The American Southwest has been casting its spell on visitors for generations. It was during vacations to Tucson that Saguaro Ranch developer Stephen Phinny was drawn to the Saguaro Ranch site and subsequently spearheaded the purchase of the property commencing in June 2000. Today, the project, with its focus on environmental stewardship and artistic expression, has become Phinny’s passion.

The original idea for Saguaro Ranch, however, was inspired by Phinny’s fond recollections of childhood visits to a desert retreat in Palm Springs, California, which was conceived in the early 1930’s as a place of quiet sophistication – where like-minded families could relax and enjoy nature. Cradled by mountains and peppered with unspoiled foliage, this retreat was remarkable for its natural beauty and simple way of life. Dinner was served family-style promptly at 6:30 p.m. at long wooden tables. “Colonists” were assigned branded clothespins which served many purposes -- napkin holder, place card, hash mark of prior visits and, above all, talisman.

Phinny envisions similar trademark customs at Saguaro Ranch. The idyllic retreat is a timeless canvas colored by nature, a special place where residents can make their own magic and memories and where new traditions will take root. Residents, for example, will be asked to make a piece of pottery at the Ranch’s Art Barn to display on-property.

No longer a figment of Phinny’s imagination, Saguaro Ranch is breathing new life into the Tortolita Mountains northwest of Tucson. Of the site’s 1,035 acres, 80 percent will remain undisturbed, natural open space, ensuring that the environment is the carefully-preserved focus. In addition to luxury homesteads, the residential community will claim a wealth of world-class amenities and services. These include a guest ranch with casitas, a full-service spa, an indoor theater and an outdoor amphitheater and adjacent recording studio, fine dining and recreation such as a full-service horse ranch, art barn, swimming in three pools, tennis, cycling, bocce ball and much more.

Named after the cactus described as the “monarch of the Sonoran Desert,” Saguaro Ranch promises to be among Arizona’s most progressive and compelling communities.