Phoenix is experiencing an unprecedented industrial boom. From data centers to technology manufacturing, the Valley’s industrial landscape has changed dramatically. Industrial land development is no longer as simple as finding a flat piece of land and building a concrete shell. As the region expands and available land becomes increasingly scarce, bringing an industrial facility to life has evolved into a complex, multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a deep understanding of regional supply-demand dynamics, municipal infrastructure limitations, environmental constraints, and community relations.
Navigating this changing environment demands a collaborative, forward-thinking approach that prioritizes long-term viability, safety, and community integration. Colliers Engineering & Design has been a key player in shaping the region, offering clients a full suite of services to bring projects from site selection to completion.
Zach Hilgart, PE, has worked on a wide variety of civil and site development projects, contributing to over 3,500 acres of industrial development across the Valley. His approach to the process is distinct: treating industrial development with the mindset of a Master-Planned Community (MPC).
Master Planning for Industry
Master-planned communities have been a staple of the Greater Phoenix area for decades and are where Zach began as an engineer. From an engineering perspective, these projects require a multidisciplinary strategy to ensure success. In simple terms, designing an MPC can be like building a new City from the ground up. From project inception to final completion, MPC clients are guided through every stage with specialized services, securing water rights and infrastructure to provide the water, wastewater treatment facilities, major road infrastructure, stormwater/floodplain management, civil/site engineering, utility coordination and relocation, and traffic planning.
As available land parcels grow larger and move further out, the approach to industrial land development is shifting. Land development projects are increasingly utilizing methodologies traditionally reserved for large residential developments, applying the principles of community master planning to expansive industrial projects.
“When we look at a site for a master-planned community, our teams are thinking about utilities, anticipated traffic, and how to make the development a seamless part of the surrounding area,” explained Zach. “Our clients see a clear benefit when we approach an industrial site as a master-planned community. Looking at the site holistically allows our clients to see potential issues before they sign on the dotted line.”
A Holistic Approach to Development
For private sector developers, corporate clients, and real estate partners, acquiring industrial land can be a lengthy process, especially as multi-million-square-foot parcels become rare.
By adapting the framework of residential master planning to industrial real estate, developers gain a cohesive overview of a location and can mitigate problems before they arise. From utilities to zoning requirements, evaluating a future industrial site through a master-planning lens enables Colliers Engineering & Design’s clients to keep the big picture in focus.
The site selection process evaluates four key criteria for industrial development:
- Traffic & Transportation
- Water Availability
- Sewer Capacity
- Zoning Requirement
Additionally, Colliers Engineering & Design factors in the environmental needs of the site, ensuring all critical bases are covered before final site selection.
By partnering with a local team backed by national reach, clients work with experts who deeply understand the region.
“Once a site is ready to break ground, my team will transition the project to our land development professionals with expertise in data centers, spec industrial, warehousing, etc. to carry the site across the finish line,” said Zach.
The Future of Industrial Development in the Valley
Looking ahead, the industrial landscape in Greater Phoenix is poised for further economic growth. The region’s geographic advantages, favorable business climate, and robust labor pool continue to attract major national and international corporations.
By prioritizing honest communication, leaning on long-held relationships with municipal/agency staff and leaders, seeking excellence in infrastructure design, and caring for the long-term well-being of surrounding communities, development teams can transform complex parcels into thriving economic engines. The Phoenix industrial market remains a landscape of immense opportunity for those equipped to navigate its complexities, diagnose its risks, and engineer its solutions.
Zach Hilgart, PE, will be speaking at Bisnow’s Phoenix Industrial and Manufacturing Outlook on Wednesday, September 30. For more information on the event, visit Bisnow’s event page.