In 2019, the Valley will see visions become reality, as several notable projects are completed. Game-changing buildings will begin filling up at Block 23, The Watermark and The Grand Building 2, transforming the skylines around the Valley. Here is a look at the companies behind many of these developments. From planners to land brokers, to the architects, designers, builders and advisors; these companies are driving commercial real estate forward in 2019.
Aspirant Development
Scottsdale-based Aspirant Development enters 2019 as bullish as ever on the transformation of downtown Phoenix. Its iconic downtown high-rise apartment located at the corner of Central Ave and McKinley – The Stewart – began leasing in late December of 2018. Look for another Aspirant residential high-rise to break ground at 3rd Ave and Fillmore in early 2019, with additional downtown projects in the pipeline.
Balfour Beatty
Balfour Beatty has been entrusted to construct state-of-the-art developments for some of the most noteworthy resorts, healthcare facilities, and public venues in the Grand Canyon State that include the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, the Phoenix International Raceway, the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, and coming soon, the luxurious Copperwynd Resort and Club expansion.
Burch & Cracchiolo
Burch & Cracchiolo played an integral role in several high profile deals in the Valley in 2018 such as Marina Heights in Tempe and Nationwide’s Cavasson in Scottsdale. 2019 has ushered in a new practice area for the firm in Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Seasoned IP attorney Sue Chetlin recently joined the firm which notably adds to the broad menu of legal services the firm can offer clients.
Butler Design Group
2018 was another remarkable year for BDG. We became an employee-owned ESOP, were named NAIOP’s ‘Firm of the Year’ for the 13th time and designed and/or have started construction of over eight million square feet of projects. Some featured projects include Creighton University Health Sciences, SkySong 5, Freedom Financial headquarters, Nationwide’s Rivulon and Cavasson projects, McKesson headquarters, PV 303, and Lincoln Logistics 40.
Clifton Larson Allen
CLA offers a traditional accounting, tax reporting and compliance perspective, as well as industry-specific real estate services as well as assistance in raising capital. In 2019 we are looking forward to assisting business owners, investors, fund managers and real estate developers who are taking advantage of Opportunity Zone tax benefits and other strategies influenced by Tax Reform.
Colliers International Arizona
With 65 brokerage professionals who worked on $2 billion worth of commercial real estate transactions in 2018, Colliers International hopes to continue positively influencing our clients in their quest to make good business decisions. The Arizona economy is poised to continue its strong performance into 2019 and beyond, and we are committed to helping businesses take full advantage of the opportunities created.
CBRE
In 2017, CBRE settled in to its new Workplace360 office at the Esplanade in Phoenix. Powered by technology, the paperless and free-address space embraces flexibility, mobility and productivity. Looking ahead in this ever-evolving digital economy, CBRE will continue to invest in technologies that strengthen our ability to achieve superior outcomes for every client we serve.
Cushman & Wakefield
In 2019, Cushman & Wakefield will continue to strive to always exceed our client’s expectations. As a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value by putting ideas into action, we will continue to provide our clients with an integrated real estate services platform that creates creative solutions to prepare them for what’s next.
DLR Group
In 2019, DLR Group | WRL’s integrated design team of architects, engineers, interior designers and planners will continue to see growth in their multi-sector practice including fast-tracked data center projects similar to the recently opened EdgeCore Internet Real Estate data center in Mesa. Further growth will be seen in the Workplace and Civic studios, including the adaptive reuse project for Maricopa County Attorney’s office complex, revitalizing the Phoenix urban core.
Gensler
Gensler Phoenix transitioned its leadership this year, marking a new era for the growing 60-person office, now led by Co-Managing Directors, Dawn Hart and Martha dePlazaola Abbott. 2018 was a balanced year of architecture and interiors work, including the completion of notable projects such as the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, CBRE Phoenix Workplace 360, and the transformation of the Arizona Center.
Haydon Building Corp
In 2018 Haydon Building Corp continued to leverage its unique company structure as a full-service Commercial Building, Heavy Civil, and Landscaping contractor to expand our presence in our core markets and to provide exceptional service and value to our clients. In 2019, we look forward to expanding those capabilities to provide a turnkey solution to our private sector clients.
hardison/downey
hardison/downey is coming off its biggest volume year in company history in 2018, and is set to have another record breaker in 2019. We are breaking into new markets with our recently established civil division. Market rate apartment and student housing construction will remain a big contributor to our business in the coming year. 2019 marks a year of transition for our firm, with Justin Newman taking over as President on January 1st.
Hensel Phelps
Hensel Phelps is still growing; adding 83 new staff members in 2018 alone. The Maricopa County Intake, Transfer and Release and Southwest Airlines Hangar at Sky Harbor Airport projects saw great progress in 2018 and will be complete in 2019. Work on PSHIA Sky Train Stage 2 at Sky Harbor will continue and Valley Metro’s first design-build project, the Operations and Maintenance Center Expansion will break ground in 2019.
JLL
Building on a history of rapid and successful growth in the Valley, JLL continues to evolve its Phoenix presence. Over the past two years, the firm has added key new brokerage service lines as well as value-add services to further assist clients in creating rewarding opportunities. Among these service lines are: valuation and property tax, capital markets financing, lease administration and financial analysis.
Kapture Prefab
Kapture Prefab offers streamlined production of major components for large-scale commercial building projects, and helps address our chronic shortage of skilled labor. Talented architects and engineers develop expedited processes to build components – including exterior panels, interior walls, headwalls, bathroom pods, framing with electrical and plumbing systems – on horizontal surfaces within a contained, safe environment.
Land Advisors Organization
Land Advisors is poised for an outstanding 2019. Our current brokerage pipeline is historically strong, our growth across the country continues (the company opened Charlotte in 2018 and expect to open another 1-2 offices in 2019), it added a Development Finance business line (Launch DFG), and the company is seeing significantly increased production from Land Advisors Capital. Its production is balanced across its entire network of offices.
Layton Construction
2018 was a banner year for Layton Construction at both the local and national level. Building on significant increases in the hospitality, industrial, office, tenant improvement and public sector markets, Layton’s Arizona revenues increased by 50 percent from 2017 to 2018. With a strong backlog of work and exciting opportunities on the horizon, 2019 looks even better.
Lincoln Property Company
In the last 12 months alone, Lincoln Property Company has delivered the 40’ clear height Lincoln Logistics 40 industrial project, breaking ground on the Class A Grand Building Two at The Grand at Papago Park Center, and announcing Union, the 1.35 million-square-foot Class A office development in Mesa’s Riverview District. Concurrently, it has grown its local property management portfolio to almost 10 million square feet.
Mark-Taylor
Mark-Taylor’s focus for 2019 is providing our team members the resources to become the most admired brand in the industry. We’ll continue to focus on recruiting and retaining the most competent, professional, and highly rewarded employees in the industry. We’ll emphasize training to ensure that our teams are the most financially sophisticated within the industry and have been acutely trained in attention to daily operating details.
McCarthy Building Companies
McCarthy Building Companies’ Southwest Region anticipates big growth in 2019. Already in the planning stages, our construction teams are breaking ground on major airport, entertainment, lab, stadium, hospital, water and school projects this year. And, having the firm’s solar and water groups based out of Arizona, we are bringing our expertise in clean energy and clean water to communities from coast to coast.
Plaza Companies
Plaza Companies’ momentum will continue at SkySong with the opening of SkySong 5 and the Elements Hotel. In early 2019, the initial phase of the revitalization of Park Central will be complete and groundbreaking for Creighton University Medical School and a 2,000-space parking deck will happen. On the medical office front, Estrella Medical Plaza II will open and the Banner Ironwood and Dignity East Mesa will be underway.
Pono Construction
Pono Construction looks forward to another successful year in aiding Grand Canyon University fulfill their growing needs. Last year wrapped up with two dorms at approximately 241,000 square feet apiece, as well as a new 797,000 SF parking garage. In 2019, we will construct three new dorm buildings, and another new parking garage at approximately 633,000 SF. We anticipate another busy season with what is penciled out for 2019.
RED Development
RED has 35 properties totaling 19 million square feet in 11 states. One of the most high-profile developments underway in the Valley is RED’s Block 23 in Downtown Phoenix that is on-track for completion later this year and will be home to the area’s first grocery store by Fry’s. In Q1 of 2019, RED will also complete The Union Dallas, an 800,000 square-foot, mixed-use development.
RSP Architects
2018 brought many exciting moments for RSP, including being honored as AZRE Magazine’s Architect of the Year. In the upcoming year the firm is enthusiastic for the opening of NAU’s Recital Hall, Hines’ Offices at Chandler Viridian to begin welcoming tenants and Westin Tempe to start going vertical. The firm is expanding both geographically (Baltimore and Miami) and into market sectors such as Mission Critical.
Ryan Companies US
In 2019, Ryan will continue to successfully leverage our collective insights of construction, architecture + engineering, development, capital markets and real estate management services. Given our current pipeline, we expect our volume in all service lines to grow in 2019. We will continue to pursue office and industrial build-to-suits, while we find steep growth in senior living, multi-family and industrial projects.
Saint Holdings
With success in 2018 of attracting the large anchors of Lucid Motors and Nikola Motor Company to its Inland Port Arizona and Central Arizona Commerce Park and huge job creation of 10’s of thousands expected, Saint Holdings will be looking for partners and gearing up their 2,800-lot ‘Lake’ community in the heart of The City of Coolidge. The Lake community is planned and has a very strong development agreement in place.
Shepley Bulfinch
Shepley Bulfinch has produced forward-thinking buildings and spaces that inspire living, learning, and healing working extensively across the disciplines of healthcare, education, libraries, civic, and mixed use. Current work includes The LINK PHX, a 257-unit residential tower under construction in Downtown Phoenix, as well as the soon to be complete 487 bed Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
SmithGroup
2019 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for SmithGroup (formerly SmithGroupJJR). The impact of SmithGroup’s design leadership was recognized by Fast Company, which honored the firm as one of their Design Companies of the Year. This momentum will continue into 2019 and beyond as the firm continues to work with forward-looking clients to create exceptional design solutions that allow them to solve their most complex design challenges.
Sundt Construction
In 2018, Sundt Construction built environments where its clients, employee-owners and communities continue to prosper. The firm finished numerous projects including the award-winning University of Arizona Biomedical Science Partnership Building, Ocotillo Water Reclamation Facility and Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant. In 2019, the company will complete building projects such as Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino & Resort expansion and remodel.
UEB Builders
UEB Builders is delivering two high-rise apartment projects in downtown Phoenix (The Stewart and the LINK PHX) and breaking ground on another high-rise and two market-rate apartment projects and a high-end hotel in the same area in 2019. Also in the pipeline are three student housing projects, from Flagstaff to Tucson, three self-storage projects, the Cambria Hotel and Helios Education Foundation building in Phoenix.
VEREIT
VEREIT is a full-service real estate operating company which owns and manages one of the largest portfolios of single-tenant commercial properties in the U.S. VEREIT has a total asset book value of $14.1 billion including approximately 4,000 properties and 93.9 million square feet. VEREIT’s outlook for 2019 is positive as low unemployment and a healthy GDP continue to provide a positive economic backdrop.
VIVO Development Partners
VIVO Development Partners and its affiliates have been involved with the development of over 10 million square feet of retail, office, multi-family and self-storage projects. VIVO’s focus heading into 2019 is Gallery Park, a +1 million square foot mixed-use development of regional importance located in the southeast Valley.
Wentworth Properties
Wentworth completed the development of Northern Trust Building 2 at Discovery Business Center, completed the redevelopment of nearly a half million square feet in two Tempe office buildings, and purchased and sold Chase Tower, Arizona’s tallest office building. In 2019 Wentworth will continue to look for additional development and management opportunities in Arizona and its expanding footprint of properties throughout the U.S.
Wespac Construction
Wespac Construction has some great projects coming up in 2019. To name just a few: Donor Network Corporate Headquarters, student housing & student union for Ottawa University and the Boyer Spec Building at Tempe Rio2100. In 2018, Wespac wrapped up work on notable projects such as the Discovery Business Center Building 2 for Northern Trust, Freedom Financial Phase 1 and The Peak Apartments.
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Whiting-Turner heads into 2019 with four high-profile projects expected to be completed in the upcoming year. The first to come online will be the Offices at Chandler Viridian, a 250,000 square foot, Class A office building. Block 23, a high-rise, mixed-use development in downtown Phoenix that will bring the area its first Fry’s grocery store is also expected to be completed, as is The Grand Building 2, in Tempe.
Willmeng
A 2018 Best Places to Work winner, Willmeng completed over 130 projects throughout the Southwest. Notable projects include Wentworth West 80, Banner Health Corporate Office expansion, Trammell Crow West 202 Logistics Center, and the 600,000 SF Northrop Grumman at Allred Park Place where they have more than 1 million SF under construction.
