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MESA, AZ-The Saia Family LP, a Tempe investment group affiliated with Integrated Real Estate Services, has added to its holdings in the Phoenix area with a 17-acre acquisition. The $2.8-million purchase has triggered planning for a mixed-use build-out.

The buyer, whose commercial portfolio includes Broadway Plaza and Southern Business Center, plans to develop retail and office space on the acreage, located near the southeast corner of Guadalupe and Power roads. According to James Harper, senior associate with the Phoenix office of Trammell Crow Co., the buyer obtained the land for an outstanding price. "There is a piece to the north that was selling for about $10 or $11 per sf and they're getting around $7.50 to $11 per sf to the south," says Harper who, with TCC's Mark Gustin, represented the buyer in the sale. "We stole that piece at about $3.75 per sf." John Finnegan with NAI Horizon's Phoenix office, representing Boyster Dairy LP of Mesa, had the land listed at $4 per sf or $2.96 million.

Because it was acquired for such a low price. Harper tells GlobeSt.com that the buyer will hold it for the time being instead of rushing to develop. Harper points out one potential plan is to dedicate three acres to retail and earmark the 14-acre balance for office condos and spec development of "for lease" space. "What we may even wind up doing is carving up a couple of lots, re-platting it and selling it," he adds.