A historic piece of Arizona land once owned by John Wayne is about to transform into one of the largest master-planned communities in the state.
Key Details
- Location: South of Maricopa, Pinal County
- Buyer: CLB Real Property Holding Co.
- Land Purchased: 925 acres (total Red River Ranch holdings now 3,598 acres)
- Price: $29 million
- Planned Development: 35,000–40,000 homes over 10,000 acres
- Community Name: Likely Red River Ranch, honoring John Wayne’s legacy
Why It Matters for Investors
- Maricopa grew 30% from 2020–2024, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in metro Phoenix.
- The project is being compared to California’s Irvine Ranch, with mixed-use plans for single-family homes, multifamily, retirement communities, and commercial space.
- Highway 347 widening (2026–2031) will improve access to Phoenix and I-10, a major driver for long-term appreciation.
- Large-scale developments create massive rental demand before infrastructure and amenities fully catch up.
Investor Takeaway
- This project reinforces Maricopa as “the next Gilbert” — a growing city with affordable entry points and room for long-term appreciation.
- With 40,000 new homes planned, investors will need strong property management to handle tenant screening, maintenance, and legal compliance.
- Rising regulations and costs make professional management critical — reports show 52% of landlords now use PMs, with maintenance and tenant relations as the top challenges