Why Mesa’s Legacy Park project is a regional game-changer Article originally posted on AZ Central on August 29, 2025 A 200-acre site in southeast Mesa is planned to bring luxury retail and a resort hotel called Legacy Park. Commercial developers Vestar and landowner Pacific Proving LLC are partnering to build a multi-billion-dollar project along Williams Field Road and State Route 24. Southeast Mesa residents have long yearned for high-end dining and retail to land in the area. Over the past year, the city has reprioritized its focus on retail recruitment. For years, fast-casual dining and big-box retail have dominated the commercial space. This new project is expected to be a new “benchmark” for commercial development. It’s also “expected to become the largest mixed-use development the East Valley has ever seen,” according to a statement from Vestar. What is the new Legacy Park project in Mesa? Legacy Park was characterized as an “urban oasis” by Vestar. The development will add 300,000 square feet of upscale retail and chef-driven sit-down restaurants. Vestar is eyeing eateries that will be debuting in the East Valley for the first time. It compares Legacy Park to Scottsdale Quarter. At build-out, it will add 2,500 contemporary multifamily residences. Its proximity to Mesa Gateway Airport and Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus will be a driving component that will support the development of Legacy Park. Vestar aims to add 3.4 million square feet of mid-rise office and corporate campus space. Mesa’s first destination resort hotel is set to debut at Legacy Park as well. That will be led by The Athens Group. The 600-room resort is expected to feature various amenities such as an “extensive spa, wellness and fitness facilities,” indoor and outdoor meeting and event space and a “destination water garden filled with pools and vegetation along with recreational amenities for adults and children alike.” A 20-acre park with a large lake will be an amenity that Vestar hopes will serve as a regional gathering space for recreational activities such as kayaking. It was compared to be Legacy Park’s little “Central Park,” according to Vestar. What does Legacy Park mean for Mesa? Vestar anticipates Legacy Park will generate approximately $56 billion in economic output and create more than 20,000 jobs. It will also serve as a commercial and entertainment district for the larger southeast valley region. The resort hotel will fill the gap in wedding or large meeting space, Vestar found the area to be lacking. The office space is expected to accommodate new headquarters space for companies looking to relocate to Arizona. Who is behind the new Legacy Park development? Phoenix-based developer Vestar will spearhead the project. Vestar has multiple developments across the Valley, including Buckeye’s Verrado Marketplace, Queen Creek’s Vineyard Towne Center and Phoenix’s Desert Ridge Marketplace, to name a few. It also brought in The Athens Group to build the full-service resort hotel. The Athens Group is known for developing Four Seasons, Montage and Marriott, including Ritz-Carlton resorts across the country. Vestar has not announced any tenants at the site as of yet. When will construction begin? Legacy Park will be built out in various phases. The company anticipates submitting preliminary plans for Mesa in the coming weeks. The 200 acres will need to be annexed into city limits and rezoned. Phase one of Legacy Park will include 300,000 square feet of retail, 200,000 square feet of office space, 700 apartment units and the resort hotel. Vestar expects to break ground in 2027 and build out over the next 20 years. What do city officials have to say about Legacy Park? Vice Mayor Scott Somers, who represents the area, told The Republic the development of Legacy Park is going to be “a top priority” for the city. “I’m encouraged, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” Somers said.