to downtown North Little Rock, more
apart of that. They will be bringing in between
200 and 300 high paying technology jobs to
downtown North Little Rock.
us to be. We are helping transform the region
into a prominent technology hub and we are
honored to be such a big part of the
Argenta Plaza. Not only is First Orion
building technology, but we are also
said in a news release.
in North Little Rock and First Orion
embodies our technological drive and
ingenuity,” Joe Smith, mayor of North
believe the Argenta Plaza will be a
community where big, brave ideas are
given the change to grow unfettered. First
Orion is a shining example of our state’s
best and brightest creating technologies
that make the world a better place.”
the Thrive Argenta apartment complex
at Magnolia and Fourth streets. The complex
will eventually include six buildings offering
up and two-bedroom apartments renting for
feature 165 units. Two 54-unit buildings will
center and the other a stage. Thrive Argenta will
be dedicated to sustainability, which works well
with the vibe in Argenta. There are also town
homes and Argenta Flats apartments near by.
Argenta’s residents will have close at hand the
Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub maker space
across the street and, just blocks away, The Joint
comedy club; the Argenta Community Theater;
art galleries Greg Thompson Fine Art, Thea
Foundation and in the Laman Library Argenta
branch; craft breweries Diamond Bear, Flyway
the Riverfront Steakhouse; and more casual
eateries and bars Crush, Cregeen’s, Four Quarter,
Skinny J’s and Reno’s Argenta Cafe, in addition
to the aforementioned Mugs and KamiKaito by
Kiyens. It’s also near the Arkansas River Trail,
the biking and hiking path that makes a loop
connecting Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Following First Orion came the 600 Main
Building. That project will house Taggart
Automobile Dealers Association on the second
level and The North Little Rock Convention
The last piece of the plaza puzzle is the threestory
Power + Ice Building, the brainchild of
developer John Chandler. Power + Ice will
anchor the north side of the plaza and will have
Ice Food Hall, a creation of Brian and Eric
Isaac, proprietors of longtime Argenta Italian
restaurant, Capeo. The food hall will serve as
a launch pad for six other concepts offering a
wide range of cuisines. These upscale eateries
will showcase an array of sights, smells, sounds
and tastes from open kitchens that put the art
of cooking on display.
The food hall is not the only new culinary
experience on the horizon, either. Recognizing
the impact the plaza and
new private investment
will have on Argenta, Jess
McMullin of nearby Flyway
Brewing plans a new gastro
pub, Brood & Barrell, at 411
Main St. Targeting a summer
2019 opening, Brood &
Barrel will focus on specialty
lagers brewed at the Flyway
location, available exclusively
at the pub.
Once completed, Argenta
Plaza is expected to be a
thriving public space, hosting
multiple events throughout
the year, and lending plenty
of activity to this bustling,
walkable neighborhood.
Argenta
Plaza
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