Vintage Partners Pivots from Data Center to Massive Mixed-Use Development in Laveen

Scottsdale developer Vintage Partners pivots from data center plans to a 63-acre mixed-use development in Phoenix’s Laveen village despite existing power infrastructure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 5:41 AM EST

Source: Bisnow

Strategic Site Reallocation in Laveen Village

The 63-acre site is located at the southwest corner of Lower Buckeye Road and Loop 202 within the Phoenix urban village of Laveen. Early site work had already commenced, and the property notably features high-capacity transmission lines and an on-site electric substation. While these assets are a "gold mine" for data center operators in a power-constrained market, Vintage Partners has determined that a mixed-use residential and commercial destination better serves the long-term needs and economic potential of the Laveen community.

The Rise of Mixed-Use Over Industrial Utility

The pivot highlights a growing trend in the "Silicon Desert" where developers are weighing the high-yield but low-employment nature of data centers against the community-building potential of mixed-use developments. By opting for a project that likely includes residential units, retail spaces, and perhaps office or hospitality components, Vintage Partners is betting on the continued population growth of Southwest Phoenix. This move aligns with broader city goals to increase housing density and walkable amenities near major transportation corridors like the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

Infrastructure as a Double-Edged Sword

One of the most intriguing aspects of this pivot is the existing power infrastructure. Data centers are often criticized for their immense strain on the local electrical grid while providing relatively few permanent jobs. By repurposing a site that is already "power-ready," Vintage Partners may be able to incorporate advanced sustainability features or high-tech commercial tenants into their mixed-use plan that other developers would struggle to support. However, it also means forgoing the immediate, high-margin leasing opportunities that a Tier III or Tier IV data center would have commanded from hyperscale cloud providers.