Scottsdale isn’t just the “West’s Most Western Town” anymore; it’s also one of the West’s most innovative, thanks to SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. A collaborative effort between Arizona State University Foundation and the City of Scottsdale, the 42-acre mixed-use development houses more than 50 companies, ranging from global brands such as Oracle to one-person startups.

The city estimates SkySong’s tenants support 9,350 jobs paying a combined $584.4 million in wages. Additionally, they generate $1.3 billion in economic activity annually for the city. That amount translates to an anticipated economic impact of at least $58.2 billion over the next 30 years.

According to Sharon Harper, chairman and CEO, Plaza Compa nies, the commercial real estate company behind SkySong, the project offers a good example of how a city, university and private companies can have a positive impact on an entire region. Its partnership with ASU helps, too.

SkySong evolved out of Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow’s vision to create a “New American University” that served the community surrounding it through research and technological advances as well as by creating an educated workforce. As part of the plan, the university needed a research hub that could attract high-tech companies. However, it didn’t have space for that hub on the university’s main campus in Tempe.

© Caesars Republic Scottsdale

Enter Scottsdale. Since 1947, when Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce formed, Scottsdale’s economy had grown to depend on tourism dollars generated by resorts, restaurants and events, such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open. But by the early 2000s, city leaders recognized they needed to diversify and saw an opportunity when the ASU Foundation purchased the site of the demolished Los Arcos Mall to turn it into SkySong.

Named for the iconic shade structure at its center, SkySong today consists of six office buildings, two parking garages, several restaurants, a hotel (Element Scottsdale at SkySong) and an apartment complex with 325 residential units. Its list of tenants reads like a list of who’s-who of powerhouse companies and includes Canon, Workiva, Keyence, Banner Health, Ticketmaster, Atom, Ecolab and Dell. Defense contractor Raytheon recently signed a lease that will bring 150 professional jobs — 95 percent of which will be new Raytheon employees — to Scottsdale.

The relocation not only strengthens its relationship with ASU but gives it the opportunity to hire top talent from the university’s pool of 98,000 students. In a video about SkySong, ASU’s Crow stated the development is more than just a research and technology hub. “It’s a place where people gather, people come together — people from all over the Valley, all over Arizona, all over the country, all over the world — come here and talk and generate ideas and make things happen,” he said.

OneOrigin proves a good example. The company, specializing in advanced AI solutions, moved into SkySong in 2022 with 90 employees and quickly forged a relationship with ASU to use AI for educational purposes. Within two years, OneOrigin grew to 150 employees and extended its global reach by opening offices in the Middle East and India.

Goldfield Ghost Town © Iprintezis | Dreamstime.com

For the city of Scottsdale, the benefit hits much closer to home. The 2021 SkySong Economic Impact Summary Report indicates, in addition to thousands of high-paying jobs, SkySong will give the city a $362.3 million boost to its economy over the next 30 years. Already it has had a significant impact on the surrounding community.

Following SkySong’s initial success, the area saw the addition of nearly 900 new residential units, and home prices appreciated at a higher rate than others in Scottsdale and Maricopa County. New restaurants popped up in the area, and the new Springhill Suites by Marriott Scottsdale touts its proximity to SkySong.

While SkySong has made a significant impact on Scottsdale’s economy, tourism remains strong. Several major hotels opened in the last few years, including the 265-room Caesars Republic Scottsdale. Additionally, existing resorts such as Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch all completed renovations in 2024.

And that’s good for SkySong. Business travelers have more hotels and upgraded accommodations to choose from when they come for meetings at SkySong. In turn, business travelers spend money during their stay and may even decide to return on vacation at a later date, which bolsters tourism. At the same time, the innovative work conducted by SkySong businesses draws attention to ASU. It’s a win-win for all involved.

SCENIC DRIVES
You can see some of Arizona’s best scenery on a drive from Scottsdale. Just 30 minutes from SkySong, the Apache Trail starts in Apache Junction and passes Goldfield Ghost Town, a reconstructed 1890s mining town, and Lost Dutchman State Park before winding along Canyon Lake, through the tiny community of Tortilla Flat and over Fish Creek Hill to Roosevelt Dam. From the dam, continue to Globe on SR 188 or turn around and appreciate the trail a second time on the way back. For rugged beauty, head north to Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179) just off I-17. Since it’s only 7.5 miles long, you can drive it quickly, taking in the red rock formations surrounding Sedona, or you can set aside a full day to hike, experience vortexes (pockets of energy) at Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, and shop at local galleries in Oak Creek Village. You can also continue on SR 179 to Sedona to explore the boutiques of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and along Main Street (SR 89A). Continue north on SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon and navigate the switchbacks for a spectacular view of the forest and red rocks below.