A massive mixed-use development taking shape in southeast Mesa, Arizona, has reached another significant milestone as Walmart officially joins the rapidly growing SR-24 Auto Mall project. The retail giant will serve as one of the project’s largest anchor tenants, reinforcing expectations that the area will become one of the East Valley’s largest commercial and automotive destinations.
The approximately 165-acre development, located near State Route 24 and Signal Butte Road, has been steadily progressing from planning into active leasing. With Walmart now confirmed as a key tenant, developers are moving forward with attracting additional retailers, restaurants, service businesses, and automotive dealerships to the site. The announcement represents one of the biggest commercial investments currently underway in southeast Mesa.
A Long-Planned Development Continues to Take Shape
The Vision Behind the SR-24 Auto Mall
The SR-24 Auto Mall has been envisioned as a large-scale destination combining automotive dealerships with retail, restaurants, entertainment, and residential development.
Rather than functioning solely as a traditional auto mall, the project is designed as a mixed-use commercial center capable of serving both local residents and visitors traveling through one of Arizona’s fastest-growing regions.
The development sits north of State Route 24 between Signal Butte Road and Mountain Road, an area experiencing significant residential expansion as thousands of new homes continue to be built across southeast Mesa.
Developers believe the increasing population in the surrounding communities creates strong demand for shopping, dining, vehicle sales, and everyday services within closer driving distance.
Strategic Location Supports Future Growth
The project’s location is considered one of its greatest advantages.
State Route 24 provides convenient highway access throughout the East Valley, while nearby residential neighborhoods continue expanding each year.
City planners have anticipated increasing commercial activity in the corridor as housing development accelerates, making the SR-24 area attractive for major retailers and automotive businesses looking to establish a long-term presence.
Walmart Confirmed as One of the Largest Tenants
Retail Giant Expands Into the Development
The newest announcement confirms Walmart as one of the largest anchor tenants within the project.
Leasing activity has officially begun across the approximately 165-acre retail and auto mall site, with Walmart providing one of the first major commitments.
Anchor tenants are considered especially important because they help attract additional retailers, restaurants, and service providers by increasing expected customer traffic throughout the development.
Previous Plans Revealed a Full-Service Supercenter
Plans previously submitted to the City of Mesa showed Walmart proposing a roughly 171,000-square-foot Supercenter.
According to planning documents, the proposed store would include:
- A full-service grocery department
- A drive-thru pharmacy
- Dedicated online grocery pickup facilities
- An auto care center
- An outdoor garden center
- A fuel station
- Large parking areas for customers
The proposal reflected Walmart’s modern Supercenter format designed to combine traditional retail shopping with grocery services, pharmacy operations, automotive maintenance, and digital order pickup.
The Auto Mall Will Be Much More Than Car Dealerships
Automotive Sales Remain a Central Feature
As its name suggests, automotive dealerships remain a primary component of the overall project.
Developers have planned for multiple vehicle dealerships to operate within the development, creating a centralized destination where consumers can compare numerous vehicle brands in one location.
The project has been associated with Berge Auto Group interests through land ownership entities connected to the development plans.
Retail, Dining and Services Will Complement the Auto Mall
The development is intended to function as far more than an automobile shopping destination.
Plans call for additional commercial uses including:
- National retail stores
- Restaurants
- Quick-service dining
- Service-oriented businesses
- Shopping centers
- Everyday convenience retailers
This combination is expected to encourage visitors to spend more time within the development while providing nearby residents with additional shopping and dining options.
Mixed-Use Development Includes Residential Components
Housing Planned Near Commercial Areas
Earlier planning concepts also included multifamily residential development alongside the commercial sections.
Combining housing with retail and automotive businesses follows a growing trend in Arizona development, allowing residents to live closer to shopping, dining, and employment opportunities.
The residential component also helps provide a steady customer base for businesses operating within the project.
Why Southeast Mesa Has Become a Development Hotspot
Rapid Population Growth Fuels Investment
Southeast Mesa has become one of Arizona’s fastest-growing areas during the past decade.
Thousands of new homes have been approved or constructed, creating demand for grocery stores, healthcare providers, restaurants, entertainment venues, schools, and automotive services.
Major retailers often wait until residential growth reaches sufficient levels before committing to large investments, making Walmart’s decision another indication that developers believe the area’s long-term population growth will support additional commercial expansion.
Infrastructure Improvements Support Commercial Expansion
Transportation improvements around State Route 24 have also increased the area’s attractiveness for large-scale development.
Improved roadway access allows residents from neighboring communities to reach the project more easily while providing convenient transportation for future businesses operating within the center.
Economic Benefits Expected for Mesa
New Jobs During Construction and Operations
Large mixed-use developments typically generate employment in multiple phases.
Construction creates jobs for contractors, engineers, architects, utility workers, and suppliers.
Once completed, permanent employment opportunities are expected across:
- Retail operations
- Grocery services
- Pharmacy departments
- Automotive maintenance
- Restaurant staffing
- Property management
- Security
- Building maintenance
- Logistics and customer service
The presence of a Walmart Supercenter alone typically supports hundreds of permanent positions depending on store size and operational needs.
Increased Tax Revenue
Commercial developments of this scale generally contribute significant sales tax and property tax revenue to local governments.
Additional revenue can help fund public infrastructure, transportation improvements, parks, emergency services, and community projects as the surrounding population continues to expand.
Walmart’s Continued Arizona Expansion
Part of Broader Investment Strategy
Walmart’s participation in the Mesa development aligns with the company’s broader strategy of investing in new stores and modernizing existing locations across the United States.
The retailer has announced continued expansion through new store openings, remodels, and investments designed to improve customer convenience, online order fulfillment, and omnichannel shopping experiences.
Modern Walmart Supercenters increasingly integrate online grocery pickup, pharmacy services, fuel stations, and automotive care alongside traditional retail offerings.
Leasing Activity Signals Momentum
Additional Tenants Expected
With leasing now underway and Walmart serving as a major anchor, commercial real estate experts expect additional national retailers and local businesses to announce future commitments.
Large anchor tenants often accelerate leasing because they provide confidence to smaller retailers seeking locations with strong customer traffic.
Developers are expected to continue marketing remaining retail parcels as construction progresses.
What Comes Next for the SR-24 Auto Mall
Although construction will continue in phases, Walmart’s confirmed presence marks one of the project’s most significant developments to date.
As additional retailers, restaurants, and automotive dealerships finalize agreements, the SR-24 Auto Mall is expected to evolve into one of Mesa’s largest commercial destinations, serving both the rapidly growing southeast Mesa population and visitors traveling through the East Valley.
The combination of automotive sales, large-format retail, dining, services, and future residential development reflects the long-term vision of transforming the SR-24 corridor into a major regional shopping and business hub.
