Surprise shopping center gains inspiration from Bellagio

A new shopping center in Surprise will host a water feature that uses the same technology as the dancing water show at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Olympic Park fountain in Beijing.

The fountain at Bell Mar, a mixed-use development going up on Bell Road and Avenue of the Arts, will feature a 40-foot-long, 50-foot-high fountain programmed to give a 10-minute light, water and music show every hour.

Aquatic Fountains of Phoenix is building the fountain, which is set to begin soon and be completed by the first week of October.

Oase, a German company, created the technology.

The custom-made fountain will cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

Gary Arnold, president of Esterra Development, said he wanted to create a focal point for the development.

"As a neighborhood center, we don't have amenities like a power center," Arnold said. "So we wanted to make a destination piece for our customers and retailers, something out of the ordinary that will attract tenants and customers."

The fountain will feature a multi-level, zero-edge pool design and the 20 jet streams of water that surround the pool.

"What is most unusual is the new technology to stream a one-quarter-inch stream of water and have a laser light go through it that will display hundreds of thousands of colors," Arnold said. "The laser goes though the water and looks like a light saber from ‘Star Wars.'"

In addition to the light show, the fountain will feature a 50-foot-tall mast and sail that will be above it. The mast is already in place.

Arnold said light shows will vary and will include appropriate holiday themes.

Upon completion, Bel Mar will feature 72,500 square feet of mixed-use retail, restaurant and professional office space.