Real Estate News: U-Haul Midtown Campus Expanding at Headquarters
U-Haul® broke ground on its multi-million dollar conference and fitness center on Tuesday, soon to be the showpiece of its Midtown Campus expansion in Phoenix. It was an early Christmas present for the hundreds of Team Members who gathered for the event.
The two-story, state-of-the-art facility will be stationed along Roanoke Avenue between Central Avenue and 3rd Street, just east of the U-Haul corporate towers. It is scheduled for completion by December 2020.
U-Haul has been headquartered at 2727 N. Central Ave. since 1967 and employs more than 4,000 Arizonans.
“We know that mobility is nobility, and we help families move every day,” stated Stuart Shoen, part of the third generation of Shoens to help lead U-Haul, during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“We also know family is about building roots. Our roots are firmly entrenched here in Phoenix. Since 1967 – that’s 52 years – the U-Haul Midtown Campus has served as our international headquarters. This is home, and we’re focused on keeping it that way with a major commitment here today.”
In addition to members of U-Haul leadership, Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor spoke to the crowd at the facility’s future site. Pastor addressed the topic of family culture, and how impressive it is for U-Haul to show dedication to its people through the campus addition.
U-Haul Chief of Staff Jessica Lopez, Wellness Program Manager Monique Wantland, Manager of Media and Public Relations Jeff Lockridge, and Director of Recruiting Latasha Causey also spoke at the groundbreaking.
Yoga, Spin, Weights, Hoops: Fitness Center has Features Galore
The convenience of a nearly 55,000-square-foot exercise complex on campus will make it easier for Team Members to keep their ambitious New Year’s resolutions.
It will house the U-Haul recruiting department; wellness program team; a medical clinic; conference area; professional development rooms; locker rooms on both levels; a full-size basketball court; a two-lane track; cardio and weightlifting equipment; a spin studio; yoga and group fitness rooms; sports leagues; personal training; and functional training.
Carhuff Cueva Architects, LLC is the architect. Chasse Building Team, a touted Tempe firm, is the general contractor for the project. U-Haul is partnering with Premise Health®, another renowned company, for its medical clinic.
The Dec. 10 event also coincided with a holiday version of the monthly Midtown Farmers Market hosted by U-Haul, with 20 local vendors serving lunch items and goods. There was a spirit shop, games, a photo area and more for Team Members to enjoy before and after the ceremony.
Healthier You Continues to Offer More Tools, Benefits
The U-Haul Healthier You (formerly Healthier U) program was employed in late 2015 to address Team Member wellness across four scopes: health, mindset, nutrition and fitness. The program has incorporated: gym and personal trainer reimbursements, nicotine cessation assistance, registered dietitian plans, health fairs, farmers markets, healthy meals and vending on campus, an online health portal, as well as U-Haul Active Day for group fitness events. In September, U-Haul also added the “You Matter” program to address the mental health of Team Members and their households.
Finally, the U-Haul Conference and Fitness Center is the most ambitious piece to the wellness puzzle thus far, while reaffirming the company’s desire to recruit the best and brightest Arizona professionals to stay in-state.