Following the successful development of the first phase of Lotus Project, a four-building, 474,000-square-foot industrial park in Chandler, Arizona, we embarked on the development of Phase II. The second phase of the development incorporates three additional industrial buildings totaling nearly 300,000 square feet on a 21-acre site.
There are several aspects that make Lotus Project a unique development. The high-visibility site is positioned just off the Loop 202 freeway with building signage rights. This location offers easy access to transportation, a skilled workforce and amenities.
The architecture of the buildings is also unique and seeks to bring ideals rarely seen in industrial facilities and apply them to reimagine the concept of a traditionally simple, bare bones building. From the lotus flower emblem displayed on the truck dock gates to the carefully stained concrete blocks to the color of the furnishings, no detail was overlooked in the design. Furthermore, high parking capacity, efficient truck maneuverability, oversized drive-in doors and fully secured truck courts make the property attractive. The buildings are also constructed with significant electrical infrastructure to attract advanced manufacturing users.
As with any project, our team faced challenges during the development of Lotus Project. Due to material shortages and supply chain issues, we encountered rising material prices and long lead times. To overcome this, we locked in lumber and structural steel orders on an at-risk basis before the design was complete and quantities were known. We also faced delays caused by high demand for the design team, utility providers and local jurisdictions. To prevent this from negatively impacting the overall project schedule, an early buy-in meeting was held with the project team where we committed to turn around times and met with governmental officials to vet any potential concerns or challenges early in the process.
As a result of our efforts, we have seen great success with the project already. Prior to completion of construction in December, we secured users for all three buildings as no other project in the market could provide the design features and location attributes that Lotus Project has.
Written by Sven Tustin, Executive Vice President at Conor Commercial Real Estate.
