City of Mesa Plans $300M, 288K SF Natural History Museum Mixed-Use Redevelopment

The City of Mesa has initiated the planning phase for a $300M redevelopment of the Arizona Natural History Museum, allocating $6M over the next two years for site design, architectural planning, and fundraising strategy. The current 66K SF structure is slated for demolition to make way for a larger, 118K SF museum facility, which will serve as the centerpiece of a 288K SF mixed-use project.

The overall development concept features a new four-level museum building equipped with a rooftop observatory and restaurant, supplemented by 100K SF of hotel space and 70K SF of retail and dining amenities. Designed by Jones Studio, the new complex is intended to boost tourism and private investment in downtown Mesa, with capacity projections aiming for up to 630,000 annual visitors. Financing for the project is expected to rely on a public-private partnership, utilizing city bond funds alongside private investment and charitable donations.