On April 29, Creation, a Phoenix-based real estate development and alternative investment firm, and LGE Design Build, a premier Southwest design-build firm, announced the start of construction on Nexus Commerce Center, a 273,000-square-foot Class-A industrial park located at Elliot Road and Hardy Drive in Tempe.
Situated on a prime 16-acre lot, Nexus Commerce Center is transforming the site formerly home to Elliot Corporate Center—once anchored by the University of Phoenix—into much-needed shallow-bay industrial space in Tempe. Designed and built by LGE, the single-phase redevelopment will feature three Class-A buildings featuring clear heights of 32 feet, which will accommodate a variety of tenants, including light manufacturing, assembly, research and development, logistics and fulfillment.
“Nexus Commerce Center presents an exciting opportunity to deliver modern, high-efficiency industrial space in one of the most strategically located submarkets in the Phoenix Metro,” said Grant Kingdon, principal at Creation. “With increasing demand for high-quality infill locations, this project not only provides an exceptional logistics hub—minutes from major freeways and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport—but also demonstrates our focus on repurposing underutilized office sites to meet the evolving needs of today’s industrial tenants. It further strengthens Tempe’s position as a key destination for high-tech manufacturing, logistics and R&D employers, who continue to be attracted to the highly educated workforce that lives in Tempe.”
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With direct access to the I-10 and Loop 101 via Elliot Road and proximity to the US-60 interchange, Nexus Commerce Center offers unparalleled connectivity to the greater Phoenix area. The three-building configuration includes buildings ranging from 88,773 to 103,288 square feet, catering to a diverse range of industrial tenants with requirements starting at 20,000 square feet. Mike Haenel, Andy Markham and Phil Haenel of Cushman & Wakefield are leading the leasing efforts for Nexus Commerce Center and are currently fielding pre-lease inquiries.
“From the start, our goal has been to design a space that reflects Creation’s vision—one that meets the needs of modern industrial users while also integrating seamlessly into the surrounding community,” said Michael Stafford, president of LGE Design Build. “We’ve focused on creating a facility that is both highly functional and visually striking, with a sleek, contemporary design and clean lines that reflect today’s industrial aesthetic.”
To mark the occasion, the developer held a groundbreaking ceremony with city officials and development partners, including CrossHarbor Capital Partners and Amherst. As a further commitment to the community, Creation made a $10,000 donation to Junior Achievement of Arizona, which provides programs to teach kids responsible money management, encourage innovative thinking and prepare them to enter the workforce.
Creation is reshaping the industrial landscape across the Phoenix Metro, spearheading transformative projects like Thunderbird Commerce Park in Scottsdale and Park Algodon in Phoenix. Expanding its footprint even further, Creation recently broke ground on Source Business Center—a 144,885-square-foot Class-A industrial facility at the southeast corner of Warner Road and Hardy Drive in Tempe. With each development, Creation continues to set new standards in building innovation and excellence in design, shaping the future of industrial real estate.
