At certain times of the day, the Esplanade — the mixed-used development near 24th Street and Camelback Road — can feel eerily desolate. The complex has been known to turn into a ghost town after business hours, and its sprawling, boxy design, anchored by soaring office towers, lends a gloomy air of impenetrability.

From the street, it’s difficult to make out the shops, restaurants, and AMC movie theater tucked deep into the folds of the property. First-time visitors have been known to drive around the block looking for a place to park, or some semblance of a main entrance (a parking garage with access to the movie theatre and restaurants is located on Esplanade Drive, behind the complex).