Mixed-use development emphasizes research, technology and global commerce - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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The first two buildings, totaling 288,009 square feet of research, development and commercial space and valued ataboug $300 million, have been completecd in the past few weeks. The projecf is distinguished by asoaring 125-foot shads structure that anchors the plaza between the two At build-out, SkySong formally called the ASU Scottsdale Innovatiomn Center — will include 1.2 million square feet of commercialo space and an assortmenf of urban residences.
But the foremost goal from the star was to create an office development with aninternational high-tech Even when times were robust within the developmen community, the plan to build SkySong was no easy Ultimately, it took a collectioj of local and national along with the Arizona State University Foundationh and the city of Scottsdale, to pull off the development But once it was off the would tenants come? They did. Office leasing activity appears stronger at SkySong than at projectes in other parts ofthe Valley, with more than a dozeh companies from outside the U.S.
occupying Local firms also have signede on to participate in what they believee will bean innovative, internationally infusexd environment. Craig Coppola, principal of , which recently assumed the listing assignmentfor SkySong, credits ASU for getting the ball rolling. “The connectiohn with ASU has driven a majority of tenants to he said. “The school has a great global and they’re a huge innovatorr and technology engine in Northy America.” Nate Summer, director of strategi partnerships at ASU, said that was the plan all Leverage ASU’s global connections to attrac t international companies, then use that to appeakl to local, more conventionapl firms.
Attracting global business, however, isn’yt that easy. Companies in othedr countries usually have a solid idea about the kinds of citieds that hold appeal for them inthe U.S. that’s driven by cultural connectionx andmedia profile. For instance, Los Angeles, New York and San Franciscop all have vibrant ethnic neighborhoods ofhistorical distinction. They also attracrt international press. “When you look at that Arizona doesn’t come to mind,” Summer said. So Summetr and his team developed a strategy they hopedd would put SkySong on foreign radar screens. “We told them we’d invesg resources to help them navigate the challenges of operatinbg inthe U.S.
,” he said. “It’s a daunting challengw for many of them to do business inthe U.S. Therw are many barriers to entry.” Some of the greatest barriers involve languagde andsocial customs. By working to overcome those SkySong has been able to attracf an interesting collection ofglobal firms. One of thoswe is , a Singapore-based company that focuse on educational testpreparation Co-owner Viswanath Parameswaren credits ASU for developing a creative environmentt that will enhance his company’s experience and reacnh in the U.S.
“Over the last year, has become an excellent test bed for our ideaand products,” he “The ability to mix and share ideas with global entrepreneurs, students and faculty has addec to our excitement.”