TUCSON, AZ (April 15, 2026) — Lion Energy has announced a strategic partnership with American Battery Factory, taking an equity position in the company and linking the deal to battery cell production planned for ABF’s Tucson gigafactory in Pima County. Lion said the partnership is aligned with ABF’s recently announced offtake agreements tied to the Tucson plant, which the companies say now account for more than 4.5 gigawatt-hours of initial production capacity.

The announcement adds another commercial signal around the long-discussed Tucson battery project, which ABF broke ground on in October 2023. At that time, the company said the Tucson facility would be a two-million-square-foot lithium iron phosphate battery cell gigafactory, serve as its global headquarters, and generate more than 1,000 jobs, with an estimated $1.2 billion in capital investment.

ABF’s Tucson project is planned within Pima County’s Aerospace Research Campus, south of Tucson International Airport and near Raytheon. Pima County describes the campus as a large-scale industrial property intended to support aerospace, supply chain, manufacturing, and export-oriented users.

In its April 8 announcement, Lion said the partnership is intended to strengthen its access to U.S.-made prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells for residential, commercial, and industrial energy storage systems. The company also said new U.S. battery assembly lines are scheduled to come online in June, positioning Lion to integrate domestic cell supply as ABF’s production comes online.

For Tucson, the significance lies less in a finished factory than in continued market validation. While the plant remains a planned project, Lion’s investment and supply alignment suggest ABF is continuing to build commercial relationships around its Arizona manufacturing strategy. That matters in a region that has been pushing to expand its advanced manufacturing and energy-storage footprint.

If completed as envisioned, the project would further position the Tucson area within the domestic battery supply chain at a time when manufacturers and energy-storage companies are increasingly emphasizing U.S.-based production, domestic content, and supply-chain security.

TUCSON, AZ (April 14, 2026) — Three recent Central Tucson property sales are offering a timely reminder that the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase supports more than hotels, restaurants, and seasonal retail traffic. It also creates a distinct layer of commercial real estate demand, particularly for older but functional retail and industrial properties that can serve showroom, storage, logistics, and expansion needs tied to one of Tucson’s most internationally recognized winter industries.

The most recent example came at 1500 and 1508 N. Oracle Road, where ABT World of Crystals LLC purchased a two-building retail property for $925,000 in a cash sale that closed February 13, 2026. The property totals 2,963 square feet on 0.37 acres, equating to approximately $312.18 per square foot. Sold by Levels Auto Sales LLC, the site includes showroom and office space, covered parking, a fenced lot, and a monument sign. Built in 1963 and zoned C-3, the property offers the kind of visibility and flexibility that can be difficult to find on smaller infill parcels along older commercial corridors. ABT World of Crystals purchased the site to expand its existing fossil and mineral store at 1635-1645 N. Oracle Road, a long-term owner-user commitment rather than a passive investment for the buyer.

A few weeks earlier, a former Arts for All property at 2520 N. Oracle Road sold on January 16, 2026, for $850,000, or about $97 per square foot. The 8,758-square-foot retail building sits on 1.1 acres and was sold by JCC-AFA Land LLC, care of the Tucson Jewish Community Center, to Alec Day of Ogden, Utah. The buyer is associated with the Tucson Gem Show and acquired the building for gem show-related functions. The property features that make it useful beyond traditional storefront retail include ample parking, a covered outdoor area, and solar panels. Allan Mendelsberg and Kameron Norwood of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR represented the seller, while Michael Coretz of Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson represented the buyer.

The pattern continued at 1401 N. Bailey Lane, where a 12,068-square-foot industrial building sold on January 30, 2026, for $1,450,000, or roughly $120 per square foot. The building, constructed in 1984 on 0.96 acres, was sold by BFS Real Property LLC of Tucson to Geoworld Inc. Geoworld also owns 1635 N. Oracle Road, home to The Co-op: Mineral & Fossil Galleries, a year-round gallery and winter show venue in Tucson’s Mineral & Fossil District. While the intended use of the Bailey Lane acquisition was not publicly detailed beyond gem show-related operations, the building’s layout points to a practical purpose. Its office area, two grade-level roll-up doors, and a fenced-and-gated yard create a setup well-suited for receiving, packing, secure storage, and short-term staging during peak season. Waco Starr and Veronica Vondrak of Long Realty Company represented both sides of the sale.

Taken together, the three acquisitions show how gem show demand continues to shape buying activity in Central Tucson, especially along the North Oracle corridor and nearby industrial pockets. These are not trophy properties, but that is part of the point. For gem show operators, mineral dealers, and affiliated businesses, polished finishes often matter less than location, access, yard space, parking, loading capability, and the ability to adapt a building to seasonal intensity while maintaining year-round use.

The timing also stands out. This year’s calendar again packed major events into a concentrated window. JOGS Tucson ran from January 28 to February 8, 2026. AGTA GemFair Tucson was held from February 2 to February 6, 2026. The Kino Gem & Mineral Show ran from January 29 to February 15, 2026. Add in the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show itself and dozens of satellite venues spread across the metro area, and the need for back-of-house space becomes easier to understand.

The Gem Show is not simply a collection of public marketplaces. It is a temporary commercial ecosystem that requires substantial physical infrastructure to function efficiently. In that context, Central Tucson’s older retail and industrial inventory continues to offer something valuable: practical space in strategic locations at a basis that can still make sense for owner-users and specialized operators tied to Tucson’s signature winter trade.

TUCSON, AZ (April 13, 2026) — A total of 29,575 square feet of leases were reported this week, led by 11,271 square feet in office transactions, 11,242 square feet in industrial deals, and 7,062 square feet in retail activity. The top office lease was CliftonLarsonAllen LLP’s 8,836-square-foot renewal at Williams Centre, the largest industrial transaction was Delta Zee Solutions, LLC’s 4,800-square-foot renewal at Broadbent Business Center, and the largest retail deal was Casa Pilates’ 2,622-square-foot lease at Campbell Shops.

The following leases were reported to the Real Estate Daily News for the week of April 6–12, 2026.

NEW LEASES
RETAIL – 2524 N. CAMPBELL AVE., TUCSON, AZ, 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Casa Pilates has leased 2,622 square feet of retail space at Campbell Shops, 2524 N. Campbell Ave. in Tucson, from LCP Campbell Shops, LLC. Aaron LaPrise and Dave Hammack, Principals, Retail Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, handled the transaction.

OFFICE – 2230 E. SPEEDWAY BLVD., #120, TUCSON, AZ 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Relationship Renovation, PLLC has leased 2,435 square feet at 2230 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 120 in Tucson. Batoun Herrington, CCIM, with Branel Real Estate Company, represented the landlord and Jeff Casper of CBRE represented the tenant.

RETAIL – THE AVE, CAMPBELL AVENUE, TUCSON, AZ, 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Reformed Pilates has leased 1,938 square feet at The Ave, the new development project on Campbell Avenue in Tucson. The tenant joins Shake Shack and Paris Baguette at the project. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR, of Larsen Baker represented the landlord and Marti Weinstein with Diversified Partners represented the tenant.

INDUSTRIAL – 3240 S. DODGE BLVD., #8, TUCSON, AZ, 85713 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
Streamline Welding LLC has leased 1,400 square feet of industrial space at South Dodge Business Center, 3240 S. Dodge Blvd., Suite 8, in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

RETAIL – 4811 E. GRANT RD., #155-B, TUCSON, AZ, 85712 – NORTHEAST SUBMARKET
Farmer’s Insurance has leased 1,302 square feet of retail shop space at Crossroads Festival, 4811 E. Grant Rd., Suite 155-B in Tucson. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR, represented the landlord and handled the transaction.

RETAIL – 1355 W. DUVAL MINE RD., #131, GREEN VALLEY, AZ, 85614 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
Miracle Ear Hearing Aid Center has leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at Sahuarita Palms Plaza, 1355 W. Duval Mine Rd., Suite 131, in Green Valley, from AJ Safeway Park LLC. Dave Hammack and Aaron LaPrise, Principals, and Sam Ramirez, Retail Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, handled the transaction.

INDUSTRIAL – 4913 E. 29TH ST., TUCSON, AZ, 85711 – EAST SUBMARKET
Jesus Good News to All Nations Church, Inc. has leased 1,200 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 4913 E. 29th St. in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

RENEWALS

OFFICE – 5255 E. WILLIAMS CIRCLE, #5000, TUCSON, AZ, 85711 – EAST SUBMARKET
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP renewed its office lease for 8,836 square feet at Williams Centre, 5255 E. Williams Circle, Suite 5000 in Tucson, with WCCP Rosemont, LLC, RPI Williams Circle, LLC, and PEA Williams Circle, LLC. Richard M. Kleiner, MBA, Principal, and Alexis Corona, Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, and Jonathan LaRue and Tyler Cameron with Savills Inc., represented the tenant. Philip Skillings of NAI Horizon in Tucson represented the landlord.

INDUSTRIAL – 2045 N. FORBES BLVD., #106, TUCSON, AZ, 85745 – WEST SUBMARKET
Delta Zee Solutions, LLC renewed its lease for 4,800 square feet of industrial space at Broadbent Business Center, 2045 N. Forbes Blvd., Suite 106 in Tucson, with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

INDUSTRIAL – 1870 W. PRINCE RD., #12, TUCSON, AZ, 85705 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Vertex Painting, LLC renewed its lease for 1,440 square feet of industrial space at Exchange Place, 1870 W. Prince Rd., Suite 12 in Tucson, with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

INDUSTRIAL – 1870 W. PRINCE RD., # 6, TUCSON, AZ, 85705 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
AAAA Driving School Corporation renewed its lease for 1,440 square feet of industrial space at Exchange Place, 1870 W. Prince Rd., Suite 6 in Tucson, with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

INDUSTRIAL – 2430 W. RUTHRAUFF RD., #110, TUCSON, AZ, 85705 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Scavo Services renewed its lease for 680 square feet of industrial space at Ruthrauff Commerce Center, 2430 W. Ruthrauff Rd., Suite 110 in Tucson, with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

INDUSTRIAL – 2410 W. RUTHRAUFF RD., #110, TUCSON, AZ, 85705 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Red Sky Roofing LLC renewed and expanded its lease for 282 square feet of industrial space at Ruthrauff Commerce Center, 2410 W. Ruthrauff Rd., Suite 110 in Tucson, with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

Submit sales and leases to [email protected].