Diversified Partners’ groundbreaking event for The Lakefront at Scottsdale on Sept. 24 brought together more than 250 attendees, including project partners, tenants and members of Scottsdale’s civic and business community.
Addressing the crowd inside the existing office building with Camelback Mountain and waterfront views at 7501 E. McCormick Parkway, Diversified Partners CEO Walt Brown Jr. discussed the years of calculated planning behind this approximately 100,000-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment. He also recognized A.R. Mays Construction as The Lakefront’s selected general contractor and design-assist partner, critical for transforming which is helping transform the landmark waterfront property into a premier destination for upscale dining, curated retail and wellness, Class A office space and community gathering.
“The Lakefront is one of the most exciting projects we’ve worked on, and the caliber of concepts joining us speaks to what we believe this property can become,” Walt Brown said “We have an incredible waterfront setting in the heart of Scottsdale, and our goal is to create a destination where people want to dine, gather, work and spend time. We’re excited to officially mark this milestone and see that vision coming to life.”
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky also spoke, highlighting how she personally values the projected impact of this project after growing up just 2 miles away from the McCormick Ranch location.
“My family and I have lived within walking distance for nearly 25 years, so this site holds an incredibly special place in my heart,” Borowsky said. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the level of care, quality and attention to detail Walt Brown and his team bring to the table, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what they have in store for our neighborhood. I am certain creativity, luxury and a welcoming experience will be front and center while honoring our beloved McCormick Ranch lake area.”
Additional City of Scottsdale representatives in attendance included Terrance Thornton, chief of staff for the Mayor’s Office; Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen; Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas; Councilman Barry Graham; Desirae Phrasavath, economic development specialist; and Cheryl Sumners, events manager.
Representatives from the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce included Mark Stanton, president and CEO; Stephanie Miller, executive director of programs and events; Grace Ostaff, programs and events coordinator; Hannah Howard, member services director; Tina Miller and Linda Ruisinger, directors of business development; and Tom Keal, finance manager.
Representatives from A.R. Mays Construction and Commonwealth Land Title Phoenix NCS were also in attendance. Both organizations sponsored the groundbreaking ceremony.
A striking start to the next phase
Donning hard hats and construction vests for the official groundbreaking ceremony, project leaders took sledgehammers to a wall of the existing building originally developed in 1978. The ceremonial moment marked the beginning of the property’s next chapter, with broader demolition scheduled to begin in early October and a significantly larger scope of construction beginning in early 2027 once drawings and permitting are complete.
The project’s phased development will transform the iconic location into a sophisticated mixed-use, multi-tenant property. The large-scale redevelopment will include signature restaurants and outdoor dining, boutique and experiential retail, Class A office space and public gathering areas centered around walkability and waterfront activation.
The destination will further enhance the waterfront experience with Forever Lane, a dedicated valet arrival experience, and a small marina with Duffy boat rentals
Globally recognized dining concepts
Showcasing the mix of dining and hospitality offerings planned for the property, Diversified Partners announced three concepts joining The Lakefront: SUSHISAMBA, V Modern Italian and La La Land, bringing a mix of globally recognized dining, modern Italian cuisine and a distinctive café concept to the development.
SUSHISAMBA has signed a letter of intent for approximately 12,000 square feet at The Lakefront, bringing its celebration of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine to Scottsdale. The brand is known for exceptional dining, inventive cocktails, iconic design and vibrant experiences throughout their international locations.
V Modern Italian will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet and is anticipated to open in 2027. Following openings in Nashville and Charleston and upcoming locations in Tampa and Kansas City, Scottsdale marks the brand’s newest expansion.
Built around its “Feed Your Senses” philosophy, V combines modern Italian cuisine, contemporary design, music and hospitality. Developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Stefano Ciotti, the Scottsdale menu will feature house-made pastas, antipasti, premium meat selections and seasonal ingredients, complemented by handcrafted cocktails, Italian aperitifs and European wines.
La La Land will open in a freestanding corner location. The specialty coffee and matcha café concept is known for its bright, all-white design accented with signature pops of yellow. Its cafés are meant to be a shared space where everyone belongs.
A new chapter for the Scottsdale community
The groundbreaking ceremony marked an important next step in the transformation of the longtime McCormick Ranch property.
While preserving the architectural character of the landmark property, the redevelopment will modernize and upgrade the property with new dining, retail, Class A office and public gathering spaces. Retaining its waterfront views of the lake and Camelback Mountain, The Lakefront at Scottsdale will create new opportunities for visitors to dine, work, gather and experience the waterfront.
With construction moving forward and new concepts taking shape, the groundbreaking marks an important milestone in Diversified Partners’ vision for The Lakefront and the next chapter for this landmark Scottsdale property.
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