In a landmark decision that promises to reshape Arizona’s rapidly growing Southeast Valley, The Ranch, a landmark $1 billion mixed-use development in the heart of Gilbert, Arizona, has officially received final entitlement approval from the Planning Commission on August 6, 2025. This transformative project represents one of the largest mixed-use developments ever approved in Arizona and signals Gilbert’s continued evolution from a small agricultural town into a major metropolitan center.
A Milestone Achievement in Arizona Development
The approval of The Ranch marks a critical juncture for both Gilbert and the broader Phoenix metropolitan area. With this critical milestone achieved, permitting and construction can now commence on the transformative project poised to redefine the region’s landscape and economy. The development’s scope and scale position it as a defining project for the Southeast Valley, potentially influencing development patterns and economic growth for decades to come.
Situated near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus, The Ranch will span more than 295 acres and is anticipated to become Gilbert’s largest mixed-use development to date. This strategic location capitalizes on existing infrastructure and educational resources while creating new opportunities for economic synergy between aviation, education, and commerce.
The project’s approval process spanned multiple years and required extensive community input, environmental review, and regulatory compliance. The final entitlement approval represents the culmination of careful planning and collaboration between developers, city officials, and community stakeholders to create a development that serves both economic and community interests.
Strategic Development Partnership
A partnership between Las Vegas-based IndiCap, Salt Lake City-based Colmena Group, and locally based Langley Properties has received final entitlement approval from the Town of Gilbert’s Planning Commission to begin construction for The Ranch. This tri-state partnership brings together complementary expertise and resources essential for managing a project of this magnitude and complexity.
IndiCap, the Las Vegas-based boutique commercial real estate company, specializes in industrial investment and development, bringing crucial expertise in warehouse and distribution facility development. Colmena Group contributes real estate development and investment experience from the Salt Lake City market, while Langley Properties provides local knowledge and community connections essential for successful project integration within Gilbert’s existing fabric.
The partnership structure reflects the project’s multi-faceted nature and the need for diverse expertise across industrial, commercial, and residential development sectors. Each partner brings specific capabilities that address different aspects of the comprehensive development plan, from industrial logistics to retail integration and residential design.
Comprehensive Mixed-Use Vision
The Ranch represents a new model for integrated development in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Upon completion, The Ranch will offer 221 acres of light industrial space, 39 acres of commercial space, 39 acres of multifamily space and 16 acres of public green space. This balanced approach to land use creates opportunities for live-work-play integration while addressing multiple market demands simultaneously.
The industrial portion could total up to 3 million square feet of mid-bay and cross-dock buildings. This substantial industrial component positions The Ranch to serve the growing demand for modern logistics and distribution facilities in the Phoenix market. The proximity to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport enhances the industrial component’s appeal for companies requiring air cargo capabilities or seeking to serve the broader Southwest region.
The commercial space is designed to include restaurants, retail establishments, and office facilities that serve both the development’s residents and the broader Gilbert community. This mixed-use approach creates internal synergies while reducing vehicle trips and supporting sustainable development practices.
Prime Location and Geographic Advantages
The 295-acre development will be situated along Power Road between Warner and Elliot roads. This location provides exceptional connectivity to major transportation corridors while positioning the development within one of Gilbert’s most dynamic growth areas.
The Ranch covers 295 acres along Power Road between Warner and Elliot Road. The project will include industrial, residential, and commercial elements in the Morrison Ranch neighborhood. The Morrison Ranch area has become synonymous with quality development and community planning, making it an ideal location for a project of this scale and ambition.
The site’s proximity to major employers, educational institutions, and transportation infrastructure creates multiple advantages for both businesses and residents. The location supports efficient goods movement for industrial tenants while providing convenient access to employment, education, and recreation for residential components.
Economic Impact and Investment Significance
The Ranch represents one of the largest single development investments in Gilbert’s history. The property traded for $107.5 million in an all-cash transaction, demonstrating the developers’ commitment and financial capacity to execute the project successfully.
The billion-dollar total investment will generate substantial economic impacts throughout the construction phase and ongoing operations. Construction activities alone will create hundreds of jobs across multiple trades and professions, while the completed development will provide permanent employment opportunities across industrial, commercial, and residential services sectors.
Property tax revenues from the completed development will significantly enhance Gilbert’s fiscal capacity to provide municipal services and infrastructure improvements. The mixed-use nature of the project creates diverse revenue streams that provide stability and growth potential for the local tax base.
Development Timeline and Construction Phases
While final entitlement approval has been achieved, the project will likely unfold over multiple phases spanning several years. With the land acquisition complete, the project will move to the site planning and design phase, with a groundbreaking slated for third-quarter 2024. However, given the August 2025 approval date, construction timelines have likely been adjusted to reflect the actual approval schedule.
The phased approach allows developers to respond to market conditions while ensuring that infrastructure and amenities develop in coordination with various project components. Early phases will likely focus on essential infrastructure and industrial components, followed by commercial and residential elements as market absorption supports expansion.
Site preparation and infrastructure development represent major initial undertakings given the project’s scale. Utilities, roadways, and drainage systems must be designed and constructed to support the full development build-out while integrating with existing community infrastructure.
Community Integration and Planning Considerations
The Ranch’s approval reflects careful attention to community integration and planning principles that align with Gilbert’s growth management objectives. 16 acres of public green space ensures that the development contributes to community amenities while providing environmental benefits and recreational opportunities.
The mixed-use design supports Gilbert’s smart growth initiatives by creating opportunities for reduced vehicle dependence and increased walkability. Residents can potentially live, work, and shop within the development while accessing broader community amenities and services.
Environmental considerations played important roles in the planning and approval process. The development team worked with city planners to address stormwater management, traffic impacts, and infrastructure capacity to ensure that growth occurs in a sustainable and manageable manner.
Market Context and Regional Significance
The Ranch’s approval occurs within the context of continued robust growth throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Gilbert has emerged as one of the fastest-growing communities in Arizona, attracting residents and businesses seeking high-quality development and strong community amenities.
The Southeast Valley’s evolution from agricultural land to major metropolitan area creates ongoing demand for diverse development types. The Ranch addresses multiple market segments simultaneously, from industrial users seeking modern facilities to families seeking integrated live-work-play environments.
Regional competition for major mixed-use projects has intensified as communities recognize the economic and community benefits of comprehensive development. Gilbert’s ability to attract and approve a project of The Ranch’s scale demonstrates the community’s competitive position and development capacity.
Innovation in Mixed-Use Development
The Ranch represents innovations in mixed-use development that address contemporary market demands and community planning objectives. The integration of substantial industrial components with residential and commercial uses creates opportunities for reduced commute distances and increased economic efficiency.
Modern industrial design and operations allow for closer integration with other uses compared to traditional heavy industrial development. The focus on mid-bay and cross-dock facilities supports contemporary logistics operations while minimizing environmental impacts and land use conflicts.
The development’s scale allows for comprehensive amenity planning and infrastructure efficiency that smaller projects cannot achieve. Shared parking, utilities, and amenity costs create economic advantages while providing higher-quality environments for all users.
Future Implications and Development Patterns
The Ranch’s approval and eventual construction will likely influence development patterns throughout the Southeast Valley and broader Phoenix metropolitan area. Successful mixed-use integration at this scale could encourage similar projects in other communities while establishing new benchmarks for comprehensive development.
The project’s emphasis on industrial integration addresses ongoing concerns about employment-housing balance in rapidly growing suburban communities. By providing substantial employment opportunities within a mixed-use environment, The Ranch could serve as a model for addressing regional growth challenges.
Long-term success will depend on effective property management, ongoing investment in amenities and infrastructure, and adaptation to changing market conditions and community needs. The development’s scale provides flexibility to evolve over time while maintaining core mixed-use principles.
The final entitlement approval for The Ranch represents a watershed moment in Gilbert’s development history and Arizona’s mixed-use development evolution. A billion-dollar mixed-use development in Gilbert has gotten its final entitlement approval, potentially allowing construction to commence.
This transformative project combines substantial industrial, commercial, and residential components within a carefully planned 295-acre development that promises to redefine possibilities for integrated community development. The partnership between IndiCap, Colmena Group, and Langley Properties brings together the expertise and resources necessary to execute a project of this complexity and scale.
As construction preparations begin and the first phase of development takes shape, The Ranch will serve as a crucial test of mixed-use development principles in the contemporary Arizona market. Success will validate the integrated approach while creating a new model for comprehensive community development that other municipalities and developers may seek to replicate.
The Ranch’s journey from concept to approved development demonstrates Gilbert’s continued evolution as a major metropolitan center capable of attracting and managing large-scale, transformative development projects that serve both economic and community objectives.
