According to multiple reports, Avnet has purchased the former GoDaddy offices located at Price and Warner in South Tempe.

Avnet will take over the 150,000 square foot office building begining in mid- 2026 according to an AZ Big Media article.

With plans to move their corporate headquarters to the ASU Research Park, Avnet joins other major players coming to the South Tempe sub-market.

Is Avnet Moving To South Tempe Good For Their Employees?

This new building sure sounds like a great fit for any employee to call their new home.

The building offers a wide range of onsite and nearby amenities. Notable outdoor features include pickleball courts, a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, and soccer field. Interior amenities include a full-service kitchen, conference and training rooms, and numerous huddle rooms, as well as a full gym, locker rooms and shower facilities, yoga room, and game center.  – Per AZ Big Media

Here are a few photos of the new headquarters and some of the outdoor amenities mentioned above.

The building was formerly a corporate hub for GoDaddy. If you have ever visited, you might recall a large indoor slide, as well. I remember when they opened, the amenities were well received by their employees.

Earlier this year a major CHIPS and Science Act announcement was made. This announcement shared the news of a major national semiconductor R&D facility coming the the ASU Research Park. This development is expected to bring hundreds of jobs and billions of dollars in investment to the area.

Local Options Available For Avnet Employees:

We don’t have any information yet about how many employees will call the new offices home. What we do know is that many local businesses will welcome them with open arms. We believe that Avnet moving to South Tempe will be a win-win for local businesses and Avnet employees.

For people new to the area, we’re happy to share some of our favorite spots for breakfast, lunch, happy hour or dinner!

The closest restaurants will be at McClintock and Warner. Fortunately, some awesome choices can be found at this intersection just a mile from Avnet. Some favorites there include: Maskadores Taco Shop, Freely Taproom, Feta Cowboy, Bar Capri, RigaTony’s and several others.

Other area favorites are close by, as well. Postino, Ghost Ranch, Word of Mouth Grill, Vincitorio’s, Crepe Bar, and The Peppermill are some more of my favorites.

Many Housing Choices Available For Avnet Employees:

Being located just off of the 101 freeway makes these new digs easy to get to and from many parts of town. This Price and Warner location is part of the South Tempe community but also close to Mesa and West Chandler.

For any employees who might be looking to move close to work, many options are available nearby. While the luxury market in South Tempe is very strong, many other great neighborhoods exist in the area.

Since the new Avnet location is located in the popular 85284 zip code, we’ll share some info about a few prominent neighborhoods close by.

Corona Del Sol Estates: Such a cool neighborhood just about a mile away
Circle G Ranches: Beautiful custom homes with many multi-million dollar properties.
Estate La Colina: A really nice community near McClintock and Warner.
Alta Mirada: Area townhomes that always seen to be in demand.
Warner Estates: Very impressive custom homes on large lots!
Buena Vista Ranchos: Giddy up, y’all! A very special community with horse privileges. Don’t miss it!

That’s just a small sample of some of the neighborhoods located nearby.

More samples of homes for sale in the 85284 zip code are as follows:

85284 Homes Near Avnet

32 Listings

$399,900 82 W CALLE DE ARCOS
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Success Property Brokers

$739,900 9623 S MAPLE Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: eXp Realty

$560,000 9143 S GRANDVIEW Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

$2,325,000 9310 S BALA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Keller Williams Realty Phoenix

$1,066,000 8415 S Kachina Dr Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: West USA Realty

$549,800 8859 S GRANDVIEW Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Venture REI, LLC

$2,449,800 2173 E LA VIEVE Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Venture REI, LLC

$1,095,000 758 E SUNBURST Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Keller Williams Integrity First

$549,900 1053 W MYRNA Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: West USA Realty

$895,000 8421 S KENWOOD Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Home Base Realty

$979,900 790 E SUNBURST Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty

$820,000 563 E KRISTA Way
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: West USA Realty

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If you would like more information about this area, please feel free to contact local real estate expert, Nick Bastian. Nick can be reached at 602-803-6425.

The Arizona State University (ASU) Research Park in Tempe will be the site of a new national semiconductor research and development facility, marking a significant advancement for both the local area and the broader region.

With this announcement, Arizona State University’s Research Park is about to become a major hub for semiconductor innovation.

This project, backed by the CHIPS and Science Act, will establish a leading-edge prototyping and advanced packaging research and development center.

This means it will be a place where new ways of building and connecting semiconductor chips will be developed and tested.

This exciting development is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the area and attract billions of dollars in investment, significantly boosting the economy of South Tempe and the entire region. The new development will be located near the ASU MacroTechnology Works building that is already operational at the ASU Research Park.

ASU is now at the forefront of semiconductor technology, solidifying the state’s growing reputation in this huge industry!

Location and Purpose:

ASU Research Park: The facility will be located in Tempe, Arizona, adjacent to ASU’s MacroTechnology Works building.

• Purpose: It will serve as a flagship for semiconductor advanced packaging, focusing on research, development, and prototyping. This is part of the CHIPS for America initiative, aimed at strengthening the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and advancing cutting-edge technology. Economic Impact: Job Creation: The facility is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs, directly supporting local employment and economic growth. Investment: It will bring billions of dollars in investment, significantly boosting the economic landscape of South Tempe and Arizona.

Key Features:

• Research and Prototyping: It will be the first facility in the world to combine 300mm front-end semiconductor manufacturing with advanced packaging research, bridging the gap between lab research and full-scale production.

• Operational Timeline: The facility is anticipated to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2028.

Partnerships and Support:

• ASU’s Role: ASU will be a key partner in the construction, launch, and operations of the facility, promising new investments in faculty and educational technologies for semiconductor training.

• Government and Industry Backing: Supported by the CHIPS and Science Act, with endorsements from figures like ASU President Michael Crow, who highlighted this as one of the largest investments in national labs since the Manhattan Project.

Broader Implications:

This development positions Arizona as a global hub for semiconductor innovation, fostering a robust ecosystem that includes both research and commercial applications. It’s a testament to Arizona’s growing prominence in the tech sector, particularly in microelectronics, and will further enhance the state’s reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation.

ASU Research Park – A Few More Facts:

Here is some info we have as of January of 2025:

• The Research Park was established in 1984 (property was previously an ASU experimental farm since 1956)
• 320 gross acres
• 236 net acres excluding rights of way, lakes and common areas
  • 5.46 acres remaining for development
• 26 completed buildings, consisting of 2.3M square feet
• 52 companies with approximately 6,000 employees
• Notable tenants include:
  • Iridium
  • Viasat
  • Applied Materials
  • Deca Technologies
  • ASU Macrotechnology Works
• The Research Park was selected in January 2025 to be the home of one of three flagship research and development facilities operated by the National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology
  • $1.1 Billion investment, primarily from CHIPS act
  • Natcast facility will locate here
  • Once complete, it will be the most advanced center for microelectronics Research and Design in the United States.

• ASU Research Park Economic Impact (per 2022 EDPC study):
  • • • Total revenues-to-date for the ASU Research Park are estimated $1.1 billion. This includes $37.9 million in construction related taxes and $1.1 billion in operating revenues.
      • Cumulatively, over the next 30 years, the ASU Research Park project is expected to generate an estimated $1.9 billion for the State, County and City of Tempe. ($123.5 million to Tempe)
      • Gross revenues from operations provide funding to ASU of over $6 million/year

   

ASU Reaearch Park – Another Spark For Area Growth

The ASU Research Park is located just west of the 101 Freeway between Elliot and Warner Roads. The dynamic part of town known as South Tempe has been seeing very strong demand for luxury homes for a long time now. Many of us believe there is still a lot of upside for luxury homes in the area.

People looking for non-cookie cutter homes that are not “right on top of each other” can find that here. The area has kind of been a “hidden gem” when it comes to custom homes.

Will South Tempe Incomes Continue To Climb?

South Tempe’s 85284 zip code was recently named one of the top 5 wealthiest zip codes in the valley. (2024) It makes sence that we see higher home prices in South Tempe as this number has grown. This location, location, location is being noticed and people seem to like what they see. We can’t blame them!

With many major employers and a location that is basically surrounded by freeways, it seems like the area has a lot of upside. New construction on infill lots has been brisk. Residential teardowns and major remodeling projects are happening all the time. Smart money over flashy money seems to be a way of life here, too.

With major job growth in semi conductors, insurance, banking and more, South Tempe is looking good to many people. Of course, most people around here love their small businesses, too!

The amount of “non chain” restaurants to try are plenty, and growing. Good schools, good restaurants, tons of parks, etc. all help make the area desireable, as well.

Homes Near the ASU Research Park:

Many types of homes can be found near the ASU Research Park. From fairly modest patio homes to large, multi-million dollar estates.

Some of our favorite neighborhoods near the ASU Research Park are places like:

Circle G Ranches: Custom homes with many multi-million dollar properties.
Estate La Colina: A really nice neighborhood near McClintock and Warner.
Alta Mirada: Some of our favorite townhomes in the area.
Warner Estates: More custom homes on large lots. An amazing community!
Buena Vista Ranchos: Giddy up, yall! This community has some great features. Don’t miss it!

That’s just a small sample of some of the neighborhoods located nearby.

If you would like more information about this dynamic area, please feel free contact local expert, Nick Bastian. Nick can be reached at 602-803-6425.

Homes Near ASU Research Park

32 Listings

$2,999,000 1001 E CAROLINE Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Compass

$2,449,800 2173 E LA VIEVE Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Venture REI, LLC

$2,399,000 2002 E CAROLINE Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Jason Mitchell Real Estate

$2,325,000 9310 S BALA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Keller Williams Realty Phoenix

$1,675,000 1101 E WARNER Road 117
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: My Home Group Real Estate

$1,095,000 758 E SUNBURST Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Keller Williams Integrity First

$1,066,000 8415 S Kachina Dr Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: West USA Realty

$979,900 790 E SUNBURST Lane
Tempe, AZ 85284 Listing office: Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty

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Certainly, some will feel otherwise. Any time you have such a large change in plans for so many people, there will always people who question the move.

BUT, this is a big deal. While the financial terms of the transaction are not currently available, there’s a LOT to unpack here. This will give Valley a campus of approximately 20 acres here in south Tempe.

While it’s not a BIG deal in the billions like a proposed Coyotes Stadium or a Novus Innovation Corridor, it will affect a lot of families in the area.

Sun Valley Tempe Relocating from 16+ Acre Campus:

Valley Christian Schools sent an email to parents Sunday morning to let them know about the future home of their K-8 campus.

Just a couple of hours later, an email was sent from Sun Valley to church members announcing the relocation of their Tempe campus to a nearby site near McClintock and Chandler Blvd.

Shortly after Sun Valley took over the aging campus from Bethany Community Church in 2011, they realized that the location had challenges for them. Even after modernizing most of the campus, making additions and subtractions to buildings and making the campus much more vibrant and modern, it can still be hard for people to find.

The new 6+ acre campus they are purchasing will be right off of Chandler Boulevard and will be “the most driven-by” of all of their campuses.

Filling Needs For Valley Christian and Sun Valley:

Since 2019, Valley Christian has been running their elementary school at an adjacent property to Sun Valley’s Tempe campus. They purchased that 3.4 acre site in 2019 specifically for their elementary school operations which is currently K-6. There was a long term plan in place to build K-8 on land they purchased near their high school campus in Chandler.

After looking at the roughly $60 million price tag to build those facilities, they decided to explore other options.

At the elementary school, Valley already works closely with Sun Valley, using and leasing some space from their neighbors. The two organizations have a great working relationship and in a colaborative spirit, a deal has been made where both parties seem to benefit greatly from understanding the needs and desires of the other.

For Valley Christian, they have a tremendous opportunity to grow at this roughly 20 acre campus. The current building consists of approximately 3.4 acres with approximately 31,000 square feet of building space. The newly combined campus will be roughly 20 acres with approximately 122,000 square feet of buildings.  In the future, they will decide if it makes sense to sell or lease the smaller space where the current elementary school exists.

For Sun Valley, they will build an entirely new campus that is in a location where they feel like they can grow, as well. It looks like the lot they have purchase is a little more than 6 acres.

Being located just west of the Chandler mall and just a bit north of the 202 freeway along Chandler Boulevard should be a very convenient and easy place for people to find.

Ironically, this new campus for Sun Valley will put them in the same 85226 zip code in West Chandler that the Valley Christian High School Campus is located.

What Happens Next?

Currently, Sun Valley is a landlord to Valley Christian. Soon, those tables will turn and Sun Valley will lease part of the campus back from Valley until their new buildings are completed. It sounds like they are looking at 2 years for build time, but I am sure there’s a plan in place in case it takes longer.

Effective next school year, Valley Christian will have students at their new south Tempe campus.

I’ll update this page if more specific details become available.

Here’s a map of the new location for Valley Christian’s Tempe campus. We think it’s a great location near some awesome neighborhoods.

Housing Near Valley Christian Tempe:

The closest housing near the new Valley Christian campus is a neighborhood called Optimist Park. The campus is also close to an area we call the Camelot Corner, where a great mix of homes and townhomes can be found.

Just to the west, you’ll find The Lakes of Tempe. To the east of the 101, you’ll find the master planned community of Dobson Ranch.

There’s a great mix of homes, restaurants, shopping, jobs and convenient freeway access along the Price Road Corridor that is near the school and the new Sun Valley campus.

We’re happy to help provide area information to anyone looking to relocate to or sell a home in the surrounding areas.

Our office is conveniently located at Price and Warner, directly between these two campuses.

Arizona is one of the nation’s most future-forward and innovative states. It is home to the “Most Innovative University” in the country and some of the fastest-growing economic hubs like the Novus Innovation Corridor. Novus is a massive development in Tempe, and it has an incredible impact on the university, the city, and its surrounding area. 

Located at the NE part of campus, the corridor is located north of University Drive south of Tempe Town Lake from roughly McClintock to Price Road. This Novus video has some more information about the location of the NIC.

Novus Innovation Corridor

The Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe is a 355-acre development at Arizona State University. The development is an urban, mixed-use area and will host a large stretch of office, retail, residential, hotel and entertainment development. 

One example of development within the corridor is the South Pier development. We’re hearing that this could grow to 18 buildings and a $4billion project on the south side of Tempe Town Lake.

The impact isn’t just felt here in Tempe, the impact of many ASU programs are felt all over the world. Their science, technology and sustainability programs truly have a global impact.

NOVUS Innovation Corridor, a 355-acre, multi-phased development that will encompass more than 10 million square feet of urban mixed-use development at buildout that positions ASU to work with public and private partners on sustainability solutions and technology that can be scaled regionally and globally.

Hyatt Place Hyatt House from Novus Innovation Corridor on Vimeo.

This development on ASU’s Tempe Campus will potentially provide thousands of jobs in the years to come. The promising growth of the job market is driving more people to the state, and it’s a great time to have real estate in the area too. 

The NIC will be the epicenter of work, dining, and shopping in Tempe. It will bring over 30,000 new jobs and many more residents to the city of Tempe. 

Points To Know About the Novus Innovation Corridor (NIC)

1. The NIC is a hub for many corporate companies. The businesses moving their operations alone will be able to provide thousands of jobs to residents of Tempe and nearby cities.

2. There will be roughly 4,100 residences built in the NIC, affecting the real estate market in the area. ASU expects there be more demand than supply, which means housing prices will likely continue to see upward pressure in the years to come.

3. The NIC is a place where you can live, work, play, and stay. There will be approximately 700 hotel rooms built in the area with a total of more than 200,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space. These establishments are sure to drive tourism to the area, as well. 

4. Many big corporate and tech companies are expected to move their operations to NIC, providing jobs and attracting ASU grads to stay or relocate to the area. 

5. There are best-in-class collegiate athletic venues in the NIC which gives ASU students the chance to pursue careers not only in corporate and tech but also athletics. Heck, we’re even hearing rumors of the Olympic games as a possible Tempe destination in the future!

6. Follow along! You can follow NovisASU on Twitter for all kinds of local and regional updates.

Take Advantage of the Amazing Impact of Novus Innovation Corridor

ASU has a bright future planned based on the strategic development of this region. Students of Arizona State University and residents of the city will be watching these developments very closely! 

Are you interested in looking for a home near the Novus Innovation Corridor? We’re happy to help. Please contact us to help you find the perfect home in the area. Click here for our contact page. You can also call or text us at 602-803-6425.

The homes below are located in the dynamic 85281 zip code. This is the heart of the Novus Innovation Corridor! We’re happy to send you nformation about homes in surrounding zip codes, as well!

Homes Near the Novus Innovation Corridor

93 Listings

$339,100 2129 E KIRKLAND Lane 1
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: Home America Realty

$335,100 2123 E KIRKLAND Lane 4
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: Home America Realty

$450,000 1351 W 10th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: Redeemed Real Estate

$849,677 1426 S GRANDVIEW Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: eXp Realty

$485,000 1423 W 6TH Street
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: Instasold

$279,990 616 S HARDY Drive 111
Tempe, AZ 85281 Listing office: My Home Group Real Estate

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On June 3rd, 2022, the US Postal Service announced that there would be a new zip code for the City of Tempe. This change becomes effective as of July 1, 2022.

Residents will have one year after the change as a grace period. All people in the area are encouraged to start using the new zip code and to notify anyone who sends mail to them.

ie: Family, friends, business associates anyone that sends mail to them.

When we currently think of the City of Tempe, we think of 4 main zip codes. For as long as I can remember, we have had 85281 and 85282 as the northern part of Tempe and 85283 and 85284 in the southern portion of the city. We have a small zip code near ASU and two others that are used for PO BOX deliveries. (85287, 85280, 85285)

Where is the 85288 Zip Code?

Some of the new zip code is north of Tempe town lake. Another portion is located south of the lake, east of Rural and north of University. Another small portion is located east of the 101 freeway and includes a little more than the Villagio neighborhood.

This area is where South Scottsdale meets the northern part of our city. Residents love the convenience of being so close to so many amazing things.

Being close to easy freeway access, outdoor activities and parks, tons of restaurants, world-class shopping, jobs and so much more are things this area is known for. The different types of housing in the area are a benefit, as well. Single family homes, condos, and townhomes can all be found in the area. There’s a mix of older homes with some newer infill projects, as well.

The City of Tempe was incorporated in 1892 and a lot has happened around here since that time. Personally, I was surprised to hear that we are getting a new zip code here in the City of Tempe. BUT, with the rapid population growth in our area, the USPS has to find ways to continue to offer effective and efficient service.

Pay attention if you live in the area or if you do business there. This change kind of snuck up on a lot of people, and I’m sure many will be caught off guard. If you live or have a business in the new 85288 area, the USPS is notifying you by mail.

Please feel free to contact the USPS for any questions related to these changes.

Of course, there’s some very interesting history concerning past attempts to sell the property.

After a failed attempt in 1979 to develop the course into a “high density residential area” there was an agreement put in place that says the golf course had to be operated as a golf course until 2025.

 In February 1980, the Superior Court rendered a judgment that the Shalimar Golf Course had to be operated as a golf course until 2025. ShalimarAssociation.org

It sounds like the course was also listed for sale in 2005/2006. There’s a lot more information about the history of past sale attempts on this web page.

No pricing is currently listed on the brokerage site for the (approximately) 42 acre site that is said to currently be zoned AG.

Of course, any potential new developer may desire to try and change that zoning if they want to develop the course into anything other than its current use.

However, the existing Shalimar Association web site states the following:

The sole purpose of Shalimar Association, a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt corporation, is to protect the below-noted covenant, and, therefore assure the Shalimar Golf Course remains a golf course, including the land on which the driving range, maintenance yard, and the club-house sits.

Information from listing brokerage Nathan & Associates does mention that “the opportunities for potential redevelopment are numerous.” – The offering can be found here: Shalimar Golf Course – For Sale

Here are some photos from the information we have so far.

We understand that there will be a lot of people who want Shalimar to remain a golf course, and we understand that a LOT of people enjoy the lifestyle that the current area provides.

I just heard about this listing on June 3rd, 2019 and thought that many of my friends would find it interesting.

Please note: I am NOT a commercial real estate expert. My experience is strictly as a residential real estate agent. I am NOT the listing agent and have nothing to do with the fact that the Shalimar Golf Course has been listed for sale.

If we get any more information, this page will be updated.

On December 14th, the city council approved a zoning change that allows the re-zoning and leaseback of land that should be one of the last hurdles to allow this deal to happen.

Basically, Tempe is leasing the land to a development group made up of Aparium Hotel Group, Baum Revision and BlueRoad Ventures, all of which are based out of Chicago. According to multiple sources, this is the same development group that has been sniffing around Mill Avenue for quite some time. They have wanted to develop this property and have apparently found some cash under the pillow of Dick Portillo of Portillo’s restaurant fame, which allows them to make the deal a reality.

We take everything that makes a city great—its history, heart, and utility; its passion, tragedy, and soul—and boldly bring them together into one extraordinary piece of the cultural puzzle. – Aparium Hotel Group.

We’ll be seeing a mixed-used project with restaurant and retail space, as well as some super-cool offices. The second phase of the project will include the boutique hotel by the Aparium Hotels group. Construction on phase one could start as early as March, with a completion date of summer 2019. I’m not going to hold my breath for that timeline, as many of these projects get delayed. Um, anyone remember the sale of the Monti’s property across the street from the Hayden Flour Mill? It was going to be completed in 2017 and they haven’t even begun construction on the buildings yet…

Hayden Flour Mill to get new life with commercial space, restaurants and hotel

Hayden Flour Mill – Rich in History:

I have taken many photos of the old Mill over the years, as I’m sure millions of people have. Here are a few that I thought were kind of cool. These first two show some of the rich history of the old buildings. The photo on the left shows Hayden C Hayden and a couple of shots from when the Hayden Flour Mill was in operation. The middle photo shows a sign that stood near the corner of Mill and Rio Salado, and the photo on the right shows a fading painting that I’m sure has been around a lot longer than I have.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Inside the belly:

I took these next three photos one day when former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman gave us an inside look at the old Mill many years after production had stopped. I was fascinated by the old machinery and loved looking at the big old safe that was built into a concrete wall.

The original Mill was built in 1874 by Charles Hayden. The large grain silos were not built until 1951. The Hayden family operated the mill until the 1980s, and flour was ground here until 1997.

More of my Hayden Flour Mill photos can be found here:

The Future is Bright in Tempe:

Citing large demand for hotel space and a real desire to do quality adaptive reuse projects, this development group appears to be saying all of the right things.  Downtown Tempe has seen thousands of jobs coming to the area from multiple industries such as technology, insurance and healthcare.  The jobs and growth in the downtown Tempe area have been a great success story in recent years, for sure..

The two-phase adaptive reuse project will span 150,000 square feet, celebrate the distinguished architectural character of the existing historic structures, and tastefully expand upon the site with the addition of a modern, mid-rise building. Upon completion, the property will consist of a full-service hotel featuring 165 guestrooms and suites, market-leading food and beverage offerings and innovative meeting space, as well as 30,000 square feet of boutique retail and creative office space. The project will also debut an expansive event lawn space for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors. – AZ Big Media

This is a photo of Mill Avenue from approximately 1900. A lot has changed in our city since that time. Back then, I bet very few people ever envisioned billion dollar real estate deals, a modern streetcar system, a 100,000 student University or the amazing city we have grown to become. I often wonder what the next couple hundred years will bring.

We sincerely hope this Tempe treasure will be developed into something of which we can all be proud.

The Tempe Public Market Cafe, Oink Cafe and Zipps Sports Grill are all opening soon off of Warner Road. Oink and Zipps are at McClintock and Warner, and the Tempe Public Market will be opening at Rural and Warner.

Maybe the biggest news is the new Tempe Public Market Cafe that’s coming to the NE corner of Rural and Warner in the old Circle K building. They’ll have a 3200 square foot restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They’ll have sandwiches, salads, slow-cooked meats, pastries, coffee and a bar with local beer and wine. I’ve been talking to people about this for a few months, and everyone seems to be really excited for these guys to be coming to South Tempe. While the press release and the New Times story didn’t mention it, we’ve also heard that a “high-end” Mexican food restaurant could be joining them on that corner in the old Barro’s space.

Another really cool addition to the area is going to be the new Oink Cafe, which is opening in the old Marcello’s space at the SW corner of McClintock and Warner. Breakfast, lunch and bacon. What else could we ask for. Right? They have 2 current locations and their reviews are awesome. I am really looking forward to this one opening as it is the closest of the three to my home!

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I really shouldn't be so happy about these guys opening right around the corner from our house. But: #bacon #southtempestyle

A post shared by Nick Bastian (@nickbastianaz) on Nov 5, 2016 at 3:23pm PDT

The other one I noticed back in like March or April. A liquor license application in the window said that Zipps Sports Grill was looking to move into a building near the NE corner of McClintock and Warner. They have done a LOT of work to the building and added a pretty cool looking outdoor patio. Nothing wrong with having a new sports bar in the ‘hood, right?

Here’s the sign I saw in the window earlier this year.

View this post on Instagram

Looks like @zippssportsgrills is coming to McClintock and Warner. I'm cool with that! #southtempestyle #Tempe

A post shared by Nick Bastian (@nickbastianaz) on Apr 15, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

Chickens, Eggs and South Tempe Restaurants

For years, I have talked to people about how underserved this area seems to be with quality restaurant options. Sure, there are nice homes here and disposable income in this area is higher than several areas with more dining options, but density has been a big question mark. Larger homes on larger lots have apparently kept some restaurant owners away. Until now… I’m glad to see this recent activity in the area. Sure, we have yummy local places like Great Harvest Bread, Vincitorio’s, Crepe Bar and several others nearby, but I think all three of these places will be a great addition.

The 85284 zip code was recently ranked as a top 5 wealthiest zip code in the state, with average incomes north of $148,000. Most of these people can probably afford to eat out. I hope these new restaurants thrive and open the door for more to come!

Zenefits Expanding in Tempe:

Zenefits – Hayden Ferry

This past week, it was announced that Zenefits is expanding their operations in Tempe at the super-cool 3rd and final Hayden Ferry tower that is currently under construction. They signed a lease for 5 floors of the Class A tower and will occupy 135,000 square feet of space. Zenefits plans to hire 700 people by the end of the year, which will bring their number of employees to 1300 after adding to the 600 employees they already have at their Old Town Scottsdale location.

Zenefits will be joined by a lot more new faces along Rio Salado Parkway in the very near future. The new Hayden Ferry Tower is already 92% leased before being completed, and Marina Heights is not far behind with their addition of thousands of jobs. Yes, thousands.

Depending on where you get your information, we’ve heard 6000, 8000, 10,000 and 12,000 jobs being added at the massive Marina Heights development. I am not sure exactly how many they are bringing, but I am sure that the area will be forever changed by the tremendous amount of development we are currently seeing.

Zenefits will benefit by this awesome location, the large talent pool of employees and the proximity to the airport, Mill Avenue and all that the super-cool 85281 zip code has to offer.

“We’ve found a great talent pool in the greater Phoenix area. We’ve been able to hire a lot of ambitious, smart people and we want to keep tapping into that market. This Tempe location is great, too.” – Mark Woolway, Zenefits VP of corporate development and business operations

The City of Tempe seems pretty pleased with the amount of new jobs coming to the area. From the Tempe city council to the Chamber of Commerce, there has been a lot of talk about the expansion that is occurring. Of course, we’d be happy to help Mr. Woolway and his crew find new homes for Zenefits employees in the area. We can think of some pretty cool lakeside communities near their offices. Of course, another nice thing about the area is the fact that MANY choices are available within a short commute from their new offices. Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe all have a ton of options for people wanting to be close to their shiny new building on Mill and Rio Salado.

Are you moving to Tempe or the surrounding area? We’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.

Contact The Nick Bastian Team at Realty Executives. We can be reached at 602-803-6425 and we are happy to help!

Here in Tempe, there’s always a ton of talk about what is happening “on Mill.” There’s no explanation needed, there are no directions to be given if you say you are going to a bar, restaurant, shop or event on Mill. EVERYONE knows exactly what you are talking about.

While some might not be huge fans of Mill Avenue and people in south Tempe whine about north Tempe getting all of the attention, resources and favor of our leaders, the reality is, the economic engine that is ( or was ) the Mill Avenue District paves the way for more growth in the city and in the region.

Last night, we heard city leaders talk about plans and the vision to re-brand the Mill Avenue District. A new logo, new marketing blitz and a fancy new web site have been put in place to tell people about Downtown Tempe. No longer will they market the Mill Avenue District. The future is all about the larger area of Downtown Tempe. They have been using the #TempeRising tag on all of the major social sites for you to follow along.

Recently, we’ve seen some activity east of Mill Avenue where the House of Trick’s has been rocking it before anyone else really could. Some of this development may be in anticipation of the massive plans that ASU has for the area. For years there has also been talk of stretching the Mill Avenue District west over to the Farmer Arts District, but that has been SLOW coming. Sam Fox and a few others hope to change that as they open the super-cool Culinary Dropout at the Yard in Tempe. Fox restaurants is making an $11 million investment in getting people to come to the “other side of the tracks” west of Mill Avenue. The new venue opens next month joining The Madison and Over Easy. The Madison is a spin and yoga studio that is already open, and Over Easy is another great breakfast addition to the area that opens later this year. The venue will also have The Coop and The Showcase Room as places to hold special events.

Change is coming:

Like it or not, there’s a ton of change coming to the Downtown Tempe area. Thousands of new jobs are being added, BILLIONS of dollars are being invested in and around the area, and we’ll soon see a ton of new residents looking to enjoy the valley’s most urban lifestyle. The new Marina Heights and USA Place will certainly have an impact on Downtown Tempe, but they aren’t alone. We’ve seen a lot of other investment large and small. Soon our past will make way for other future projects. I shot this photo recently of a crane flying in the air near Monti’s La Casa Vieja. I thought it was a bit ironic since the famed restaurant has recently been sold, and cranes will soon be circling the air at 100 S Mill Avenue, where this historic building has stood for a VERY long time. Yes, part of the building is being preserved, but the future site will have some big shiny new additions.

So, Mill Avenue is the new Downtown Tempe. 40 is the new 30 and life goes on. Call it what you want, change is constant and we’ll be watching. What do you think about re-branding of the new Downtown Tempe?