Southeast Mesa Keeps Growing: Gateway Crossing to Bring More Everyday Convenience Near Eastmark
Southeast Mesa has become one of Greater Phoenix’s fastest-evolving areas. Between master-planned communities like Eastmark and Cadence and the growth around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, this corner of the East Valley is steadily filling in.
Now there’s another project to watch: Gateway Crossing.
According to an October 14, 2026 report in the Phoenix Business Journal, developer Vestar is moving forward with this commercial development near Williams Field Road and State Route 24 (SR 24), with plans for big-box retail, restaurants and shops, and two hotels.
For current Southeast Mesa residents — and buyers considering Eastmark or Cadence — the real story is what this could mean for everyday convenience.
Where Is Gateway Crossing, and What’s Planned?
Gateway Crossing will sit on about 37 acres at the southwest corner of Williams Field Road and SR 24.
Current plans include:
- A roughly 166,000-square-foot big-box retail store with a fuel station
- About 27,950 square feet of additional retail space
- Two hotels: a Residence Inn by Marriott and a Home2 Suites by Hilton
The big-box store is the piece most neighbors are watching. Leasing materials list Sam’s Club as the planned anchor tenant, though its arrival hasn’t been officially confirmed.
Under the current timeline, construction is expected to begin in early 2028, though schedules can shift with approvals and building progress.
Is This the Same Project as Legacy Park?
No — but the two are right next to each other and come from the same developer, Vestar.
Legacy Park, which has drawn attention for a while, sits on the north side of Williams Field Road and spans nearly 200 acres. It’s the much bigger project: a mixed-use development combining housing, offices, shopping and dining, hotels, and recreation — including a large resort and a lake.
Gateway Crossing, on the south side of the road, is smaller and more focused on daily needs: groceries and household shopping, dining, and hotel rooms.
In short, Legacy Park is the large-scale mixed-use destination, while Gateway Crossing serves the everyday needs of nearby residents.
Both projects will take years to build out, but together they show where the Mesa Gateway Airport area is headed.
What Does It Mean for Eastmark and Cadence Residents?
For many buyers, everyday convenience ranks right alongside the home itself.
Eastmark and Cadence are two of Southeast Mesa’s most popular newer communities, with plenty of new homes, parks, and amenities. But as rooftops multiply, the question becomes whether shopping, dining, and services can keep up.
If Gateway Crossing is completed as planned, residents would be able to handle more of their everyday shopping closer to home instead of driving to commercial districts farther away.
That’s especially meaningful for families with kids, households that shop frequently, and buyers who put a premium on convenience.
The tradeoff: new retail also brings more traffic. Homes near major roads and commercial areas could feel that impact more than others.
So when buying in a growth area, look beyond the list of planned amenities — check how your home actually sits relative to the main roads and commercial parcels.
What It Means for Southeast Mesa Living
Suzy’s view: choosing a community for the long term isn’t just about the house. Shopping, transportation, schools, and everyday services matter just as much.
Gateway Crossing and Legacy Park point to a more complete lifestyle taking shape in Southeast Mesa. If they’re built as planned, Eastmark, Cadence, and nearby residents stand to gain real day-to-day convenience.
Of course, developments of this scale take time, and plans and timelines can change along the way.
Suzy will keep following Southeast Mesa’s growth and share the latest on new projects and local living.
