Home furnishing retail giant Williams-Sonoma Inc. has leased 1.2MSF at The Cubes at Glendale, according to a recent article in Phoenix Business Journal to multiple sources.
The article speculates, however, the company may have much larger plans.
Business Journal’s research shows that in February a company described as a Fortune 500 retailer with “a very recognizable name” was looking for 200-250 acres in Buckeye to develop a 3MSF light manufacturing and distribution space. The effort, codenamed “Project Jaguar,” was to be built in three phases lasting through August 2026.
While Buckeye’s public records did not identify the parties, the article cites its sources as saying the company is Williams-Sonoma and that it chose to relocate the project to Glendale rather than Buckeye.
Glendale refused to fulfill the Business Journal’s public records request and claimed the Arizona Commerce Authority had determined disclosing documents could harm the state’s chances to secure an economic development project.
According to the records received from Buckeye, the company wants to relocate manufacturing processes from Tennessee and California. Williams-Sonoma currently has manufacturing operations in 12 states, including the two named.
The article claims the company had looked at five sites in Arizona and also considered Salt Lake City and Reno. The 214 acres that were considered in Buckeye eventually went to KORE Power.
In addition to its retail stores, Williams-Sonoma has become a significant e-commerce business, according to its annual report, which claims the channel is its fastest-growing segment. (Source)
