Laveen to see boom of retail, restaurant development

Article originally posted on AZ Central on July 14, 2026

Laveen, the southwest Phoenix neighborhood that was identified as a key growth area for restaurants and retail years ago, will see an influx of new commercial development bringing shopping, dining and family entertainment.

Phoenix officials identified Laveen as one of its targeted areas for new retail development in 2023. The area had seen a surge in new home construction, leading residents and community leaders to request new commercial space and restaurants to cater to the growing population.

Now, some of those projects have already come to fruition, as others are nearing the start of construction.

Here is a look at some of the notable projects coming to Laveen and southwest Phoenix.

Vestar, the Phoenix-based developer of Desert Ridge Marketplace and Tempe Marketplace, plans to begin construction in late fall on Laveen Towne Center, a mixed-use retail development. The company recently released the list of the first confirmed tenants at the center, located at 59th Avenue and Dobbins Road.

Fat Cats, a family entertainment venue with a movie theater, arcade, bowling alley and other attractions.
First Watch: A breakfast and brunch restaurant.
Petersen’s Ice Cream: An ice cream shop and cafe.
Club Pilates: A Pilates fitness studio.
Zara Nails: A nail salon.
Costa Vida: A fast-casual restaurant offering tacos, salads and enchiladas.
V’s Barbershop: A men’s barbershop.
Tropical Smoothie Café: A smoothie shop and quick service restaurant.
Mountain America Credit Union.

Laveen Park Place update

Harkins had owned land near 59th Avenue and Baseline Road for years with plans to develop a movie theater, but in June, Phoenix officials confirmed the plan was no longer moving forward.

Instead, Target committed to a new location at the site. Scottsdale-based developer SimonCRE will lead development of the Target site and is expected to break ground next year.

Most of the retail portion of Laveen Park Place is built out. Anchor stores in the development include Sprouts Farmers Market, TJ Maxx and Michael’s. Buffalo Wild Wings is under construction in the development. Restaurants that are open include Denny’s, Yogis Grill, Backyard Taco and MOD Pizza.

A long-dormant project planned at 59th Avenue and Dobbins Road is planned to begin construction in the second quarter of 2027.

Developer RAI Holdings took over the project, now called District 59, and adjusted some of the plans, including adding more retail and restaurant space.

Now the plan calls for nearly 25 acres of retail and restaurants, which will allow for about 115,000 square feet of buildings. The plan includes nearly 15 acres of apartments, totaling 360 units. The project also includes a community open space that will be surrounded by two sit-down restaurants.

19th Avenue and Baseline

A retail and apartment project planned at 19th Avenue and Baseline Road is not in Laveen but plans to bring a long-awaited grocery store to the area.

According to documents submitted to Phoenix, discount bulk grocery store WinCo Foods has signed a purchase agreement to buy some of the land in the proposed 100-acre development to build a roughly 84,000-square-foot store.

Scottsdale-based Diversified Partners will develop the retail portion of the project and plans to break ground in mid-2027. The company is in negotiations with other businesses for locations in the development but has not yet announced any official tenants.