Virgin Galactic Lands at Mesa Gateway
A New Chapter in the East Valley’s Tech and Housing Landscape
Virgin Galactic’s decision to establish its Delta-class spacecraft assembly facility in Mesa is the latest signal that the East Valley is fast becoming one of the nation’s most important centers for technology, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.
The company recently completed a 140,000-square-foot facility at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, designed for the final assembly of its next-generation commercial space vehicles. Assembly begins in 2025, with commercial operations expected in 2026.
This isn’t just a win for aerospace—it’s a defining moment in the East Valley’s ongoing transformation.
A Regional Hub for Advanced Industry
Virgin Galactic joins a growing roster of companies helping to redefine the East Valley’s economic identity. The region is no longer just a collection of suburban communities—it’s a high-growth industrial corridor, home to:
Intel’s multibillion-dollar semiconductor expansion in Chandler
Meta’s 960,000-square-foot data center campus in Mesa
Major electric vehicle and battery supply chain activity, with new facilities in and around Queen Creek and southeast Mesa
ASU’s Polytechnic Campus, training the next generation of engineers, technicians, and advanced manufacturing professionals
Virgin Galactic’s facility, located just minutes from ASU Poly and served by Gateway Airport’s growing infrastructure, fits naturally into this landscape. It reinforces the East Valley’s appeal to industries that require precision manufacturing, complex logistics, and a highly educated workforce.
L-R: Intel’s Chandler fabrication plant, ASU’s new Polytechnic Campus in Mesa, Meta’s 960,000 square foot data center in Mesa.
Economic Impact: Skilled Jobs and Local Momentum
Virgin Galactic expects to hire several hundred people in the Mesa area for roles in engineering, manufacturing, planning, and operations. Already, job postings for Production Planners, Structures Technicians, and Materials Handlers are appearing.
But the impact doesn’t stop there. These jobs will spur additional employment across the supply chain—from subcontractors and logistics firms to service providers and vendors. Partners like Bell Textron and Qarbon Aerospace will play a direct role in supporting production, creating further demand for skilled labor in the region.
Public agencies, including the City of Mesa and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, have supported this momentum by aligning infrastructure and workforce development with the needs of incoming high-tech employers.
Real Estate Implications: A Stronger Market in Key Corridors
Economic growth on this scale has clear implications for the housing market, particularly in southeast Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert:
Increased demand for housing near the airport employment corridor
Greater competition for homes in the $400,000–$600,000 range—often the sweet spot for engineers, technicians, and young professionals relocating for work
Growth in rental demand as workers move into the area or contractors seek mid-term housing during project phases
This is especially true for neighborhoods with easy access to the Loop 202, US 60, and Gateway Airport. Builders are already responding with new developments in east Mesa, and demand is likely to accelerate in the next 12–24 months.
A Sustainable Growth Trajectory
One of the most promising aspects of this shift is its foundation. Unlike speculative booms of the past, today’s growth is built on long-term industrial investment. Companies like Intel, Meta, and Virgin Galactic are building with 10-, 20-, and 30-year horizons in mind. That translates to stable, high-wage employment, infrastructure investment, and continued diversification of the local economy.
Virgin Galactic’s move to Mesa reinforces what many already see taking shape: the East Valley is becoming a regional powerhouse for high-tech industry and innovation. That growth is creating not just jobs, but meaningful, long-term shifts in the local real estate market.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the next 12 months, let’s talk about how this shift in the East Valley economy could impact your timing and strategy. I’m ready to speak when you are.