In the heart of downtown Phoenix, a striking new landmark is rising: 601 N. Central Avenue, a 29-story luxury apartment complex that showcases the very best in urban living and modern construction, with a variety of steel elements that both support and define the building’s design. Behind its bold architecture lies a complex steel backbone—one that MMI Industrial & Steel was entrusted to deliver in partnership with Layton Construction, the project’s general contractor.
From March 2023 to August 2025, this ambitious build has been brought to life, demanding precision, adaptability, and craftsmanship every step of the way. Now, as the project nears completion, 601 N. Central stands as a powerful example of MMI’s ability to execute complex steel erection, even on one of the most challenging job sites in Phoenix.
The Scope of Work
MMI’s role in the 601 N. Central project extended far beyond basic steel fabrication. Our team was responsible for a broad portfolio of structural and architectural steel elements, from major load-bearing systems to signature design features.
Key deliverables included:
- Six full stair towers and 239 total flights of stairs
- Ten elevator car bays with supporting steel and structural divider beams
- Exterior shell steel and facade supports
- Safety and architectural features such as fences, guardrails, gates, and planter boxes
- Specialty installations for recreational and public spaces, including basketball court backstops, string light poles, mister structures, and outdoor kitchen framing
- A signature monumental stair in the main lobby—a showpiece element for residents and guests
The numbers tell the story of the immense scale of effort required for this job:
- 7,700 embeds
- 23,745 weld studs
- 3,330 CMU support angle clips
- 9,832 anchors
- 15,966 feet of flat bar and plate used in railing and fence assemblies
- 4,087 feet of pipe railing
- 110 steel deliveries to the jobsite
- 11,000 shop hours and 17,000 field hours completed
- 5,663 drawing files used
All together, MMI coordinated 26 major scopes of work, making this project one of the most comprehensive multifamily residential projects in our company’s history.
Navigating Design-Build Challenges
As a design-build project with a clear and unique vision, 601 N. Central required extensive collaboration between the architect, engineer, and general contractor. This naturally brought a spirit of innovation to the project, but it also created an evolving target for MMI’s detailing and engineering teams.
Drawings and approval packages frequently underwent revisions—sometimes reaching “Revision K” before final signoff. Each change rippled downstream, affecting things like fabrication, scheduling, and field sequencing.
MMI responded to these frequent changes by implementing:
- Rigorous document tracking systems to manage thousands of evolving PDFs
- Close communication between engineers, field supervisors, and Layton Construction
- Flexible sequencing to minimize rework and prioritize critical path items
With this disciplined approach, MMI’s teams were able to keep the project on track and aligned with key milestones.
Building in Tight Spaces
Perhaps the greatest challenge of this project was not the steel itself, but the confined urban job site. Our crews and subcontractors worked in tight, congested areas, requiring precision and constant attention to safety.
Our crews faced obstacles like:
- Hoisting and rigging stair tower steel into enclosed shafts with limited clearance
- Installing full-height elevator divider beams and columns, amid ongoing work from other trades
- Executing exterior steel erection at elevation using tower cranes and suspended work platforms
MMI used innovative solutions to help overcome these challenges, including the Spyder Crane, which enabled precision lifts in confined spaces. This approach not only made the jobsite safer, but it also maintained efficiency in a difficult environment.
Excellence in Partnership
MMI’s partnership with Layton Construction was central to this project’s success. The general contractor praised MMI’s performance on the project, stating:
“Regardless of the scope, whether it be the metal stairs, miscellaneous embeds, miscellaneous metals, or exterior railing, MMI consistently performed and achieved excellent quality all while performing work safely and efficiently. On a project of this magnitude, schedules and priority activities can often change. Both MMI management and field supervision did a phenomenal job adapting and executing.”
This recognition highlights what truly sets MMI apart: our teams’ ability to not only excel in a technical capacity, but to be reliable partners in a high-pressure environment.
A Landmark Project for Phoenix—and for MMI
601 N. Central Avenue is more than just another apartment tower on the Phoenix skyline. It is a signature, residential high-rise that symbolizes the city’s rapid growth and urban evolution. For MMI, it’s also a landmark achievement, demonstrating our ability to deliver innovation, quality, and safety at scale.
From the monumental lobby stair that greets the building’s residents, to the hidden structural steel that makes the entire tower possible, MMI’s craftsmanship is woven into every detail of this project. Each embed, weld stud, and railing reflects the hard work and dedication of our people.
As this project reaches completion, we take pride not only in the steel we set, but in the confidence and trust we’ve built with Layton Construction and the broader Phoenix community. We are honored to have played a key role in shaping this city’s future and raising it to new heights.
At MMI Industrial & Steel, we don’t just build steel—we build lasting impact.
MMI thrives on tackling complex projects like 601 N. Central, combining precision, safety, and innovation to deliver exceptional results. If you’re planning a project that demands expertise in structural or architectural steel, our team is ready to help you turn your vision into reality. Contact us today to start the conversation.
