Diversified Partners, a leading Scottsdale-based real estate brokerage and development firm, officially broke ground on The Lakefront at Scottsdale, marking the next phase of the approximately 100,000-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment that will transform the landmark waterfront property into a destination for dining, curated retail, Class A office space and gathering.
The groundbreaking celebration brought together more than 213 attendees, project partners, tenants and members of Scottsdale’s civic and business community. Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky delivered remarks during the ceremony before joining Diversified Partners and project leaders for the official groundbreaking.
“Having grown up within two miles of this iconic McCormick Ranch location, I know firsthand how much this site means to the neighborhood and the City of Scottsdale,” said Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky. “My family and I have lived within walking distance for nearly 25 years, so this site holds an incredibly special place in my heart. I’ve witnessed firsthand the level of care, quality and attention to detail Walt Brown and his team bring to the table, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what they have in store for our neighborhood. I am certain creativity, luxury and a welcoming experience will be front and center while honoring our beloved McCormick Ranch lake area.”
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City of Scottsdale representatives in attendance included Mayor Lisa Borowsky; Terrance Thornton, chief of staff for the Mayor’s Office; Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen; Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas; Councilman Barry Graham; Desirae Phrasavath, economic development specialist; and Cheryl Sumners, events manager.
Representatives from the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce included Mark Stanton, president and CEO; Stephanie Miller, executive director of programs and events; Grace Ostaff, programs and events coordinator; Hannah Howard, member services director; Tina Miller and Linda Ruisinger, directors of business development; and Tom Keal, finance manager.
As part of the milestone, Diversified Partners announced three concepts joining The Lakefront: SUSHISAMBA, V Modern Italian and La La Land, bringing a mix of globally recognized dining, modern Italian cuisine and a distinctive café concept to the development.
“The Lakefront is one of the most exciting projects we’ve worked on, and the caliber of concepts joining us speaks to what we believe this property can become,” said Walt Brown Jr., CEO of Diversified Partners. “We have an incredible waterfront setting in the heart of Scottsdale, and our goal is to create a destination where people want to dine, gather, work and spend time. We’re excited to officially mark this milestone and see that vision coming to life.”
New dining concepts coming to The Lakefront
SUSHISAMBA has signed a letter of intent for approximately 12,000 square feet at The Lakefront, bringing its celebration of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine to Scottsdale. The brand is known for exceptional dining, inventive cocktails, iconic design and vibrant experiences.
“Scottsdale is one of the most compelling hospitality markets in the country, and we have long admired what this community has built. Its energy, creativity and appreciation for great food and design feel very aligned with the SUSHISAMBA brand. We’re excited about the opportunity to become part of Scottsdale’s dynamic culinary scene,” said Omar Gutierrez, co-CEO of SUSHISAMBA Group.
V Modern Italian will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet and is anticipated to open in 2027. Following openings in Nashville and Charleston and upcoming locations in Tampa and Kansas City, Scottsdale marks the brand’s newest expansion.
“Scottsdale is an incredible community, and The Lakefront is a perfect setting to introduce V Modern Italian,” said Ned Lyerly, CEO and managing partner at V Modern Italian. “We’re excited to create a place that brings people together through exceptional food, energy and hospitality — and to become part of Scottsdale’s vibrant dining scene.”
Built around its “Feed Your Senses” philosophy, V combines modern Italian cuisine, contemporary design, music and hospitality. Developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Stefano Ciotti, the Scottsdale menu will feature house-made pastas, antipasti, premium meat selections and seasonal ingredients, complemented by handcrafted cocktails, Italian aperitifs and European wines.
La La Land will open in a freestanding corner location. The specialty coffee and matcha café concept is known for its bright, all-white design accented with signature pops of yellow. Its cafés are meant to be a shared space where everyone belongs.
A new chapter for a landmark Scottsdale property
Originally developed in 1978, The Lakefront is located just east of Scottsdale Road off McCormick Parkway and offers waterfront views of the lake and Camelback Mountain.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot property will be redeveloped in phases with signature restaurants and outdoor dining, boutique and experiential retail, Class A office space and public gathering areas centered around walkability and waterfront activation.
The development will also incorporate Forever Lane, a dedicated valet arrival experience, and a small marina with Duffy boat rentals to further activate the waterfront.
A.R. Mays Construction is serving as The Lakefront’s selected general contractor and design-assist partner, in addition to serving as a sponsor of the groundbreaking celebration.
A.R. Mays has been engaged in preconstruction for several months as the team works to transform the existing single-tenant office building into a multi-tenant, mixed-use property. Demolition is scheduled to begin in early October, with a significantly larger scope of construction beginning in early 2027 once drawings and permitting are complete.
Commonwealth Land Title Phoenix NCS also supported the milestone as a sponsor of The Lakefront groundbreaking celebration.
