Target Replaced Harkins Theatres in Laveen Development
Kitchell Development has updated plans for the Laveen Park Place retail project to feature a Target store.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Target has been named the new anchor tenant for the upcoming phase of the Laveen Park Place retail project in Phoenix. Developer Kitchell Development officially replaced the previously planned Harkins Theatres with the retail giant.
Why it matters
The change reflects shifting market conditions that necessitated a revision to the original city-approved site plan. This update pivots the development strategy away from cinema-based entertainment toward large-format retail.
The zoning modification replaces one previously designated movie theater anchor with a new Target location. This update marks a departure from the original site plan which included Harkins Theatres as a core tenant.
The players
Target
Target is a major American big-box department store chain serving as the new anchor tenant for the retail site.
Kitchell Development
Kitchell Development is a Phoenix-based real estate firm responsible for the management and site planning of Laveen Park Place.
Harkins Theatres
Harkins Theatres is a regional movie theater chain that was originally selected as the anchor tenant for the project.
The details
Kitchell Development submitted the site plan modification for Laveen Park Place, located near the Loop 202 Freeway and Baseline Road. The retail complex currently hosts Sprout's Farmers Market, T.J. Maxx, and Michaels, which remain open for local residents.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: The project modification was confirmed.
Market Landscape
This pivot reflects a broader industry trend where developers are increasingly abandoning planned entertainment anchors for retail tenants to better align with contemporary demand. The move signals a shift in the local competitive environment at Laveen Park Place, favoring traditional retail over cinema spaces.
Local shoppers near Laveen can expect the addition of a Target store to the existing retail mix at Laveen Park Place. The update effectively removes the planned movie theater from the site, changing the entertainment options available in the immediate neighborhood.
The takeaway
The replacement of a theater with a major retailer highlights the necessity for developers to remain flexible as local market needs evolve over time. Residents should adjust their expectations for the site as the retail-focused development replaces previously promised entertainment facilities.
Further reading
For more information on commercial real estate updates in the area, visit Phoenix Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTAR.
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Do you prefer having big-box retailers like Target as anchors in your local shopping centers?
