McCarthy Building Companies recently broke ground on a major renovation of a 12-acre learning and training campus that will include a hotel and conference center in Tempe, Ariz.

Dedicated to employee development and leadership training, the McCarthy Anchor Campus (2100 S. Priest Drive) will serve as a central hub for the firm’s more than 8,000 salaried and craft employees across the U.S. It will support professional development, technical training, and collaboration opportunities, the company says.

“As the construction industry continues to face workforce challenges across both salaried and craft positions, the campus reflects McCarthy’s commitment to investing in its people and creating the engagement, learning and career development opportunities that support long-term retention and business success,” according to a news release.

“This campus represents a significant investment in our people, bringing them together to learn, share expertise and build lasting connections,” says Ray Sedey, chairman and chief executive officer, McCarthy Building Companies. “This campus will create an immersive environment that strengthens our ownership culture and develops future leaders, which benefits our people, our clients, and the future of our business.”

McCarthy selected architectural firm SmithGroup to reimagine the existing campus that will maintain its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design. The renovated campus will feature flexible classrooms, breakout spaces, on-site lodging accommodations, wellness amenities and adaptable outdoor spaces designed to support learning, collaboration, and relationship building.

The campus, which was purchased by the firm in January, expands McCarthy’s broader workforce ecosystem, which includes its Innovation and Craft Workforce Center (ICWC) in nearby Chandler. While the ICWC provides hands-on training for skilled craft professionals and trade partners, the new campus in Tempe will serve as a learning hub for both salaried and craft employees.

McCarthy has also partnered with Pyramid Global Hospitality, a leading hospitality management company, to operate the campus and manage the guest experience under its PyramidWorks division. Designed for corporate, training, and learning environments, PyramidWorks applies hospitality principles to foster connection, engagement, and a strong sense of culture. 

On the project team:
Owner and/or developer: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Design architect: SmithGroup
Architect of record: SmithGroup
MEP engineer: SmithGroup
Structural engineer: PK Associates
General contractor/construction manager: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.