Thompson Thrift Opens Grocery-Anchored Second Phase of Southbridge Marketplace Retail Development in Maricopa, Arizona

MARICOPA, Ariz. — Thompson Thrift, in partnership with Forest Creek Ventures, recently hosted an open house for Southbridge Marketplace, a community retail real estate development in Maricopa, Arizona. A Lowe's-anchored first phase is now open, while a grocery-anchored second phase led by Aldi is under construction and expected to open later this year, the firm announced May 14.

Retail Real Estate Development Targets Fast-Growing Phoenix Suburb

Located at the southeast corner of John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Southbridge Marketplace sits along Maricopa's primary retail corridor. The site benefits from traffic counts exceeding 46,000 vehicles per day, according to the developer.

The second phase has secured signed leases from Aldi, Panera Bread, European Wax Center, Club Pilates, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, She Nails, and Einstein Bros Bagels. Available space in the development includes inline shop units ranging from approximately 1,200 to 7,500 square feet, as well as a roughly 3,000-square-foot hard-corner, drive-thru-ready pad site available for ground lease or sale.

"The open house at Southbridge Marketplace is an exciting milestone for Thompson Thrift," said Dan Sink, President and Chief Financial Officer of Thompson Thrift Development. "With significant residential growth underway, and a clear need for additional retail and dining options, Southbridge Marketplace is well-positioned to serve the community and bring a vibrant mix of tenants closer to where people live and work."

Residential Pipeline Underpins Retail Demand

The retail real estate development is surrounded by a substantial residential pipeline. Approximately 600 apartment units are under construction directly east of the shopping center. Additionally, more than 40,000 residential units are permitted, under construction, or planned at Red River Ranch, a master-planned community immediately south of the site, according to the developer.

"We're excited to see Southbridge Marketplace bring new shopping and dining opportunities to the residents of Maricopa," said Nancy Smith, Mayor of Maricopa. "As our community continues to grow, developments like this help meet the needs of Maricopa's families, strengthen our local economy and make our city an even better place to live."

Open House Marks Construction Milestone for Real Estate Development

At the open house event, attendees received a behind-the-scenes look at the development, heard from the project team, and participated in a guided hard hat tour of the construction site. Visitors were also entered into a raffle for an Arizona Diamondbacks VIP package, including premium seats for two and food and beverage for an upcoming game against the New York Mets.

Thompson Thrift has invested more than $7.2 billion into local communities over the past 40 years, according to the firm. Operating from offices in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Denver, Houston, and Phoenix, Thompson Thrift is engaged in development, construction, leasing, and management of multifamily and commercial projects nationwide. The firm was recognized as a winner of a 2026 Top Workplaces USA award and was named to the National Multifamily Housing Council's 2026 Top Developers and Top Builders lists.

Forest Creek Ventures Brings Broad Commercial Real Estate Platform

Forest Creek Ventures, Thompson Thrift's development partner on the project, is a real estate investment, development, and consulting firm whose principals have collectively sourced, financed, acquired, and executed more than $20 billion in projects across the United States. The firm's portfolio spans retail, mixed-use, multifamily, industrial, and healthcare sectors.

Sources

Thompson Thrift – Southbridge Marketplace Open House Announcement (May 14, 2026)