Tempe, January 20, 2026
McCarthy Building Companies has made a significant investment in Tempe, Arizona by acquiring a local hotel to create a national Center for Learning and Development. This 12-acre campus will focus on enhancing workforce skills and supporting the local economy by attracting employees for various developmental programs. The investment emphasizes the importance of human capital in the construction industry, while promoting community integration and environmental stewardship.
Tempe, Arizona
Driving Growth: McCarthy Building Companies Establishes Major Development Hub in Tempe
A significant new investment is set to bolster both the local economy and the future of skilled trades in Tempe. McCarthy Building Companies, a national construction leader, has strategically acquired a prominent local hotel to transform it into a state-of-the-art national Center for Learning and Development. This move underscores a commitment to fostering personal achievement and entrepreneurial spirit within its workforce, while simultaneously contributing to the vibrant economic landscape of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
This initiative exemplifies how private sector investment can drive economic growth and workforce innovation. By focusing on internal talent development, McCarthy Building Companies is not only strengthening its own operational capabilities but also creating a ripple effect of positive economic activity across Tempe and beyond. Such private-led investments are often catalysts for broader prosperity, providing new opportunities and affirming the region’s attractiveness for long-term business endeavors.
A Strategic Investment in Human Capital
McCarthy Building Companies, a firm that is 100% employee-owned, has completed the purchase of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tempe, Arizona. This 12-acre campus, located at the corner of Priest Drive and Broadway Road, is slated to become the company’s new national Center for Learning and Development. The decision reflects a substantial commitment to its workforce, recognizing that investing in people is paramount to sustained success and innovation in the competitive construction industry.
The newly acquired property, previously known as the Fiesta Inn campus, will undergo significant revitalization. McCarthy plans to preserve the campus’s distinctive architectural character while implementing refreshed and modernized aesthetics. This careful balance of preservation and modernization aligns with community values, ensuring the facility integrates seamlessly into Tempe’s existing fabric.
Economic Impact and Community Benefits
The establishment of this national center is anticipated to generate considerable local economic impact. The facility is expected to host thousands of McCarthy employees annually, drawing them from across the country to Tempe for multi-day learning programs, leadership development, and team-building outings. This influx of professionals will support local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and other service providers, throughout the year.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods lauded McCarthy’s decision, highlighting the significant investment in restoring and improving the property. Such private sector revitalization efforts often lead to new on-site employment opportunities, further supporting Tempe’s economic and community development objectives. The commitment to maintaining the campus’s lush landscape also demonstrates a thoughtful approach to community integration and environmental stewardship.
Expanding Arizona’s Workforce Development Landscape
This new facility in Tempe represents an expansion of McCarthy’s already significant presence in Arizona. It joins the existing Innovation and Craft Workforce Center (ICWC) in Chandler and the company’s Southwest Regional Headquarters in Phoenix. While the Chandler center focuses on hands-on skills development and training for craft professionals and trade partners, the Tempe center will specifically host professional development programs, leadership and executive development, and skill-specific coaching and training for the firm’s 8,000 employees. This dual approach ensures comprehensive growth opportunities across all levels of the organization.
The broader context of Arizona’s economic landscape highlights the increasing demand for skilled labor. Investments in job training and development, like McCarthy’s, play a crucial role in reducing unemployment rates, attracting new businesses to the region, and fostering innovation within existing enterprises. This ultimately contributes to a more resilient and adaptable local economy.
Tempe’s Welcoming Business Environment
Tempe has actively cultivated a pro-business environment, focusing on both attracting new enterprises and nurturing those already established within the city. Programs such as Tempe360, a Business Retention and Expansion Program, connect existing businesses with vital city and external resources. This strategic support framework, combined with Tempe’s central location and its role within the Greater Phoenix area’s thriving technology and semiconductor industries, makes it an attractive destination for significant corporate investments like McCarthy’s.
The city’s commitment to supporting organic growth for its businesses, along with an anticipated population increase, underscores why companies are choosing Tempe for major development projects. This collaborative spirit between the private sector and local governance helps create an ecosystem where innovation and economic progress can flourish, benefiting residents and businesses alike.
A Foundation for Future Success
McCarthy Building Companies, with a history spanning back to 1864, has consistently emphasized investment in its people, nationally recognized safety programs, and a collaborative approach to project execution. By establishing the Center for Learning and Development, the company reinforces these core values, ensuring its workforce is equipped with the advanced skills and leadership capabilities necessary for future challenges. This long-term vision for human capital development positions McCarthy, and by extension, the Phoenix AZ business community, for continued success and sustained economic contribution.
Conclusion
The acquisition of the Tempe hotel by McCarthy Building Companies to create a national Center for Learning and Development is a testament to the enduring power of private investment and strategic workforce development. This initiative not only solidifies McCarthy’s commitment to its employee-owners and their professional growth but also injects significant economic vitality into Tempe. As the Phoenix metropolitan area continues its trajectory of economic expansion, projects like this highlight the critical role that entrepreneurial innovation and investment in human capital play in building a prosperous future. We encourage our readers to stay engaged with the ongoing economic developments shaping our community and to recognize the positive impacts that such strategic business moves have on our collective future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What company purchased the Tempe hotel?
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) purchased the Tempe hotel.
What was the former name of the hotel?
The purchased property was the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and was formerly known as the Fiesta Inn campus.
What is the purpose of the acquisition?
The purpose of the acquisition is to establish a new national Center for Learning and Development for McCarthy employees.
Where is the new center located in Tempe?
The new center is located at the corner of Priest Drive and Broadway Road in Tempe, Arizona.
How large is the new campus?
The new campus is a 12-acre property.
What impact will this center have on the local economy?
The center will bring thousands of McCarthy employees from across the country to Tempe annually for multi-day learning and development programs and team-build outings, providing local economic impact.
What types of programs will the Tempe center offer?
The Tempe center will host professional development programs, leadership and executive development, and skill-specific coaching and training for the firm’s 8,000 employees.
How does this new center relate to McCarthy’s other Arizona facilities?
The new Tempe learning and development campus expands McCarthy’s Arizona presence, joining the Innovation and Craft Workforce Center (ICWC) in Chandler and its Southwest Regional Headquarters in Phoenix.
Key Features of McCarthy’s Tempe Development Center
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Company | McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (100% employee-owned) |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona (corner of Priest Drive and Broadway Road) |
| Previous Property | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (formerly Fiesta Inn campus) |
| Campus Size | 12-acre property |
| Purpose | New national Center for Learning and Development for employees |
| Expected Attendance | Thousands of employees annually from across the country |
| Program Focus | Professional development, leadership and executive development, skill-specific coaching and training |
| Local Economic Impact | Provides local economic impact through employee visits and new on-site employment opportunities |
| Revitalization Plans | Preserving architectural character, refreshed and modernized aesthetics, enhanced landscape |
| Timeline for Improvements | 18-24 months for planning and construction improvements |
| Arizona Presence | Expands McCarthy’s Arizona operations, complementing existing Chandler ICWC and Phoenix Headquarters |
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