High Desert Happenings: New Projects & Growth Across in Victor Valley

Eric Reed

New and exciting things are happening across Victor Valley. This region, located at the edge of the Mojave Desert, continues to see waves of development. And the growth it’s experiencing is not siloed — Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville all have projects in the works. 

Adelanto 

Industrial and Retail Growth

The city of Adelanto has nearly 18 million square feet of industrial developments in the pipeline, of which 3 million square feet is scheduled to break ground in 2025. The city also has five new hotels under development. 

Eight retail projects along U.S. 395 are in planning stages, and the city has broken ground on several street and park improvements. Also, the renovated Adelanto Plaza & Event Center continues to grow in popularity, with a large festival scheduled nearly every month. 

Officials are also excited that jobs have grown by almost 10% since Mayor Gabriel Reyes took office, and the employer pool continues to grow with the addition of companies in the aerospace, automotive, defense and medical sectors. 

Apple Valley 

New Homes, Businesses and Infrastructure

The town council passed the North Apple Valley Industrial Specific Plan, which allows for the quick and seamless approval of large projects, including plans for a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center by Loctek Ergonomic. There are also plans for the 2.4 million-square-foot Bell Mountain Commerce Center. 

Additionally, the council approved a 99-home residential gated community along Deep River Road called Deep Creek Estates. 

“We have also been welcoming businesses like Cold Stone Creamery, Sprouts Farmers Market, Mor Furniture and an eventual Love’s Travel Stop,” says Lindy Daugherty, executive assistant of economic and community development services. “There is also an important priority project to widen Yucca Loma Road to relieve congestion at the Yucca Loma and Apple Valley Road intersection.” 

She adds that the recently vacated AMC 14 movie theater was donated to the town and will become the Singh Center for the Arts. 

“Another nice addition is the Joseph McConnell Jr. USAF Park opening in March 2025. We’re excited about the future Brightline West high-speed train between Los Angeles and Las Vegas that will feature a stop in Apple Valley,” Daugherty says. 

Hesperia 

Commercial and Residential Development

Speaking of nice additions, a commercial development called Hesperia Commerce Center has opened on the west side of Interstate 15 along Caliente Road, and the three-building complex covers 3.5 million square feet. Tenants already occupying the expansive site include Modway Furniture Wholesaler, Peloton Exercise Equipment and global logistics company Maersk. 

Meanwhile, Dallas-based real estate company Covington Group has plans to develop three large industrial buildings in Hesperia, totaling more than 2 million square feet. The industrial complex will be south of Main Street between U.S. 395 and I-15. 

As for residential developments, Hesperia boasts Silverwood, a master-planned community that showcased its first home in 2024. The development’s full buildout will include 700,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. 

Hesperia has also welcomed new restaurants, including Rosa Maria’s Mexican restaurant, Dairy Queen and Panera Bread. 

Victorville 

A Boomtown with Diverse Opportunities

The city ranked No. 13 in 2023 SmartAsset’s list of top boomtowns in America. 

“We welcomed 200 new businesses in 2023, including the first-ever Sprouts Farmers Market in the High Desert,” says Sue Jones, public information officer. “The Sprouts news was even better because they occupied a vacated building that formerly housed Toys ‘R’ Us.” 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

CarMax Auto Superstore opened along I-15, and the city is welcoming a Raising Cane’s restaurant. Superior Grocers will open in the former Albertsons, and Green Tree Library will soon open in the former Green Tree Golf Course clubhouse. 

Covington Group will also construct a 2 million-square-foot industrial space at the old golf course, and Jones says much commercial activity is occurring at Southern California Logistics Airport. Amazon opened a fulfillment center in 2023, and Goodyear will soon occupy a distribution hub there. 

“Victorville is attractive for many reasons, including that we still have land available while communities south of us do not,” Jones says. “We are also a transportation hub at the sweet spot of I-15 and I-40, and Victorville is one of the more affordable places for residents to live in Southern California.”