Vacant Phoenix elementary school converted into two industrial buildings, fully leased

Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on April 3, 2026

A vacant elementary school in southwest Phoenix has been transformed into two modern industrial buildings that are fully leased.

Merit Partners, alongside Phoenix-based general contractor Stevens-Leinweber Construction (SLC), took on the project called Merit 27 Buckeye, which sits on 18 acres at the southeast corner of 27th Avenue and Buckeye Road.

The development includes two Class A industrial buildings – the first spanning 191,227 square feet, and the other 65,586 square feet.

Daikin, a Japanese HVAC company, is leasing the larger building, while the second building has several tenants, including Mazak, Reliable Garage Doors, Hajoca and Impilo Inc.

Daikin was previously leasing an older building a couple blocks away then inquired about the new development and decided to sign on, said Erik Powell, executive vice president at SLC. Ultimately, the project was entirely leased before construction was finished.

The project’s location is unique as it’s within one of the original industrial corridors in the Valley, said Powell.

“These companies have needs to be in these areas, but they have the modern building desires that go along with industrial and manufacturing use nowadays,” Powell said.

Site required months of work before construction started

Converting the former Murphy Elementary School district campus which included twelve buildings and sat vacant for years wasn’t an easy feat.

“It was a rundown eyesore,” Powell said.

The project required six months of extensive demolition and remediation to make the land shovel-ready. Crews cut back old utilities to the main source and installed a new water line and meters.

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