McCarthy Building Companies, one of the nation’s oldest and largest builders, has begun construction on a 12-acre employee development and training campus in Tempe designed to centralize professional development and leadership training for the firm’s workforce. The McCarthy Anchor Campus, at 2100 S. Priest Drive, is scheduled to open in early 2028.
Project goals and local impact
The revamped campus will serve as a hub for McCarthy’s more than 8,000 salaried and craft employees across the United States, according to company materials. It will expand the firm’s existing employee development programs by providing a permanent setting for technical training, leadership courses and collaboration across project teams.
Company officials say the development responds to broader workforce challenges in the construction industry and reflects an investment in retention and skill development. The site will include flexible classrooms, breakout spaces, a hotel and a conference center to accommodate immersive training sessions and multi-day programs.
Design, continuity and purpose
McCarthy selected integrated architectural firm SmithGroup to reimagine the existing campus while preserving its Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired design language. The renovation aims to balance updated training facilities with the campus’s established aesthetic.
“The construction industry has always been a people business, but the knowledge and leadership needed to deliver today’s projects are evolving faster than ever as owners demand greater certainty,” said Ray Sedey, chairman and chief executive officer for McCarthy. “This campus represents a significant investment in our people, bringing them together to learn, share expertise and build lasting connections. This campus will create an immersive environment that strengthens our ownership culture and develops future leaders, which benefits our people, our clients and the future of our business.”
By creating on-site lodging and conference capabilities, the campus is intended to host extended training sessions and gatherings that bring employees from across the country to Tempe. The centralized nature of the facility aims to foster networking and knowledge transfer among McCarthy staff.
What the campus will include
- Flexible classrooms and breakout spaces for hands-on and classroom instruction
- On-site lodging to support multi-day programs and visiting employees
- A hotel and conference center for meetings, immersive training and collaboration
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 2100 S. Priest Drive, Tempe |
| Site size | 12 acres |
| Planned opening | Early 2028 |
| Employees served | More than 8,000 salaried and craft employees (U.S.) |
Broader context
The campus project highlights a growing trend among firms in construction and other industries to invest in centralized learning environments as a response to competitive labor markets and evolving technical demands. McCarthy’s public statements frame the investment as part of a strategy to strengthen an employee-ownership culture and to develop future leaders for the company.
For Tempe, the project represents another major corporate investment in the city’s built environment and workforce infrastructure. While McCarthy’s plans emphasize internal training and employee development, the campus will bring workers, trainers and visitors to the area for multi-day programs, with potential short-term effects on local lodging, dining and service sectors during events.
Further details on construction timelines, permits, expected local hiring or community engagement initiatives were not disclosed in initial company materials. McCarthy and SmithGroup will continue to develop and renovate the site ahead of the scheduled opening.
