The Ranch

A billion-dollar desert bet is beginning to materialize in Gilbert. Nearly two years after zoning was greenlit, plans for The Ranch, a massive 311-acre mixed-use development, are finally surfacing. Spearheaded by IndiCap and Colmena Group, with backing from Langley Properties, the vision blends industry, housing, and retail into one of Greater Phoenix’s most ambitious new projects.

It’s big. It’s complex. And it’s moving forward. Slowly but surely.

Massive Footprint Anchored By Warehouses

The industrial core of The Ranch makes up the bulk of the site. While the spotlight may eventually shift to restaurants and retail, it’s the warehouse space that will break ground first.

• 72% of the land dedicated to industrial use

• Over 3 million square feet of total industrial space

• 11 buildings ranging from 67,000 to 880,000 square feet

• Access from Power & Warner Roads

• Construction kicks off with the Warner Road phase

• Developers seeking flexible timing due to market inventory

Developers are keeping options open. With plenty of available space in the Gilbert-Mesa submarket, they’re timing the rollout carefully.

Apartments & Retail Bring Balance

After pushback from neighbors in 2022, the original industrial-heavy plan was reworked to include more livable elements. Enter housing, restaurants, and commercial buildings.

• 729 apartment units across 39 acres

• 90,000 square feet of retail and dining space

• 21 total commercial buildings, 6 reserved for restaurants

• Residences include lower and mid-density layouts

• Two-story units designed to mimic custom homes

• Most housing & retail near Elliot Road

This mix adds human scale to the project. It also keeps the north end of the site active and connected.

Also Read: Reasons Why People Love The City Of Gilbert

Green Buffers & Smart Phasing

Phased development is the name of the game, with construction rolling out in deliberate chunks. The plan even includes green buffers and built-in pauses between neighborhoods and warehouses.

• 16-acre open space along the western edge

• Acts as both retention area and neighborhood buffer

• Phase one must finish this buffer before homes go up

• Industrial, residential, and commercial pieces split into 3 phases

That 16-acre cushion softens the edge with Morrison Ranch next door — and provides stormwater storage at the same time.

Location Is No Afterthought

The Ranch sits squarely in the path of growth. Loop 202 is a stone’s throw away. Mesa Gateway Airport is five minutes out. And Cannon Beach, with its surfing lagoon and splashy entertainment vibe, is just across the street.

• A block north of Loop 202

• 5 or so miles from Mesa, Arizona

• Adjacent to Cannon Beach and Revel Surf

• Major arterial access via Power & Warner Roads

Add all that up, and you’ve got a project that’s  central to Gilbert’s next evolution.

Behind The Curtain

A handful of heavy-hitters are already in play. The planning docs are in. The team is set. And while no construction crews are on site yet, the gears are turning.

• Master plan submitted to Gilbert Planning Commission

• IndiCap & Colmena leading development

• Langley Properties as investor

• JLL handling industrial leasing

• GPS Commercial Advisors tapped for retail leasing

• Ware Malcomb serving as project architect

• General contractor still TBD

The project may still be in the “early vision” phase, but the outlines are clear. And it’s only gaining momentum.

Final Word

The Ranch is no overnight build. It’s a years-long, phased rollout that could reshape a major corner of Gilbert. With over 300 acres in play and a plan that brings together warehouses, apartments, restaurants, and green space, it aims to be more than just another desert development. It’s part of a much larger shift happening in the southeast Valley. And now, it’s finally inching closer to reality.

Also Read: Is Gilbert, Arizona, A Good Place To Live?