Blandford Homes’ New Desert Ridge Master Plan: The Biggest New-Home Opportunity in North Phoenix

For years, buyers who wanted Desert Ridge had one option: shop resale. That’s about to change. In April 2026, Blandford Homes won roughly 293 acres of State Trust Land in the heart of Desert Ridge — paying $180 million after a record-setting bidding war — and set the stage for the area’s most significant new residential community in years. Here’s what buyers should know now.

Why this parcel matters so much

Desert Ridge’s 5,700-acre master plan is largely built out, which is exactly why this land drew such extraordinary interest. The April 30, 2026 auction pulled 428 bids — the most for an Arizona state land auction since 2016 — driving the price from a $108.3 million appraisal to $180 million. Blandford Homes, bidding through Desert Ridge 293 LLC, outlasted D.R. Horton and a high-density developer to win it. For buyers, the takeaway is simple: a large, brand-new community is coming to one of North Phoenix’s most desirable, Scottsdale-adjacent locations, and land at this scale won’t come around again.

The parcel at a glance

At a glance	Blandford Homes — Desert Ridge (293 acres)
Builder	Blandford Homes (Gilbert, AZ — founded 1979)
Size	~293 acres near 40th Street & Deer Valley Road
Acquired	April 30, 2026 state land auction
Price	$180 million (appraised at $108.3 million)
Bids	428 — the most for an Arizona land auction since 2016
Status	Planning / pre-development; plans not yet announced
Nearby	Desert Ridge Marketplace, High Street, Mayo Clinic, Loop 101

Blandford had not released detailed plans at the time of writing. We’ll update as neighborhood plans, product types, and pricing are announced — reach out to be notified early.

What buyers can expect

While specifics are still pending, Blandford’s history offers strong clues. The builder has spent more than four decades creating master-planned communities across the Valley — typically with resort-style amenities like pools, spas, fitness centers, event lawns, and parks — and is known for architecturally distinct homes with premium construction details. Its floor plans generally range from about 1,700 to more than 4,000 square feet in both single-level and two-story designs, which suggests a community with genuine variety rather than a single product type.

Location & lifestyle

Steps from the action: directly across from Desert Ridge Marketplace, with High Street’s dining and entertainment nearby.
Major employers: minutes from Mayo Clinic and the growing CityNorth corporate district.
Easy access: quick connections to the Loop 101 and SR-51, plus proximity to Scottsdale.
Top schools: within the highly regarded Paradise Valley Unified School District — verify assignment by address.

Who it’s for

This community is positioned squarely at move-up and luxury buyers: relocating executives, healthcare professionals tied to Mayo Clinic, tech and semiconductor relocation buyers, and families who want a newer home with strong schools — especially those who shopped Scottsdale 85255 and want more house for the money.

Frequently Asked Questions for Blandford Homes’ New Ridge Community

What is the Blandford Homes Desert Ridge development?

It’s a future master-planned residential community on roughly 293 acres in Desert Ridge, acquired by Blandford Homes at an Arizona State Land Department auction in April 2026. It represents the single largest new residential opportunity in an area that has had very little new single-family inventory left.

Where is the 293-acre parcel located?

The site sits near 40th Street and Deer Valley Road in North Phoenix — directly across from Desert Ridge Marketplace, and close to High Street, Mayo Clinic, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, and the Loop 101.

How much did Blandford Homes pay for the land?

$180 million — far above the $108.3 million appraised value that opened the bidding. The April 30, 2026 auction drew 428 bids, the highest number recorded for an Arizona state land auction since 2016, with D.R. Horton and a high-density developer among the competitors.

Who is Blandford Homes?

Blandford Homes is a Gilbert-based Arizona builder founded in 1979 that has built more than 10,000 Valley homes. It specializes in amenity-rich master-planned communities for families, empty nesters, and active adults, and has been named Home Builder of the Year by the Arizona Real Estate Achievement Awards.

What kind of homes will be built there?

Detailed plans had not been announced at the time of writing. Based on Blandford’s track record — architecturally distinct homes generally from about 1,700 to over 4,000 square feet within resort-style master plans — buyers can reasonably expect multiple neighborhoods and a range of product. Zoning on the site allows varying residential densities, so the final mix will be worth watching closely.

When will homes be available?

Large parcels like this typically take a few years to move from purchase through land planning, city permitting, and infrastructure to the first move-ins. The best approach is to get on an early interest list so you hear about releases before they’re public.

What will homes cost?

Pricing hasn’t been announced. For context, Desert Ridge home values have averaged around $865,000 — roughly $300,000 above the Phoenix average — and given what Blandford paid per acre, this is expected to be a move-up and luxury-oriented community rather than an entry-level one.

Why is this development such a big deal?

Because Desert Ridge had almost no new single-family inventory left. A 293-acre master plan in a built-out, Scottsdale-adjacent area with top schools and major employers is a rare event — some local observers see it as a “new DC Ranch” style opportunity for North Phoenix.

Who is this community likely to attract?

Relocating executives, Mayo Clinic and healthcare professionals, semiconductor and tech relocation buyers, families wanting newer homes in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, and buyers priced out of Scottsdale’s 85255 corridor.

Why work with The Holm Group on this new community?

Getting into a major new master plan early is about information and representation. With over 26 years of experience and more than $250M in closed transactions, The Holm Group tracks Desert Ridge parcel by parcel, can get you on interest lists as they open, and represents your interests with the builder.

Want to be first in line?

In a community this significant, the earliest buyers get the best lots, the best plans, and often the best pricing. The time to start the conversation is before the first release — not after.

Explore current listings on our Desert Ridge homes for sale page, and learn more about the builder at the official Blandford Homes website.

When you’re ready to get on the interest list with your own representation, The Holm Group will keep you a step ahead. Reach out and let’s find the home that fits the life you’re after.

Work With Andrew & The Holm Group

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Adobe Highlands, Andrew & The Holm Group have more than 26 years of experience helping buyers and sellers throughout Phoenix, Deer Valley, Scottsdale, Glendale, and the greater Phoenix area. Our team specializes in single-family homes, luxury properties, and established Valley communities, providing expert local market knowledge, innovative marketing, and skilled negotiation to help clients achieve exceptional results.

Let The Holm Group Help You Sell or Find Your Next AZ Home.
Call Andrew @ The Holm Group Today at 480-206-4265.

Last Updated: July 2026