THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

November 17, 2005

JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

Author: Luci Scott, The Arizona Republic

Edition: Final Chaser

Construction is under way on an office park in Chandler designed for home-based businesses that need occasional office space and larger companies that want a second, smaller location.

The site, on the northwestern corner of Ray and Cooper roads, will provide rental office space, a receptionist to answer phones and sort mail, a conference room and other amenities. The site also can provide an address for those who don't want their home address on their business cards or publicity material.

The concept, called flex suites and operating under the company name PhoneJockey, includes rental spaces from 150 to 1,500 square feet. Amenities include conference rooms, a classroom, a workout room with showers and lockers, security that includes key cards and cameras, janitorial service and a kitchen area.

"There's a lot of this type of product in the Camelback Corridor and north Scottsdale but not really Ahwatukee or Chandler," said Lisa Franz, property manager for PhoneJockey.

The Ahwatukee company built its first location of 25,000 square feet at 4805 E. Thistle Landing Drive, Suite 110, in Ahwatukee Foothills. The concept proved so popular that a second, 30,000-square-foot site will be opened as soon as April in the same office park, Thistle Landing, south of Ray Road.

Franz expects the Chandler site -- four buildings totaling 50,000 square feet called Cooper Crossing -- to open next October. Ground was broken in September, and builders have been putting in fiber optics for high-speed Internet and data.

PhoneJockey is looking at other areas in the Southeast Valley as well as west of Phoenix. Other available services include phone, Internet connection, fax, copy machine and mailboxes. "They are virtual offices," Franz said. Businesspeople might have an office out of their home, "but we still answer calls for them and forward the calls to a cellphone, a home office or wherever they might be."

PhoneJockey managers are Judson Ball and O. Mark DeMichele, who are partners in Urban Realty Partners, a commercial real estate development company. DeMichele was chief executive officer of Arizona Public Service Co. from 1988-97. His son, Mark A. DeMichele, the designated broker of Mercury Realty, is handling leasing.

Mark A. DeMichele said a businessperson could set up a virtual office for $75 a month, which buys a phone and answering service.

PhoneJockey

What: Flex suites for home-based businesses and others.

Where: Current location is Thistle Landing business park, 4805 E. Thistle Landing Drive, (between Ray Road and Chandler Boulevard just west of Interstate 10), Ahwatukee Foothills. Future location under construction at Ray and Cooper roads, Chandler.

Cost: Starting at $75 a month for a virtual office, which buys a phone and answering service. Mail service and other suite services available for additional fees.

Information: (480) 346-7035 or (480) 346-7070, www.phonejockey.net.

Copyright (c) The Arizona Republic. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

Record Number: pho122312559