PHOENIX, Ariz. — McCarthy Building Companies, an employee-owned construction firm, has acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tempe to transform it into a state-of-the-art Employee Learning and Development Center, the company announced Friday.
The property, located at the corner of Priest Drive and Broadway Road, will serve as a hub for leadership, skills training, and team-building for thousands of McCarthy employees from across the nation.
“The purchase of our new Center for Learning and Development marks another major investment in our people, performance and culture, and it underscores our long-term commitment to developing the next generation of builders and leaders,” said Ray Sedey, CEO of McCarthy Building Companies. “By creating a dedicated campus for specialized training, connection and leadership development, we’re positioning our partners — and therefore our clients — for long-term success.”
The project will preserve the hotel’s distinctive architectural character and landscaped grounds while modernizing its interiors for learning, collaboration, and employee engagement. McCarthy’s plans include high-tech training rooms, breakout spaces, and updated lodging for visiting staff.
The Tempe center adds to McCarthy’s growing presence in Arizona, complementing its Innovation and Craft Workforce Center in Chandler and Southwest Regional Headquarters in Phoenix. The Chandler facility provides discipline-specific training, hands-on skill development, and prefabrication capabilities to trade partners and craft professionals.
“We have known and respected McCarthy’s work for decades and we are so proud that they chose Tempe as the location for their new Center for Learning and Development,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “Their significant investment in restoring and improving this property is appreciated, and our city looks forward to hosting the thousands of McCarthy construction professionals who will be visiting each year.”
McCarthy has partnered with Deloitte for strategic consultation on the center and Pyramid Global Hospitality to manage operations. Planning and construction improvements are expected to take 18 to 24 months, and the center will provide on-site employment opportunities once operational.
The move underscores McCarthy’s employee-first approach and highlights a trend among construction companies investing in centralized learning hubs to strengthen workforce skills, improve leadership pipelines, and foster a strong organizational culture.
By creating a dedicated campus in Tempe, McCarthy is not only expanding its Arizona footprint but also enhancing opportunities for employee growth, retention, and innovation, according to company representatives.
Originally reported by Kylie Werner, KTAR.Com Editor in KTAR.
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