$7B TSMC, $1.2B VAI Resort, and $2M For Flying Cars (Gilbert Updates)

Gilbert, Arizona Weekly Update: Billion-Dollar Projects, Costco & TSMC, Flying Cars, and More (2025)

Welcome back to another Gilbert, Arizona update! This week brings a mix of massive development news, entertainment updates, tech surprises, and even a glimpse into what could be the future of transportation. From billion-dollar resorts and a Salt & Straw expansion to Costco joining the rapidly growing TSMC corridor and Arizona investing in flying cars, there’s a lot happening across the Valley.

Let’s get into it.

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VAI Resort Update: More Additions, Bigger Delays

Glendale's long anticipated VAI Resort continues to grow literally and financially. The resort has added even more design elements to its already sprawling concept, though its opening has now been pushed well into 2026.

What We Know So Far

• Estimated $1.2 billion total cost

• 1,100 rooms

• Restaurants, amphitheater, and a Mattel Adventure Park

• Roller coasters already taking shape along the freeway

• Positioned next to State Farm Stadium

This project is shaping up to be Arizona’s closest thing to a Vegas style resort, competing with heavy hitters like Talking Stick. While it’s all the way in Glendale, the opposite side of the Valley for us Gilbert folks, it will be a prime weekend destination once open.

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Salt & Straw Expands to Tempe’s Novus Place

Ice cream lovers, rejoice! Salt & Straw is officially opening its second Arizona location, this time in Tempe’s Novus Place, right next to the ASU football stadium and just south of Tempe Marketplace.

The first Arizona location opened in Agritopia (Gilbert) in July 2024, and the lines haven’t slowed since.

Why Novus Place Is Exploding

Novus Place is rapidly becoming a major dining and entertainment hub thanks to an impressive roster of restaurants and concepts:

• Eureka

• Over Easy

• The Alley

• Flower Child

• Blue Sushi Sake Grill

• Nautical Bowls

• Blanco

• North Italia

• Starbucks

• The Melt

• And more on the way

Salt & Straw’s wild flavors, think olive oil, pear and blue cheese, or sea salt with caramel ribbons are worth the hype. When the Tempe location opens, expect lines out the door.

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Will.i.am Joins ASU Faculty to Teach Artificial Intelligence

Yes, you read that right.

Rapper, entrepreneur, and Black Eyed Peas founding member Will.i.am is joining ASU to teach a new AI course called “Agentic Self.”

Course Details

• Offered by ASU’s Games, Arts, Media, and Engineering (GAME) school

• Students will attend in person and remotely

• Curriculum developed in partnership with Will.i.am’s Hollywood studio

• Focus on personalized AI agents and hands-on development

It’s unexpected, but Will.i.am actually has over a decade of AI and tech development experience, making this a surprisingly perfect match. Random? Yes. Interesting? Absolutely.

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Top 100 Taco Spots 2025: Arizona Barely Makes the List

You’d assume Arizona bordering Mexico and rich in taco culture would crush the national list of top taco spots. But the 2025 rankings told a different story.

Arizona’s Rankings

Out of 100:

• #6 – Jalapeños Sonora Grill (Glendale)

• #26 – Eric’s Tacos and More (Arcadia)

• #88 – Taco Viva (Phoenix)

• #94 – Baja Tacos (El Mirage)

Only four spots total. Just one in the top 25. Meanwhile states like Georgia, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York outranked us in multiple entries.

Surprising? Very. Controversial? Absolutely. Let the taco debates begin.

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Suns Arena Renamed: Welcome to the Mortgage Matchup Center

After the end of the previous naming rights deal, the Phoenix Suns arena is getting yet another new name:

New Name:

Mortgage Matchup Center

Deal Details

• $115 million

• 10-year agreement

Most locals still call it Talking Stick, and that probably won’t change anytime soon. Still, the new signage is already going up, especially as the WNBA Finals bring additional attention to the arena.

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TSMC Phoenix Expansion: Costco & Marriott Join a Massive New Development

One of the biggest stories of the week: Costco and Marriott have officially signed on as the first major users of a huge 2,300-acre development surrounding the TSMC campus in North Phoenix.

This is being positioned as a true “city within a city.”

Project Overview

• $7 billion full buildout

• 30 million sq. ft. of mixed-use space

• 9,000 residential units

• Planned tech, retail, office, industrial, research, and healthcare zones

• Two Marriott hotels (Courtyard + Residence Inn)

• Large auto mall coming to the site

This type of development typically brings double the expected job count, thanks to construction, support industries, management, and onsite staff. Like Huntsville’s major auto plant years ago, home prices surrounding TSMC could see significant appreciation.

If you're looking at real estate investment, this is a region to watch closely.

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Arizona Invests $2 Million Into Flying Car Research

It sounds like science fiction, but Arizona is officially investing in flying car technology.

Why Arizona?

The state has already been a leader in transportation innovation:

• Waymo driverless cars launched here in 2018

• Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale residents now ride autonomous vehicles like it’s no big deal

Flying cars may not be as far-fetched as they once seemed.

Key Details

• Championed by Senator David Farnsworth

• Goal: Make Arizona the national hub for future flying car manufacturing

• Potential uses include emergency response, drone delivery, rural access, and air taxi services

• Capabilities could reach 36,000 ft altitude and speeds up to 300 mph, though regulations are still unknown

Whether they hover, fly low, or become true air-vehicles is still unclear but the future is closer than many people think.

And yes, on record as of October 3, 2025: flying cars within five years? Maybe.

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Final Thoughts

That wraps this week’s Gilbert, Arizona update! From billion-dollar projects and futuristic tech to restaurant openings and real-estate-changing developments, the region continues to grow at a staggering pace

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For a full video guide, make sure to check out my YouTube Video Here

And if you are looking to buy or sell in Arizona, we would love to earn your business! 

Cole@whitelabelaz.com or text us directly at 602-350-5624

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