New Communities and Developments Transforming the Greater Phoenix Metro: Your #1 Source for Arizona Updates

Highlighting New Communities and New Developments/Projects coming to the Greater Phoenix Metro...Your #1 Source For Everything Arizona!

Revitalizing Peoria: Castle Hill Partners to Develop 5,255-Acre Saddleback Heights Community

The long-dormant Saddleback Heights is finally set to be developed. Austin, Texas-based Castle Hill Partners is bringing a 5,255-acre master-planned community to Peoria.

Castle Hill Partners entered the Valley market in March 2022 with the purchase of the 5,255.57-acre property for $106.58 million, averaging $20,278.99 per acre. Originally planned as Saddleback Heights in the 1990s, the land has been inactive for quite some time. Saddleback Heights is one of the last remaining development opportunities of its size in the Phoenix metro area. The Saddleback community is now approved for 8,089 single-family and 180 multifamily units and is located near the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s plant in north Phoenix, where other homebuilders are planning thousands of new homes.

Abandoned Laveen Village Golf Course to Transform into The Score at Cottonfields

An abandoned golf course at the southeast corner of 59th and Southern avenues in Phoenix's Laveen Village is set for revitalization after years of negotiations between the owner, Alan Robinson, and local residents. Initially planned to be transformed into a 90-acre park with 800 homes, the new plan, led by zoning attorney Adam Baugh, reduces the homes to 415 and focuses on restoring the golf course. The developer will construct a new 20-hole golf course, golf simulators, and a new clubhouse with a food and beverage focus. The project, now called The Score at Cottonfields, will be self-funded, with maintenance supported by dues from the new homes. A Phoenix City Council vote is expected in September.

Lane Park: Scottsdale’s New Bar with Unique Games and Indoor Ice Curling

A new bar in Old Town Scottsdale, Lane Park, opened on May 20 at 7232 E. First Street, aiming to stand out with unique games, including ice curling. This 8,000-square-foot venue is the first in the U.S. to feature an indoor "bar style" ice curling venue, with four ice lanes, each 7.5 feet wide and 52 feet long. Inspired by a similar concept in Pittsburgh, Lane Park's version of ice curling is a shorter, more shuffleboard-like game to ensure safety as patrons enjoy their drinks. The venue also offers Duckpin Bowling, axe-throwing lanes, Sapo, Carrom, Sub Soccer, and a variety of tabletop games.

With plans to expand to five or ten locations in the next five years, the bar offers a significant food and beverage menu curated by local celebrity chef Matt Hearn, featuring shareable plates like spicy crab croquettes, pizzas, and a dessert charcuterie board.

Slick City Action Park to Open First Phoenix Location in Peoria This June

Slick City Action Park, an indoor slide and trampoline park, is set to open its first Phoenix market location in Peoria this June.

The family-friendly business will occupy 36,000 square feet of a former Bashas’ location. The Peoria store will be the fourth Slick City Action Park location in the country, with others in Denver, St. Louis, and Katy, Texas. The company, which expands through franchisees, plans to open five Phoenix-area locations in the coming years. Slick City is one of several out-of-home entertainment concepts looking to expand in the Valley.

New Legislation Allows Casitas and ADUs Statewide in Arizona

House Bill 2720 has been approved, making it legal to build casitas or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) across Arizona. If you live in a city with over 75,000 residents, including most cities in the Greater Phoenix Metro area, you can now add guest homes, ADUs, or casitas in your backyard. This new legislation permits ADUs and casitas statewide, allows you to advertise single-family homes or casitas as separately leased long-term rentals, and prevents municipalities from imposing strict requirements such as resident relationships, additional kitchens, parking, or specific design matching for casitas. Additionally, this bill overrides Phoenix’s recent ordinance banning casitas as short-term rentals. This new law is a game-changer for housing affordability, offering more options for homeowners and great income potential, especially for those looking to keep a low-cost basis and low interest rate.

For more information and to stay up to date with everything coming to the Greater Phoenix Metro visit our News, Updates and Coming Soon page to stay updated on a weekly basis. If you want to learn more about what is coming to your neighborhood, city or area of interest, feel free to book a time with me below for a discussion!