Saguaro Ranch Newsletter Issue #8

REPORTER

DESERT LIVING. NATURALLY.

Long Realty to Broker New Saguaro Ranch Homesites

BREAKING NEWS: Saguaro Ranch, the region’s most prestigious and exclusive home development, has partnered with Tucson-based Long Realty Company to broker the new release of lots.

Rachel Bradley, manager of the Oro Valley Long Realty Company office, states, “This is a tremendous, exciting opportunity to join a world-class luxury community. Moonlight Canyon is tailored to preserve the heritage and natural beauty of Saguaro Ranch while offering buyers a wide range of options.”

In all, the Moonlight Canyon development will comprise 43 lots of one to two acres each. With

a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the area, 80% of Saguaro Ranch’s 1,200 acres of pristine high-desert landscape will remain

in its natural state, ensuring residents lifelong enjoyment of unparalleled city, mountain, and

dark-sky views.

Lots start at $199,000 — an incredible price for this secluded, guard-gated community. Buyers have the option of holding the land, or working with the architects and builders of their choice to begin work on their dream properties right away.

“These unique lots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis,” Bradley said. “The best views will go fast. I urge buyers to snag them now.”

For more information, contact Rachel Bradley, manager of Long Realty’s Oro Valley office, at RachelB@LongRealty.com or (520) 918-6501.

DEVELOPER’S CORNER - PG. 2

Developer Scott Lundberg is thrilled to see residences popping up around the Ranch.

“Each home is custom,” he says, and owners have many options.

HOMEOWNER’S PROFILE - PG. 2

“It’s hard to even describe how magical it is,” remarked Saguaro Ranch homeowner Chrismon Nofsinger. He and his wife Rena anticipate breaking ground in 2025.

TUSCON’S NIGHT SKY- PG. 2

Saguaro Ranch offers endless stargazing, thanks to city and county regulations around light pollution. Review board member Mike Conlin shares how that works.

CONSTRUCTION - PG. 3

Saguaro Ranch and Moonlight Canyon are hubs of activity these days! More than 14 homesites are actively being built, and residents are getting excited.

CRITTER STORY - PG. 4

There are many interesting and awe-inspiring creatures you may encounter at Saguaro Ranch, but none are as captivating as the beautiful Harris hawk.

Moonlight Canyon Lot 6 Rendering

New Luxury Residences Breaking Ground

Scott Lundberg, president of Saguaro Property Development, LLC., is thrilled to see houses coming up around the 1200-acre Saguaro Ranch property. “We want this to be the highest-end luxury development in Southwestern Arizona,” he said, “and you need world-class homes being built to make that happen.”

And so it is happening. With 17 residences either in the process of being built or designed, Saguaro Ranch is transforming from an inspired idea to a breathtaking reality before his eyes. The singular homesites have attracted top architects from the region and beyond, including Mike Franks, Kevin Howard, Ron Robinette, Marc Soloway, and Greg Simmons. “We’re getting a nice variety of homes that meet our design guidelines but are each unique and different. Each home is custom,” Lundberg said.

Continued on Page 4

Homeowners Profile

Saguaro Ranch homeowners Chrismon and Rena Nofsinger were introduced to the Ranch in 2021. “From the moment we drove through the tunnel that first time, we said, ‘Now we get it. This place is special and spectacular,’” shared Chrismon.

Initially, the couple looked at several different lots throughout the community, eventually settling on a striking property with sprawling views of the Catalina Mountain range and featuring big boulders throughout. “This particular lot has an amazing amount of cacti. A forest of saguaros,” remarked Rena. She went on to emphasize that the views were the thing that ultimately clenched the deal. “I have fallen in love with the Catalinas,” she shared, speaking of the Catalina Mountain range.

The couple is now working closely with renowned architect Ron Robinette to create a contemporary Pueblo-style home, and their excitement about the project is palpable. “We live in Seattle, Washington, but we spend about ten days out of the month in a shared home we purchased outside of Saguaro Ranch with two other families,” Rena stated. The three families take turns living in their temporary home, so everyone has a chance to oversee their homesite development in the Ranch and get to know the area. “We’re getting to know our local grocery store, the restaurants, and we’ve joined the Gallery Golf Club,” said Rena. The couple also spends time at the Saguaro Ranch Club, where they may swim in the pool or enjoy a glass of wine at sunset when they’re in town.

“It’s hard to even describe how magical it is,” remarked Chrismon. “There is no light pollution. We’ve seen deer, coyotes, tortoises, javelina, bobcats. Road runners galore, we love the road runners. The birds are amazing.”

Chrismon and Rena expect to break ground on their new home in January 2025, and until then, continue to enjoy the excitement of the home-building process. “The place is so calming. It’s almost spiritual,” said Rena. “We look forward to spending more time there.”

Critter Story Tucson’s Night Sky

When you spend time in the deserts of Arizona, you’re likely to catch sight of the magnificent Harris hawk. With its striking brown and rust-colored plumage and impressive wingspan, it’s hard to miss these iconic desert dwellers — you may even catch a glimpse of a Harris hawk perched serenely on a saguaro cactus!

Unlike other birds of prey, the Harris hawk will often hunt and travel in groups. They will sometimes even walk or run along the ground while hunting medium-sized prey such as hares, rabbits, ground squirrels and reptiles. Their cooperative lifestyle is remarkable, and individuals in a group of hawks will often take turns eating downed prey. At times, the group may collect prey in trees to be eaten later.

Striking and fierce yet highly social and adaptable, you may spot a group of Harris hawks clustered together, tenderly grooming each other’s feathers and interacting with calls and gestures. Just another awe-inspiring aspect of Saguaro Ranch!

In recent years, the Dark Sky Movement has grown massively popular in the United States and globally. Due to urban and rural development and the intensity of LED lighting. Due to urban and rural development and the intensity of LED lighting, it has become harder and harder for citizens to look up at the sky and see stars, which is why communities with dark sky ordinances like Pima County (where Saguaro Ranch is located) are becoming more and more desirable.

Recently, Saguaro National Park — just 13 miles from Saguaro Ranch — was named the newest Urban Night Sky Place by the International Dark Sky Association. This is exciting because it’s only the second national park to receive such a recognition. The International Dark Sky Association was started and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, which is called the “astronomy capital of the world” because many of the finest observatories in the world (including Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Graham, Kitt Peak, and the Steward Observatory) are here. Protecting our dark skies is clearly a source of local pride!

Here at Saguaro Ranch, proximity to nature is the name of the game, which is why

Construction Booming in Saguaro Ranch

Saguaro Ranch is hustling and bustling! New homeowners are eager to see their homesites transform into the luxurious properties of their dreams, and we’re seeing much activity on the property these days, getting 2024 off to an exciting start.

Currently, there are 3 homes in the design stage in Saguaro Ranch: lots 8, 30, and 47. Seven lots in Saguaro Ranch are actively under construction: lots 39, 41, 46, 54, 56, 57, and 97. Four lots are under construction in Moonlight Canyon: lots 1, 3, 5, and 6. Each and every one of these properties are spectacular, one-of-a-kind gems.

Come take a look! Once you pass through the 700-foot tunnel and check in at the guard gate, you’ll find yourself in what looks like a national park. Private, tranquil, and absolutely beautiful, Saguaro Ranch offers an unparalleled lifestyle that can include hiking, biking, running trails, nature watching, and magical dark skies. Make the most of this incredible opportunity and schedule a tour today.

Triathlon Ends Inaugural Season With Fifth-Place Finish at NCAA’s

TEMPE, Ariz. – Propelled by three Wildcats with top-20 times in the Collegiate Triathlon National Championship, Arizona Triathlon capped its inaugural season with an impressive fifth-place performance.

Here shown training at Saguaro Ranch. Photos courtesy of Mike Conlin and Rick Ibarra, Saguaro Ranch.

Continued from DEVELOPER'S CORNER

Buyers in Saguaro Ranch have many options when it comes to their home. They may choose to bring in their own architect, choose from those already working in Saguaro Ranch and Moonlight Canyon, or they can select one of five model homes that were designed and permitted by architect Ron Robinette. Each of the model homes is semi-customizable, offering the owner a sense of personalization and control over their property.

“Considering that these are large estate lots, and the topography is spectacular, rugged and mountainous, it takes a while to do the sitework,” Lundberg mentioned. But the wait is worth it. “It takes a long time to build these kinds of homes, and design them,” he said. After all, here at Saguaro Ranch, quality is king — and unparalleled luxury is the standard.

SALES OFFICE HOURS:

Closed Monday

3755 West Conrad’s Way, Marana, AZ 85658

Continued from TucSon's Night Sky

over 80% of the 1200 acre property will remain completely untouched. The creators of Saguaro Ranch have done a lot to minimize light pollution, as well. Mike Conlin, a member of the review board at Saguaro Ranch, shared that, “we are considered an official dark sky community. This is thanks to our design review committee, which sets and enforces the guidelines for building a new home in Saguaro Ranch.” He went on to share that, “A key part of this is outdoor lighting. You must have a plan for your exterior lighting before you’re allowed a permit to build a home. Essentially, all outdoor lighting must be pointed downward, for example, no cactus can be lit up, etc.”

The town of Marana, Arizona, also enforces dark sky guidelines. Arizona has long worked to create dark sky communities, and the city won’t approve a building permit without proof of compliance with the ordinance. “It makes a big difference,” Conlin said, “The canyon under a full moon is just beautiful.”

The Saguaro Ranch review board has done a lot to enhance residents’ enjoyment of the property, including the beautiful dark skies. It’s wonderful to see the broader community embracing the dark sky guidelines and taking on a national park mindset, because ultimately, everyone benefits!