Each year, AZRE magazine’s RED Awards commemorates the meticulous work accomplished by the teams of companies who shepherd projects of all kinds from initial concept to final delivery. Each category represents the finest the industry has to offer — state-of-the-art education buildings, chic offices spaces, lavish hotels, modern apartments and so much more. Today, take a deeper look at the retail project of the year finalists.
The 2026 RED Awards will honor finalists and announce winners in 18 categories on Thursday, March 19 at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale. The year’s top developer, general contractor, architecture firm and subcontractor will also be celebrated.
The RED Awards VIP sponsor is Haydon Companies, the spotlight sponsor is Core Construction, the beverage sponsor is DP Electric, the dessert sponsor is Layton Construction, the step and repeat sponsor is Suntec Concrete, the valet sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction, the giveaway sponsor is Willmeng Construction, the 360 photo booth sponsor is Ironmark Building Company and the floral sponsor is Arizona Escrow.
Tickets for the 2026 RED Awards can be found here.
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Here are the finalists for the Retail project category:
GSQ Block A1
- Developer: RED Development
- General contractor: BPR Companies
- Architect: PHNX Design
- Subcontractors: Brown and Sons Electric, Stoll Masonry, RLS Carpentry, Shane’s Grading & Paving, Superior Steel
- City: Goodyear
- Size: 21,334 square feet
This project involves the ground-up development of two grey shell commercial buildings — along with associated hardscape improvements — on a shared site. Building A1-1 consists of a 7,800-square-foot grey shell structure, designed to accommodate a future restaurant or similar tenant use. The scope includes comprehensive site work and a detailed hardscape plan featuring two outdoor patio areas, enhancing the potential for outdoor dining or gathering space.
Building A1-2 is a 13,534-square-foot grey shell structure, specifically constructed for Trader Joe’s — a highly anticipated retailer by local residents. This component of the project also included associated site work and hardscape elements, as well as operational requirements for the tenant. The overall site design focuses on accessibility, pedestrian flow, and integration of outdoor space to support future commercial uses, as the GSQ development continues to grow.
Buckeye Commons
- Developer: Sunbelt Investment Holdings (SIHI)
- General contractor: CHASSE Building Team
- Architect: Butler Design Group
- Subcontractors: PK Associates, Kraemer Consulting Engineers, Hunter Engineering, McGrew Consulting Engineers, Laskin & Associates
- City: Phoenix
- Size: 44,344 square feet
Buckeye Commons rises across its 11.1-acre site as a composition of four new shell masonry buildings, each sculpted in a palette of soft, cool, desert neutrals, deep graphite tones and warm wood-inspired accents. Broad overhangs stretch outward, casting generous shade over the expansive storefront glazing below. The interplay of color, crisp rectilinear volumes, clerestory spandrel glazing and carefully layered materials creates a rhythm of light and shadow that shifts throughout the day, giving the center a sense of movement and refinement uncommon in typical retail developments.
Within this modern mercantile setting, clear, flexible floor plates allow each building to adapt gracefully to both restaurant and retail uses. Landscaped islands, clean pedestrian pathways and framed view corridors tie the site together, while the bold architectural lines lend the development a presence that feels both contemporary and inviting. Buckeye Commons stands not just as a neighborhood center, but as a thoughtful architectural gesture, one that elevates everyday commerce through design, texture and a distinctly modern desert aesthetic.
Porsche North Scottsdale
- General contractor: Willmeng Construction
- Architect: Penny Design Group
- Owner: Penske Automotive
- City: Phoenix
- Size: 68,000 square feet
The Porsche North Scottsdale dealership and service center is a cutting-edge Generation 5 facility for the renowned German automobile manufacturer and is a remarkable testament to architectural innovation and construction excellence. This 68,000-square-foot dealership is poised to redefine the customer experience with its state-of-the-art amenities and commitment to sustainability.
One of the most notable aspects of the project is its emphasis on future-proofing. The Generation 5 design concept prioritizes interior flexibility, allowing for the seamless interchange of interior modules as times change and new ideas and products emerge. This adaptability ensures that the dealership remains at the forefront of the industry, catering to evolving customer needs and technological advancements.
The 68,000-square-foot dealership boasts a 35,000-square-foot maintenance area equipped to handle the demands of modern vehicles, including heavier electric models. With 45 vehicle lifts, including nine heavy-duty EV lifts, the facility is well-prepared for the growing electric vehicle market. The inclusion of 20 electric vehicle chargers further underscores the project’s commitment to sustainable transportation. Additionally, two alignment racks, fluid storage areas, and individual fluid dispensing units at each workstation ensure efficient and environmentally responsible maintenance practices.
Vistancia Point Retail
- Developer: Barclay Group
- General contractor: Campbell Development
- Architect: Butler Design Group
- Subcontractors: Sustainability Engineering Group, Laskin & Associates, PK Associates, Kraemer Consulting Engineers, McGrew Consulting Engineers
- City: Peoria
- Size: 158,522 square feet
Vistancia Point is a 160,000-square-foot grocery and retail development situated on 25 acres in Peoria. The project features a 125,000-square-foot Fry’s grocery store, three retail shop buildings, three PAD buildings and a gas station/convenience store, all organized to create a cohesive commercial destination within the growing Vistancia community.
The design draws inspiration from the modern desert vernacular, incorporating natural materials and warm, regionally inspired colors. Multiple integrally colored bands of ground-face concrete block form the primary structure of the shop buildings, complemented by soft desert tones applied to the EIFS façades. Rusted metal panel accents emphasize key corners with flying steel cornices, while GeoLam wood-look louvered canopies introduce texture and animated shadow patterns across the façades and walkways. A shaded amenity space at the intersection of the adjacent shop buildings offers a comfortable spot for gathering, perfect for sipping coffee while watching hawks glide above the mountain backdrop to the north.
Mercy Center
- Developer: Diversified Partners
- General contractor: Sigma Contracting
- Architect: Upward Architects
- City: Gilbert
- Size: 11,479,160 square feet
Featuring a highly sustainable, consumer-centric design, Mercy Center delivers a premier community destination directly addressing Gilbert’s rising demand for high-quality businesses focused on health, wellness and lifestyle that elevate community members’ quality of life. A well-planned solution for locals’ needs, the vibrant mixed-use development includes a Homewood Suites by Hilton to provide an essential and comfortable hospitality choice for families of patients at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, located just steps away across the street.
Mercy Center further includes a one-of-a-kind, two-story flagship Starbucks with a unique firepit feature and patio space, providing a welcoming gathering place for hospital staff, visitors and community members. The largest solar-powered Starbucks in the U.S., its rooftop solar array supplies 80% to 100% of the store’s energy needs, with excess power fed back into the grid to support nearby homes. Designed for efficiency, the store also includes a 23-car drive-thru, designated mobile order parking and an elevator for easy access.
The development showcases a sleek, modern design, integrating light gray exterior tile that seamlessly complements dark gray metal cladding to achieve a unified color identity. The development’s sophisticated contemporary design further aligns with neighboring modern structures, enhancing the community’s upscale aesthetic. Locals have embraced Mercy Center as a vibrant gathering place since its opening, with nearly 57,000 vehicles passing through the area each day.
