Phoenix law firm Withey Morris Baugh has repurposed a vacant former restaurant near the Arizona Biltmore into its new headquarters, highlighting a growing trend among small and midsize businesses to purchase and redevelop commercial properties rather than continue leasing.
The nearly $4 million acquisition and renovation project transformed an approximately 8,000-square-foot building into a custom office space designed to support the firm’s long-term growth. The project reflects increasing interest in adaptive reuse, where businesses revitalize existing properties while creating permanent locations and building equity.
To finance the acquisition and renovation, Withey Morris Baugh partnered with TMC Financing and its lending institution through the SBA 504 loan program. The financing enabled the firm to secure long-term, fixed-rate funding with a lower down payment, preserving working capital while investing in commercial real estate.
As businesses continue evaluating long-term occupancy strategies, projects like this demonstrate how SBA 504 financing can help owner-users acquire and reposition existing commercial properties, turning underutilized buildings into productive assets while supporting business growth and community investment.