376-unit apartment complex proposed near IKEA in south Tempe

Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on September 25, 2026

A 376-unit apartment complex development proposed near IKEA in south Tempe is making its way to City Council.

Emerald Center Mixed-Use could be constructed on a 12-acre vacant piece of land on the southwest corner of Ruby and Priest drives, if Council approves rezoning to make way for the multifamily development. The project will be introduced to Council on Sept. 24, and a final vote is expected to happen Oct. 15.

The planned apartment complex is part of a 25-acre parcel that includes Maricopa County Community College District’s headquarters. City staff have administratively approved the subdivision of the site into two parcels, but that “has not yet been recorded,” per a staff report.

“For further processing, the applicant will need approval of a Major Development Plan Review,” the report added.

Maricopa County Community College District acquired the 25.29-acre property last November for $27 million from New York-based The Widewaters Group Inc., which bought the property three months prior, in August 2025, from Target Corp. for $20.5 million, according to Tempe-based real estate data firm Vizzda LLC.

Widewaters is now working in partnership with Trammell Crow Companies to develop the five apartment buildings – each with four stories – on the empty lot just north of the community college headquarters. Emerald Center Mixed-Use would be within the Emerald Center shopping center that has multiple businesses, including Electric Pickle, Life Time fitness club, White Castle, IKEA and other retail and restaurants.

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