TEMPE, Ariz. — A new chapter in Tempe’s industrial growth officially kicked off with shovels hitting the ground on a six-acre headquarters development for Pacific Office Automation (POA). The ceremonial groundbreaking, hosted by developer Creation, drew local officials, project partners and community leaders, who hailed the site as a critical addition to North Tempe’s tight industrial market.
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The project spans more than 120,000 square feet across two new buildings, including a 75,000-square-foot Southwest headquarters for POA and an additional 45,000-square-foot building available for lease or sale. The campus will include 32-foot clear heights, a shared truck court, 185 parking stalls, eight EV chargers, and dedicated bike parking, tailoring the space to modern industrial and logistics users.
Located at 1400 W. 3rd Street near Loop 202 and I-10, the site offers immediate connectivity to metro Phoenix, surrounding distribution hubs, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a factor developers say gives Tempe a strategic advantage.
For Creation’s Mountain West principal Grant Kingdon, the project signals the region’s continued expansion. “This is our third industrial groundbreaking in Tempe this year — a testament to the market’s momentum and long-term potential,” Kingdon said. He added that “Tempe offers unmatched access to freeways, airports, amenities and skilled labor”, pointing out the scarcity of modern infill spaces. According to Kingdon, “for users seeking modern facilities, opportunities like this are almost nonexistent,” noting that “90% of Tempe’s industrial buildings between 40,000 and 60,000 square feet were developed before 2000.”
The development aligns with Creation’s ongoing roster of new builds, joining recent launches like Source Business Center and Nexus Commerce Center, both designed to attract distribution, showroom and light manufacturing tenants who demand connectivity and efficiency.
Serving as both architect and general contractor, Phoenix-based LGE Design Build will design and manage construction from the ground up. Their integrated delivery approach is expected to streamline timelines and provide tailored specifications for POA’s long-term footprint.
As part of the groundbreaking celebration, Creation and POA jointly donated $25,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, which supports 16,000 local youth across 30 club locations. The contribution was highlighted as a symbol of the project’s community alignment.
POA CEO Adam Pritchett said the new headquarters reinforces the company’s mission in the region. “Breaking ground in Tempe marks an exciting milestone for Pacific Office Automation as we continue to invest in our people, our customers, and the communities we serve,” he said. He emphasized POA’s strategy to scale in fast-growing markets, adding, “This new regional headquarters represents our long-term commitment to growth in the Southwest — one of our fastest-growing and most dynamic regions — and reflects our vision to create spaces that foster innovation, collaboration, and customer success.”
With construction now underway, the headquarters is expected to open in late 2026. Once complete, it will add much-needed modern inventory to a market that has become increasingly starved for industrial space amid record leasing demand and supply chain shifts benefiting the Phoenix region.
Originally reported by AZ Big Media.
