Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is going the way of the Cubs, White Sox and many of their fans, and setting up an outpost in Arizona. According to restaurant officials, it’ll be the first to open out of state for the 44-year-old iconic Chicago-area chain.

In its 45th year in business, Lou Malnati’s is finally taking its first step out of Illinois. Following the Chicago Cubs and the region’s snowbirds, the 42-restaurant Northbrook-based pizza purveyor signed a lease in central Phoenix last week and plans to open a sprawling, 250-seat restaurant in the spring.

When legendary developer Del Webb built Uptown Plaza in 1955, he created a “downtown shopping experience” in the central city. With restaurants such as the swanky Navarre’s and retailers such Jerand’s of Arizona fashions and Piggly Wiggly grocery store, the center, which had a modern look, was a draw for diners and shoppers alike.

People are quickly realizing the importance of saving what once was considered old, and how preserving those layers of history is cool. David Scholl and Walter Crutchfield of Vintage Partners have been involved in historic development for a few years. Each project is bigger and better than the last and, admittedly, they learn something new each and every time.

There are lots of conversations these days about how to preserve, enhance and contribute to an authentic sense of place in our urban core. And while not all projects are as successful as some would like, increasingly we’re seeing innovative, adaptive reuse renovations along the Central corridor.

Phoenix’s Uptown Plaza is bringing back the past. The Uptown Plaza, anchored by AJ’s Fine Foods at Central and Camelback, is about to get a makeover — or — make-under.

Underneath layers of stucco from the 70’s, developers found 60-year-old brick from Phoenix’s earlier days.

Fox Restaurant Concepts spokeswoman Anita Walker, said the company is working on opening a Flower Child location in the center. Fox introduced Flower Child, a healthy fast casual restaurant in April 2014 with a location on 44th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix.

Uptown Plaza, one of the oldest shopping centers in Phoenix, is getting a face-lift and several new tenants, potentially including restaurants by Sam Fox and Upward Projects.

Designed by Nelsen Partners (Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter), the renovation plans are still being finalized as Vintage Partners and builder Kitchell Contractors determine how much of the original red brick façade (including many interior walls) can be preserved.