Mesa auto mall and retail center leases up with Walmart anchor; plus more deals

Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on July 7, 2026

A roughly 165-acre auto mall and retail center in Mesa is now leasing space, with Walmart as one of its largest announced tenants.

Destination at Gateway is a development along the new State Route 24 interchange off Signal Butte Road, near Mesa Gateway Airport. It includes a roughly 100-acre auto mall and a 65-acre retail center portion that’s being developed by Scottsdale-based Diversified Partners LLC on behalf of the Berge family.

The prominent Berge family owns the land and operates Berge Auto Group, which has seven dealerships, including in Gilbert, Peoria, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa and Phoenix.

Diversified Partners’ founder, CEO and designated broker, Walt Brown Jr., said he anticipates having commitments from eight to 10 auto manufacturers in the “first half of next year” for 24 Auto Row. Future tenants will be able to lease or purchase the land, Brown said.

“We are looking at all of the top 10,” Brown said.

As for the adjacent retail power center, Brown said they are 75% committed with planned tenants including Walmart, 7 Brew, Take 5 Oil Change, Taco Bell, Zara Nail Bar and PAC Dental. There’s still room for additional tenants in drive-through pads, shop space and a junior anchor retailer.

All in all, there will be about 500,000 square feet of retail space with Walmart taking up 200,000 square feet, Brown said. Walmart is expected to open in the fourth quarter of this year, while adjacent retail could open in the middle of next year.

A general contractor for the retail portion hasn’t been chosen yet, but the architect is RKAA Architects, Inc.

The SR-24 is a 5-mile stretch of roadway between Loop 202 in Mesa and Ironwood Drive in Pinal County that was largely completed in 2022.

Destination at Gateway will also be just north of where Fujifilm Electronic Materials U.S.A. Inc., a Japanese semiconductor supplier, is expanding its manufacturing site.

The auto mall and retail center are just one of many other deals and developments happening in the East Valley.

Superstition View Ranchettes, LLC sold the land to BC Invest, which also owns Better Choice Homes.

The land is in an industrial corridor near CMC Steel Arizona, a steel fabricator that recycles scrap metals and melts it to produce metal products.

“This transaction reflects the increasing interest we continue to see in Queen Creek and the surrounding Southeast Valley,” said Rommie Mojahed, a partner with Cre8 Advisors. “With major employers, infrastructure investments, and industrial users expanding throughout the area, demand for well-located land remains exceptionally strong.”

Building E is located within the Phelan Business Park at 5033 S. 71st Street. It was acquired by Ribera-Balko Enterprises and Family Limited Partnership from 7212 E Mesa Gateway LLC.

The industrial park includes 195,577 square feet across five buildings and was developed by Phelan Development Co.

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