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New leases by Western Retail Advisors bring multiple new tenants to popular corridor
Gilbert, AZ (RestaurantNews.com) Phoenix-based retail brokerage specialist Western Retail Advisors today announced multiple new tenant commitments at Northside at SanTan Village, the high-end retail and restaurant component of Okland Capital and San Tan Development Group’s Northside mixed-use development in Gilbert, Arizona.
Delivered to market this year within the sought-after San Tan Village Corridor, the six-building Northside at SanTan Village is approaching full occupancy, with a host of new leases that leave just two units available. The latest tenant commitments include:
- Roka Akor, a contemporary Japanese restaurant bringing the authentic Japanese robata grilling experience to the Southeast Valley via a 4,336-square-foot restaurant and 1,000-square-foot patio, for its second Arizona location.
- Sandbox VR, an immersive virtual reality experience entering Arizona with a 4,300-square-foot lease.
- Aria Nail Bar, a luxury nail salon leasing 2,625 square feet for its fifth Arizona location.
Named a Top 10 Sushi Spot in the U.S. by Bon Appétit, Roka Akor specializes in contemporary Japanese offerings including robata steak, seafood and sushi. Originated in London, the restaurant operates five locations nationwide, including a flagship Arizona restaurant in Scottsdale’s McCormick Ranch community.
“In Japanese, Roka means gathering around the fire, and that is exactly what Northside was built for,” said Dario Dell’Anno, Chief Operating Officer of Roka Akor. “We were immediately drawn to the energy of this development and the way its shared spaces and caliber of brands come together to create a truly unique experience. Our Gilbert location will bring everything that has defined our Scottsdale flagship for 18 years into easy reach of the Southeast Valley – a community that has proven its love of great food enjoyed in great settings. Growth only works for us if every new Roka feels like Roka. We’re grateful to have found that at Northside, and we are extremely excited to opening our second Arizona location here.”
Roka Akor is slated to open at Northside at SanTan Village by mid-2027. Aria Nail Bar will join the project in the spring of 2027
Sandbox VR is now open and has quickly established itself as a destination draw. It joins a strong existing lineup of Northside at SanTan Village restaurants and retailers, including project anchor Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, which entered the Arizona market in mid-2026 with an 11,000-square-foot restaurant. Rounding out the tenant mix are the fourth Arizona locations for The Workshop Pilates, The NOW Massage and Face Foundrié, and the second Arizona location for The Milkshake Factory.
Northside at SanTan Village totals 37,894 square feet, with shared outdoor spaces designed for guests to gather, relax and connect organically and through programmed year-round events and entertainment. It sits on the east side of Santan Village Parkway, fronting the Loop 202 freeway between Williams Field and Ray roads.
“Gilbert continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Arizona, with an increasing demand for more upscale and unique dining and entertainment options,” said Okland Capital’s Managing Partner, Blake Bunker. “We were very intentional about designing Northside around where we believe the community is headed. The goal was to create a place where people want to spend time, connect with each other and enjoy being part of the community. It’s exciting to see that vision starting to take shape. At full buildout, Northside will become an even more active and engaging destination – a place for the community and visitors to gather and spend time with friends and family.”
Northside at SanTan Village has two retail spaces remaining for lease – a 2,832-square-foot unit fronting San Tan Village Parkway on the northwest corner of the center and a 1,487-square-foot unit on the northeast corner of the center. Both units include patio space and border a future 134-key hotel.
Bryan Babits and Alberto Caballero of Western Retail Advisors serve as the project’s exclusive leasing brokers. Audra Travis of mhg Commercial Real Estate represented Roka Akor in its lease. Cole Schillne of Orion Investment Real Estate represented Sandbox VR and Danielle Davis of LevRose Commercial Real Estate represented Aria Nail Bar.
“Northside has attracted highly credible, in-demand brands, and its two remaining spaces are a great opportunity for future tenants to share in that success,” said Caballero. “Both availabilities include patios, making them ideal for a fast-casual breakfast or lunch concept. Northside’s daytime foot traffic and the surrounding workforce population continue to grow. Add in the hotel planned immediately to the north, and you have a large built-in customer base ready to be served.”
At buildout, the Northside master plan will span 20 acres of restaurant, retail, hotel and mixed-use assets. The project is anchored by a shared paseo, offering community spaces and a walking loop that provide added amenities for all patrons. It also fronts the Loop 202 freeway, creating easy access to more than 274,000 residents within a 5-mile radius and over 1 million residents within a 10-mile radius.
For more information on retail and restaurant space at Northside at SanTan Village, contact Babits or Caballero at 602.778.3747.
About Western Retail Advisors
Western Retail Advisors (WRA) is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in the retail market. Based in Arizona and California, the firm provides master broker services, tenant representation, landlord representation and investment sales, combining decades of retail experience with up-to-the-minute market intelligence to help clients analyze and predict market trends, identify favorable locations and manage successful transactions. With local, regional and national market experience, WRA serves top retailers and Fortune 500 clients in more than 30 states nationwide. For more information, visit W-Retail.com.
Media Contact:
Stacey Hershauer
focus AZ
Stacey@focusaz.com
480-600-0195