Victory for the Louis-Emerson House: ASU Withdraws Eminent Domain Lawsuit
Preserve Phoenix this thrilled to welcome Arizona State University’s announcement that it intends to withdraw the eminent domain lawsuit seeking to acquire the 124-year-old Louis Emerson House. The decision marks a major victory for historic preservation and the thousands of community members who advocated for a solution that allows both preservation and progress.
On July 17, 2026, Arizona State University announced that it would withdraw the eminent domain lawsuit filed in June by the Arizona Board of Regents on the University’s behalf. While this announcement represents a significant milestone, the legal proceedings have not yet been formally concluded, and dismissal of the case remains subject to approval by the court.
This achievement was made possible through the extraordinary dedication of homeowner Robert Young, preservation organizations, neighborhood advocates, legal counsel, and thousands of members of the public who spoke out in defense of one of downtown Phoenix’s most significant historic homes. The overwhelming community response demonstrated that historic preservation remains a deeply held value throughout Phoenix, Arizona.
The home currently stays in the hands of Robert Young, who has owned the house since 1975. Preserve Phoenix is now working with Mr. Young and preservation partners to help secure the property’s long-term future while honoring both the legacy of Louis Emerson and Robert Young’s stewardship of the home since 1975. On of these steps includes a pending National Register of Historic Places nomination submitted on July 1, 2026.
Although ASU has announced its intention to withdraw the lawsuit, the court proceedings have not yet been formally concluded. Until the case is officially dismissed, Preserve Phoenix encourages supporters to continue signing the petition, contacting decision-makers, and sharing their support for permanently protecting the Louis Emerson House.
This outcome demonstrates that preservation and progress are not mutually exclusive. Throughout this process, Preserve Phoenix consistently maintained that ASU’s medical education project could proceed without acquiring this historic property. The university’s decision to withdraw the lawsuit demonstrates that a path forward exists that respects both educational investment and Phoenix’s irreplaceable historic resources.
Preserve Phoenix also remains confident that Arizona law strongly protects private property rights and that the Louis Emerson House should never have been subject to eminent domain for a project capable of moving forward without acquiring this historic property.
Context of ASU’s Involvement with the Louis Emerson House
The Louis Emerson House sits adjacent to the site of ASU Health, a new five-story, 170,000-square-foot medical education and research headquarters currently under construction within the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC). The approximately $200 million project is scheduled to open in 2028 and is intended to serve as a centerpiece of ASU’s expanding health-related programs. While ASU maintained that acquisition of the property would benefit the project, court documents indicate that the site would not be used for classrooms, laboratories, or other essential educational functions. Instead, the property would primarily expand outdoor open space associated with the new building.
In June 2026, ABOR filed an eminent domain lawsuit on ASU’s behalf seeking to take control of the property owned by Robert Young, who has owned the house since 1975 and opposes the acquisition. Project plans included in the court filings show three scenarios: one in which the house remains untouched, one in which the lot is incorporated into the project while preserving the house, and one in which the house is demolished to create additional outdoor space. According to the university’s own planning documents, open space would increase from approximately 3 percent of the project area to 6 percent if the Emerson House property were acquired.
Throughout the proceedings, Mr. Young and preservation advocates maintained that the medical school project could proceed without acquiring or demolishing the historic home because no essential educational or research functions depended on the property. Preserve Phoenix has consistently believed that responsible development and historic preservation are complementary goals that can be achieved through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and respect for private property rights.
Preserve Phoenix hopes this outcome serves as a model for resolving future development challenges through creative problem solving and collaboration rather than condemnation, demonstrating that Arizona can continue to grow while preserving the unique character that strengthens our communities.