"We liked the growth that is going on here," says Singerman, whose office is located at 2375 E. Camelback Rd. "In a bad year, about 75,000 to 80,000 people move here. The basic fundamentals are arguably one of the best in the country in terms of cost of living, quality of living and the business environment. It made a lot of sense for Rockefeller to be here." Until now, the New York City-based Rockefeller Group has its Irvine, CA team overseeing Arizona projects.

The next groundbreaking most likely will be in Tucson on the 22-acre Rockefeller Group Distribution Center near interstates 19 and 10. Singerman says requests for proposals have been sent out for the first phase, a 113,000-sf structure with a 30-foot clear height. He's anticipating construction will start later this year.

The developer also has launched construction on a 70,000-sf building for the 24-acre Chandler Corporate Office Center at McClintock Drive and Desert Breeze Boulevard. The building, also speculative, should deliver in late first quarter 2009.

Also in the planning stage is the 80-acre Chandler Crossroads. "All of the entitlements are done at Chandler Crossroads on Ray Road, but we're waiting for the market to firm up," Singerman says. He tells GlobeSt.com that, with Chandler running low on land availability for large users, Rockefeller Group is holding about 40 acres of the property for a large user. "We're working hand-in-hand with the City of Chandler as well as Colliers to find a large user," he adds.

Also entitled is the 468,000-sf 101 Chandler at 2919 W. Chandler Blvd., but Singerman says the city wants Rockefeller Group to make the 22-acre site denser. "We're working to make that a 700,000-sf to one-million-sf site, and hopefully add a hotel component to it," he says.

Other projects are the Rockefeller Group Commerce Center at Gilbert and Queen Creek roads in Chandler and two as yet-unnamed projects in Gilbert at Warner and Recker roads and Germann and Mustang roads. Leasing on all Rockefeller Group projects are being by Colliers International's Phoenix team.

Despite the brisk development roster, Singerman acknowledges the company is looking for more land. He says Rockefeller Group is eyeing some opportunities, but nothing is far enough along to discuss. "Our eye is on the ball on the six projects we already have and we're pushing them forward," he says.