Graycor Marks Start of Second SkyBridge Facility

SkyBridge Arizona, a first-of-its-kind unified cargo process facility, broke ground April 18 on its second 250,000-sq-ft building at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Graycor Construction Co. and local leaders broke ground on the project’s newest building, which will offer 32 ft of clear height, a 7-in. reinforced slab, 30 dock-high and six ground-level doors and generous power and parking. The building, known as Building 108, is divisible, allowing it to serve a wide range of tenant types and sizes. It’s nearly identical to Building 109, completed less than two months prior. Buildings 109 and 108 will bring active Class A industrial construction at SkyBridge Arizona to a half-million sq ft.

The project could quicken shipping between the U.S. and Mexico by allowing onsite inspections and processing of cargo headed to Mexico. Graycor has already completed an 82,500-sq-ft Class A hangar building for the project, which includes office space and four bays to accommodate business jets. It has also completed a 52,000-sq-ft flex industrial building with 24 ft of clear height, storefront entries, administrative offices, conference and break areas and a warehouse component with up to four docks. Both buildings are fully leased.

“We have designed and are developing SkyBridge Arizona for the unique needs of those operating in the aviation, air cargo, e-commerce, manufacturing and defense sectors,” said Ariel Picker, president of SkyBridge Arizona and SkyPlus Development. “The tenants who now occupy our SkyBridge buildings 106 and 107 are representative of those sectors. That is gratifying to watch come to fruition and a positive indication of what lies ahead for this unique development.”

When SkyBridge Arizona is completed, it will span 1.3 million sq ft of aeronautical development, nearly 2.2 million sq ft of non-aeronautical development and 270,000 sq ft of commercial retail and office development.

“The product mix at SkyBridge Arizona is in line with the current demand trajectory of the Mesa Gateway submarket,” said Rusty Martin, Graycor Construction Co.’s Southwest division general manager. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with SkyBridge Arizona by bringing the next phase of this one-of-a-kind resource to the East Valley, the state and the region.” The architect for SkyBridge Building 108 is ADM Group.

Banner Health announced plans for a $400-million medical campus in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Photo courtesy Banner Health

Banner Health Plans $400M Campus in Scottsdale

Banner Health announced it is planning to build a new medical campus featuring a comprehensive medical center and support services on an approximately 48-acre site in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The estimated $400-million project will include an acute care hospital, adjacent medical office building and a cancer center. According to the company, Banner Scottsdale Medical Center will have a focus on cardiovascular, orthopedics, cancer and neuroscience programs.

“Our strategic growth plan is focused on convenience and access, with facilities close to home for our patients, members and their families,” said Scott Nordlund, chief strategy and growth officer for Banner Health. “Scottsdale is a natural growth area for Banner, and we are committed to ensuring our patients and health plan members have care close to where they work or live when they want and need it.”

The four-story, 384,000-sq-ft Banner Scottsdale Medical Center is expected to open in 2026 with 106 licensed patient beds and 20 observation beds, along with shelled space for expansion. The medical office building will house physician offices, specialty care and other clinical services. SmithGroup will lead the project’s design, with Okland Construction set to serve as the contractor.

Diversified Partners Breaks Ground on $125M Gilbert, Ariz., Development

Diversified Partners, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based real estate brokerage and development company, announced the April 6 groundbreaking for its Mercy Center development project in Gilbert, Ariz. Located in the Mercy Gilbert medical district, the $125-million project will cover more than 11 acres and will feature a two-story Starbucks along with two-story retail, restaurant and office space.

“I love seeing developments provide well-planned solutions to needs within our community. This development includes two hotels that will provide necessary and quality hospitality choices for families and visitors of loved ones at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and the soon-to-open Phoenix Children’s Hospital, just steps across the street,” said Mayor Brigette Peterson.

The construction will be led by Sigma Contracting, with Upward Architects serving as the project’s architect and Rick Engineering Co. as the civil engineer.

The eastern half of the property will be home to a five-story Residence Inn by Marriott, a Homewood Suites Hotel and a regional headquarters for Bell Bank. “We’re excited to bring this legacy property to the Gilbert community,” said Walt Brown Jr., CEO and founder of Diversified Partners.

Canada Consultant Acquires Nevada-Based Kordt Engineering Group

Vancouver, British Columbia-based design consultant RJC Engineers announced an expansion of its services in the U.S. with the acquisition of Kordt Engineering Group, with offices in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev. According to the company, “This acquisition allows RJC to serve the entire North American market better.” The firms will continue to provide structural engineering, facade engineering and structural glass engineering, among other services.

“Our firms and people have worked together for over a decade and share a history of successfully delivering projects throughout the United States,” said Mike Moffatt, executive principal of RJC Engineers. 

Kordt Engineering Group is a structural engineering firm providing designs for a broad variety of building types, with clients across North America and in Europe, according to RJC. Kordt Engineering founder Stephan Kordt now is president of RJC’s U.S. operations.