WEITZ: 35 YEARS IN ARIZONA
The roots of The Weitz Company stem from a small carpentry shop founded in 1855 by Charles H. Weitz, an entrepreneurial German immigrant in Des Moines, Iowa. Weitz opened its doors in Arizona in 1978. And 35 years later, it is still “Building in Good Company.”
BY KELLY BILLINGS
“Pack your bags team, we’re heading to Phoenix.” Weitz arrives in Phoenix to begin building Friendship Village of Tempe.
1978 1980 “Jumping in with both feet.” Weitz wins its first project in its new locale — Holiday Inn Metrocenter starts in June.
1985 “Go big or go home!” Weitz aims to become part of the Phoenix skyline with the start of Abacus Tower, a 16-story building in midtown Phoenix for client the Lee Company. Weitz went on to build four more Lee projects in the '80s. It begins construction on its second project with Westcor — a milestone project for the developer and a Tempe landmark — the Buttes Resort. Weitz now has 42 projects totaling more than $115M completed during its first five years in Arizona.
1996-99
1990 “On the grow.” Volume at the end of 1990 more than triples 1989’s $22M to $68M. Weitz finds itself in the middle of changing the local retail scene as it completes Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa.
“A new niche.” As retail continues to grow strong, Weitz sees an increase in the need for preconstruction services for both end user and developer-led office projects. By the end of the '90s and into the new millennium, Weitz finds another niche and becomes a leader in office projects. Late '90s projects include Amkor Technology, Hypercom, AT&T, and Squaw Peak Corporate Center. The last three years of the 90’s witness more than 25 office projects start.
1980 1988
“We like it here — let’s stay awhile.” A new location is established in Arizona as Weitz sets up a permanent office in the Valley to compete in the Arizona and Southwest construction market.
“Retail — from East to West and everything in between.” Arrowhead Towne Center Mall is completed in Glendale as Weitz goes becomes a leading retail contractor in the Valley with a portfolio that now includes Superstition Springs Center, Arrowhead Towne Center, Paradise Valley Mall, Metrocenter, Desert Sky and power centers in the Valley.
1981 “Pleased to meet you — we are The Weitz Company.” Starts its first project with Westcor, Hotel Westcourt (now the Four Points by Sheraton). Little did Weitz know this relationship would lead the company to more than 70 projects totaling $313M and more than 6 MSF.
52 | January-February 2013
1993
“Ready and willing to step out of our comfort zone.” Due to slowing in the private sector, Weitz steps into the public sector by successfully bidding the Arizona State Courts project for $24M. Weitz goes on to complete a total of $114M in public work in the late '80s and early '90s including the ASU West Campus, the Arizona Cardinals’ training facility in Tempe, Tempe Diablo Stadium and the Nogales border station.