TEMPE, AZ — McCarthy Building Companies Inc. recently broke ground on the reimagination of a 12-acre learning and training campus that also includes a hotel and conference center in Tempe, Arizona, dedicated to employee development and leadership training. Set to open in early 2028, the McCarthy Anchor Campus will serve as a central hub for the firm’s more than 8,000 salaried and craft employees across the U.S., providing a place for professional development, technical training, and collaboration opportunities designed to support business growth and strengthen McCarthy’s employee-ownership culture.
The new campus expands McCarthy’s employee development programs by creating a dedicated environment for employees to grow professionally, learn from one another, and build connections across the organization. As the construction industry continues to face workforce challenges across both salaried and craft positions, the campus reflects McCarthy’s commitment to investing in its people and creating the engagement, learning, and career development opportunities that support long-term retention and business success.
“The construction industry has always been a people business, but the knowledge and leadership needed to deliver today's projects are evolving faster than ever as owners demand greater certainty,” said Ray Sedey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for McCarthy. “This campus represents a significant investment in our people, bringing them together to learn, share expertise, and build lasting connections. This campus will create an immersive environment that strengthens our ownership culture and develops future leaders, which benefits our people, our clients, and the future of our business.”
McCarthy selected integrated architectural firm SmithGroup to reimagine the existing campus that will maintain its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design. The renovated campus will feature flexible classrooms, breakout spaces, onsite lodging accommodations, wellness amenities, and adaptable outdoor spaces designed to support learning, collaboration, and relationship building.
"From the beginning, this project has been driven by a shared vision to create more than a training facility, but rather a place that inspires connection, collaboration, and growth,” said Dawn Brown, Principal and Senior Project Manager for SmithGroup. “Through our partnership with McCarthy, we're bringing that vision to life by creating a destination that reflects culture, fosters meaningful relationships, and supports the development of future leaders."
McCarthy has also partnered with Pyramid Global Hospitality, a leading hospitality management company, to operate the campus and manage the guest experience under its PyramidWorks division. Designed for corporate, training, and learning environments, PyramidWorks applies hospitality principles to foster connection, engagement, and a sense of culture.
The renovated campus, which was purchased by the firm in January, expands McCarthy’s broader workforce ecosystem nationally and within Arizona, which includes its Innovation and Craft Workforce Center (ICWC) in Chandler. While the ICWC provides hands-on training for skilled craft professionals and trade partners, the new campus in Tempe will serve as a learning hub for both salaried and craft employees.
