The East Valley of Phoenix has quickly become one of the most active regions for retail growth in the Southwest. As population continues to surge across Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek, national and local retailers alike are paying close attention to the opportunities emerging throughout this rapidly expanding submarket. Strong population growth, high household incomes, and continued residential development have made the East Valley a prime target for retail tenants, investors, and developers looking for well-located commercial real estate in the greater Phoenix area.
One of the most notable trends in East Valley commercial real estate is the shift of retail growth toward the southeast corridor. Areas like Queen Creek and the eastern portions of Mesa are experiencing explosive residential expansion, creating demand for neighborhood retail centers, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses. With thousands of new rooftops being delivered each year, retailers are actively searching for high-visibility sites with strong traffic counts and convenient access to major corridors. For retail users, getting into these emerging trade areas early can provide a major advantage as the surrounding population continues to grow.
Gilbert has also solidified its reputation as one of the most desirable retail markets in the Phoenix metro. Known for its strong demographics, family-oriented communities, and high consumer spending, Gilbert continues to attract a wide mix of national brands, boutique retailers, and restaurant concepts. Areas surrounding the Loop 202 and major arterial roads have become especially attractive for retail leasing, offering excellent visibility and easy accessibility for residents across the East Valley.
Meanwhile, Chandler remains a key hub for both corporate employment and retail development. With major technology employers and a highly educated workforce, the city supports a strong daytime population that benefits restaurants, retail shops, and service providers. Retail centers located near employment corridors and mixed-use developments continue to see strong leasing activity, making Chandler one of the most stable retail investment markets in Arizona commercial real estate.
As the East Valley continues to evolve, cities like Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert are expected to remain at the forefront of retail growth in the greater Phoenix market. For investors, landlords, and retail tenants, staying informed about these emerging locations is key to identifying the best opportunities for retail leasing, investment, and development. At COBE Real Estate, our team closely tracks retail trends across the Phoenix metro to help clients navigate the evolving commercial real estate landscape and find the right space in the right market at the right time.
Here at COBE Real Estate, we watch Arizona’s commercial real estate landscape very closely—and from our seat, there are several cities and suburban markets that are showing up-and-coming promise. We believe now is a great time to take stock of where the momentum is building. Below are some of the cities and sub-markets we think are worth watching, plus what makes them attractive and how COBE is uniquely positioned to help clients capitalize.
Cities & Submarkets to Watch
From our research and observations, here are several cities and submarkets in Arizona that are up and coming in commercial real estate.
1. Buckeye
A standout for us is Buckeye. Traditionally rural, Buckeye is rapidly transforming. It has a lot of space to grow, excellent access via the Sun Valley Parkway, and increasing interest in industrial / distribution and manufacturing facilities. Big-box and warehouse uses are already moving in.
The city is still with relatively lower land costs compared to more central areas, but infrastructure is catching up. As COBE, our knowledge of Phoenix-metro trends and industrial users means we can help clients secure industrial sites here before land gets too expensive or scarce.
2. Goodyear & Avondale
The western side of Phoenix, including Goodyear and Avondale, is another area we’re excited about. Goodyear’s Estrella Falls development, for one, shows how mixed-use/retail/office/residential are being combined in newer suburban nodes.
Avondale has very strong population growth, and commercial activity is following close behind. For industrial & flex space especially, these areas are seeing increasing lease‐up rates and investor interest. Because of COBE’s brokerage and investment experience, we are well positioned to help clients evaluate users, returns, and risk in these emerging western valley markets.
3. Queen Creek
If you look at Arizona’s fastest-growing housing markets, Queen Creek comes up again and again. Steady housing stock growth, rising incomes, families moving in—this creates demand for retail, service-oriented commercial (e.g. medical, dining, local amenities), and land opportunities.
Queen Creek offers a sweet spot: still not fully “built out,” more affordable land, but close enough to the growth engines of Phoenix to benefit from spillover. COBE’s strength in land and investment property sales gives us a strong ability to help clients identify the best parcels here, negotiate well, and foresee the infrastructure & entitlement challenges.
4. Tucson
Outside the greater Phoenix-Mesa area, Tucson is showing solid, stable growth. The industrial sector has good volumes, small-bay demand is strong, essential retail is doing well, and medical/healthcare submarkets are leasing.
For investors who want exposure to growth without as much of the overheated pricing that Phoenix faces in certain submarkets, Tucson is a compelling option. COBE’s team, while Phoenix-based, tracks Tucson closely—especially for clients looking for diversification or longer-term investment horizons.
Why COBE is Your Edge in These Emerging Markets
We believe that to turn promise into profit, you need more than just identifying where growth is happening—you need deep market understanding, local connections, and the ability to execute. Here’s how COBE Real Estate brings that to the table:
Our full-service brokerage model means we don’t just help you buy or lease; we help you with site selection, market research, entitlements, tenant fit, and long-range planning.
Over 50 years of combined experience, and more than $500 million in real estate volume, give us the insights and negotiation leverage to see around corners—what upcoming infrastructure may affect value, what land supply looks like, what zoning or traffic issues might emerge.
Focused service: we combine research, marketing, follow-up, communication, and loyalty. We pride ourselves on being more than just transactional—we aim to build long-term client relationships so that when markets shift, we’re already in tune.
Domain breadth: we cover all property types (industrial/flex, office, retail, medical/dental, land, investment), so we can help you adjust your strategy depending on which asset class is strongest in the city you’re evaluating.
What to Look Out For & Risks to Monitor
Even in up-and-coming cities there are risks. Here are things we always advise clients to watch:
Infrastructure bottlenecks: water, roads, utilities. Some fast-growing places (e.g. Buckeye, Queen Creek) are pushing against limits.
Zoning, permitting, land entitlement delays.
Overbuilding risks—especially in industrial or multifamily sectors—as speculative development catches up. Even if demand is strong, excess supply can hurt returns.
Market cycles: interest rates, inflation, financing costs can shift rapidly.
To sum up: Arizona remains one of the most exciting states for commercial real estate growth in the U.S. Right now, Buckeye, Goodyear/Avondale, Queen Creek, and Tucson are among the cities where we see the best confluence of demand, supply of land, affordability, and upward momentum. At COBE Real Estate, our deep experience, full-service brokerage model, and local market knowledge put us in the best position to guide clients to make smart investments in these markets, help them avoid common pitfalls, and secure long-term value.
If you’re thinking about investing, leasing, buying, or developing in any of these up-and-coming Arizona cities—or in other submarkets you’re curious about—we’d love to talk through what the best path forward looks like. After all, Quality Has a Name™
If you have currently made the decision to invest in commercial real estate for the first time, diversify your investments, undergo a commercial lease renewal or find a new location for your business, you will need the services of a commercial real estate broker. Why? Generally speaking, the many advantages provided by a commercial real estate broker can help ensure you are protected as your deal proceeds.
Many people aren’t aware of how much more advantageous it is to leverage a real estate broker for such important transactions. Whether you’ve never used a real estate broker before or are looking for a better fit for your situation, finding the right person takes a bit of research. Fortunately, this guide to hiring a real estate broker will further highlight the distinct advantages offered by commercial real estate brokers as well as outline several important considerations you should make while hiring.
What Is a Real Estate Broker?
To successfully begin the hiring process, it is essential to realize what, exactly, a real estate broker does and what sets a broker apart from other real estate professionals. While all real estate professionals, including agents, consultants, associates, realtors, and brokers, can sell real estate, brokers have a distinct advantage over the others.
Most brokers have more training than a realtor or agent. They are also typically held to a higher knowledge standard. In most cases, a broker must take college-level coursework and hold either a bachelor’s or higher degree or have at least two years of real estate experience before completing the certification requirements. Most often, brokers work as independent agents and may have agents working for them.
Why Use a Broker?
For business owners used to negotiating their own deals, hiring a broker can seem unnecessary. At the beginning of a search for commercial property, many people are tempted to undergo the process on their own, but that is usually not in their best interests – and it doesn’t help financially. Tenant and Buyer representation is at no cost to the client; it’s paid through the commission of the lease/sale from the seller.
While it is true that some professionals manage to complete the buying process alone, they’ve done just that – they’ve accomplished the process but are likely missing out on real advantages. Commercial real estate brokers offer a wealth of advantages to clients that aren’t easily undertaken by a busy business owner with multiple other responsibilities.
Primarily, commercial brokers are more effective because they’re accustomed to performing legal real estate negotiations and navigating jargon-filled contract and lease documents, ensuring your negotiations will be handled correctly and in a timely manner without taking away from your other responsibilities. Their vast breadth of knowledge regarding the local markets, as well as local zoning procedures, can help you maximize your profits and alert you to findings the average professional is not aware of. In addition, even brokerage fees are often split with the listing party, minimizing your expense.
How to Find a Broker
Once
you’ve decided to use the services of a commercial real estate broker, you’ll
need to locate candidates for the job. In most markets, there are two primary
ways to do this:
Referrals from Former Clients
Utilize your contacts and find associates who have been satisfied with their broker. Ask which aspects of working with this broker they were happy with, as well as things they may change about the experience. Strengths and weaknesses can vary from a client’s perspective, so don’t be afraid to get multiple opinions. Ultimately, you’ll want to know whether they would work with the same broker again.
Online Reviews and Resources
As with any other service, brokers are subject to a wealth of reviews and critiques online. You can find reviews on multiple online real estate sites like LoopNet, but the gold standard for reviews is often Google itself. Read as many as possible, both positive and negative, and build an overview based on the average.
What to Look for in a Broker
If,
during your search for broker candidates, you’ve found one or more potential
professionals you like, the next step is determining their qualifications.
While all brokers in the state must meet the same minimum qualifications,
you’ll need to ensure the broker will meet the needs specific to your unique
situation. Look for the following:
A Broker in Your Niche
Your property needs are unique depending on the sector of business you occupy. Ideally, a broker with expertise in your asset type will be able to provide personalized insight into the market, identify the buildings that best meet your needs, and come equipped with knowledge regarding the zoning, licensing, fees, and other specifics of the purchase. Moving forward, a broker in your niche can continue to aid with future purchases.
An Expert in the Target Area
Similar to a niche expert, a broker who is an expert in your target market should have a depth of knowledge regarding laws, resources, restrictions, zoning, and proposed developments an outsider would not. In addition, area experts should property lists readily available for your perusal, drastically reducing the time necessary for your new property search.
Superior Communication
Communication is essential for any real estate broker. Do they return phone calls or emails in a timely manner? Did they take the time to discuss your needs, wants, must-haves, and other aspects of your search? Most importantly, does your broker follow through as promised?
A Well-Connected Professional
When you’re searching for a real estate broker, you need a full-time, experienced professional who makes commercial real estate their business. Such professionals are usually well-connected in the area as well as within your niche, which will likely afford you the opportunity to begin building other essential relationships within the community. These relationships have the potential to lead to additional investment opportunities, business networking connections, and more.
Getting Started in Commercial Real Estate
Finding an individual you believe to be your ideal real estate broker is only part of the battle; now, you’ll need to set up a telephone or in-person meeting to ensure the relationship works for both of you and solidify your agreement. If both broker and client are on the same page, the relationship can begin positively.
Begin by telling your broker crucial information about the properties in which you are looking to invest. Be sure to specify the asset type, class of properties, classification of properties, desired area, and ideal price range. It is at this point that your broker has the opportunity to demonstrate the expertise and communication skills you identified in the steps above. A professional real estate broker who is an expert in your niche as well as in your target area should return communication fairly quickly, as the bulk of the current listings should be accessible as needed. Your broker should have an information-rich list of properties that may meet your needs and be willing to discuss negotiation techniques, fees, commissions, and the presence or absence of in-house services to help bring your project to completion.
If the initial consultation went well and you’ve established a relationship with your broker, you’re well on your way to a commercial property deal. As the deal proceeds, good communication, transparency of all fees and policies, and other fair-practice behaviors should remain in place, protecting you and your assets along the way. Finally, always remember to treat your real estate broker as a professional whose time and expertise truly matters to your bottom line; if the broker meets all the qualifications and criteria listed above and treats you well in return, you’re bound to have a business relationship that will benefit you both for years to come.
COBE is THE Trusted Brokerage for Commercial Real Estate in Phoenix
If
you’re looking to buy commercial real estate property in or near the Phoenix
area, it’s time to consult with a broker you can trust. COBE’s commercial real
estate broker team can help you finalize the ideal transaction to meet your
needs.
With over 50 years of combined experience and $500 million of combined real estate volume, we’re confident we are the right solution for your commercial real estate needs.
Pinal Professional Village offers Commercial Office Opportunities in Prime Growth Area
The Pinal Professional Village is located south of the southeast corner of N Gantzel Road in San Tan Valley, AZ. Across the street from Banner Ironwood Medical Center and adjacent to the Encanterra Masterplanned Community, this professional village has a wide array of medical and professional tenants located within the development including: Rural Metro Fire, Pinal County Public Health Clinic, SimonMed Imaging and Arizona Public Safety Advocacy Center.
Pinal Professional Village and Surrounding Area
The Pinal Professional Village is just southeast of Banner Queen Creek Medical Center and 1.5 miles southeast of CHW Hospital. Porter Brothers Construction, one of the premier builders in the valley are constructing the buildings for the professional village. Each unit has an excellent design and is the highest quality shell buildings on the market. Building and monument signage is available.
A major North-South Corridor with traffic counts exceeding 22,000 VPD runs along this property in a prime growth area. San Tan Valley is considered the Fastest Growing Region in Arizona according to the 2010 Census.
Queen Creek also forecasts a potential growth in population to 41,970 by 2020 and has named Healthcare and Biotechnology as a key focus area in the Queen Creek Strategic Plan.
For more information on availability in the Pinal Professional Village Click Here
July 13, 2016 – COBE Real Estate broker, TJ Zaharis recently secured the sale of 3930 E University Drive in Mesa, AZ. The 5,000 SF freestanding office building sold for $465,000 and was under contract within 14 days of being listed. To search properties for sale or lease: Click here
May 13, 2016 – Construction on several buildings at Boston Professional Plaza have recently been completed and closed. The Plaza, located within minutes of the SanTan Village Shopping District, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Loop 202 Freeway, is in the heart of one of the fastest growth areas of Gilbert, Arizona and is quickly becoming a medical hub. COBE Real Estate Broker, Steve Beck, representing the developer in the transactions, has been enthusiastic about the response to the Plaza, “Medical and professional end users have recognized the value of this strategic location and have responded very favorably, as all available buildings are now sold.” The two buildings that have recently been completed will be used as medical space. Porter Brothers Construction, a highly renowned valley builder, will be completing the remaining buildings over the coming months.
Two lease spaces are available at Boston Professional Plaza. 1772 E Boston Suite 107 and 1684 E Boston, Suite 102.
Testimonials
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I can't say enough great things about COBE Real Estate! They made me feel like I was their only client – they were organized, patient, responsive, and they listened. I expect a lot from people and hold them to very high standards, so when I say they are the best, I mean it. I will definitely work with COBE again – and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a capable commercial broker.
Dr Frank Oppong-Takyi, MD
COBE Real Estate is a high performing brokerage that sets and meets expectations. They have a streamlined approach for leasing/selling commercial properties that is efficient and effective. Because of their market knowledge, work ethic, determination, and perseverance, they have earned my trust.
Conrad Morin, VP Sunrise Bank of Arizona
COBE Real Estate was a very wise choice for me, and I highly recommend them for any of your leasing, rental, or selling needs. Not only did they negotiate a great deal on the building I bought, but they also were able to sublease a portion in this very difficult market. COBE is aware of market demand, has great contacts, and a great firm.
Brad Arnett, CEO Arnett Insurance
TJ Zaharis is an outstanding broker! He has helped us find 3 different office spaces. He understands the market. He listens attentively to our needs and uses his resources and connections to find both listed and unlisted options. Twice he found us amazing deals that weren't even on the market yet. He walked us through the process each time and was patient with questions and concerns. I would highly recommend TJ for your commercial real estate needs!
Kristen K.
When I purchased my new office, I secured extra space as an option for future expansion or potential rental income. COBE Real Estate exceeded my expectations and not only helped me with the acquisition of the property, but also efficiently located a tenant for the extra space and helped me step by step to become a successful landlord. I could not have done any of it without the help and guidance of COBE Real Estate.
Therese Losi, DPM
I hired Cobe Real Estate, specifically Steve Beck, to assist me with a commercial property in Yavapai County. I had been through a number of local brokers who did not understand the market value or potential use of this property. Steve and his assistant Linda did a wonderful job of researching the market, preparing marketing materials and communicating with interested parties. These folks didn't just list the property and put it out on web, they actively marketed the property through their contacts. They also kept me informed throughout the process. Steve and Linda are both very professional and were excellent representatives when dealing with sophisticated interested parties. The property sold for the number we wanted and I am very happy with work, professionalism and commitment. Excellent real estate specialists.
Gail G
Steve and TJ really know their market and gave such powerful insight to, ultimately, make an informed decision about our commercial needs.
Clint Severson
Steve Beck and Linda are great, they always take time to meet with their clients and understand their needs. They know the commercial real estate market and go above and beyond when representing their clients.
Z Wagner
The staff is so good here and you actually get to talk to a person.
To request a consultation or phone call from one of our commercial real estate agents, please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
