Saguaro Ranch Life | Volume 6 | Issue 6
520.833.6141 | saguaroranch.com
REPORTER D E S E R T
L I V I N G.
N A T U R A L L Y.
Saguaro Ranch Momentum Continues News surrounding the completion of two
and a half have been extremely strong
phase, we’re down to just three.”
Estate Lot custom homes, newly released
with twenty-two being sold,” said Mike
extraordinary Estate Lots and the near
Conlin, manager and POA board member
Distinguished by phenomenal views, those remaining lots 53, 56 and 68 are
completion of Moonlight Canyon’s first
about four and a half acres, all with
custom home all continue to capture the
breathtaking views that provide the setting
attention of real estate pros and their
for distinctive, imaginative custom homes.
clients. People are continuing to discov-
“There is a wonderful energy throughout
er the appeal of Saguaro Ranch: Tucson
the community with homes under
locals, folks wanting to relocate from an
construction and newly purchased
increasingly congested Scottsdale and
lots whose owners are involved in the
interested buyers from California,
design and design-review process,”
Washington, and the Midwest. “Sales for Estate Lots over the last year
of Saguaro Ranch. “Out of fifteen
Conlin commented.
developer-owned estate lots in the original
DEVELOPER’S CORNER - PG. 2
HOMEOWNERS PROFILE - PG. 2
ARCHITECT’S CORNER- PG. 2
CLUBHOUSE MANAGER - PG. 3
BUILDER’S CORNER - PG. 4
New Estate Lots custom homes
Why did Kevin and Catherine
Tucson architect, Kevin Howard,
Clubhouse Manager Monica
Miramonte Homes breaks
starts in progress, exceptional
Cavender choose Saguaro Ranch
is designing two stunning homes
Ibarra is skilled at planning
ground for two homes, spec
architectural designs.
for their desert home?
at Saguaro Ranch.
memorable member events.
home designs completed.
DEVELOPER'S CORNER
Homeowners Profile New Custom Homes Feature Distinctive Style Saguaro Ranch developers and longtime law partners Scott Lundberg and Brian Peschel are thrilled with the changing landscape and progress throughout the Saguaro Ranch community. Work was recently completed on the spectacular Martinez residence that features a commanding view of the Tucson valley, the first home in Saguaro Ranch designed by local architect Marc Soloway. A couple from Washington is getting ready to begin construction on their Lot 54 home, a magnificent design by Seattle-based architect-designer Jill Rerucha of Rerucha Studio Architecture. And another great Tucson architect, Kevin Howard, is in the process of designing two homes here. “Saguaro Ranch has really become a space for imaginative, bold designs that match its rugged Continued on Page 4
Fascinating Flora
Kevin and Catherine “Caydee” Cavender never tire of the Sonoran Desert’s beauty, vastness and awe-inspiring topography. A Tucson native, Kevin has been enamored by the majesty of the desert his whole life, while his wife, who is originally from Dallas, Texas, came to appreciate its wonders at first sight. They met while attending the University of San Diego, and whenever they’d come to visit Kevin’s parents and friends, the notion of them living in the area began to gel. “We had known about Saguaro Ranch for years because of the tunnel,” said Kevin. “We used to drive up there for fun and U-turn before the gate! Recently, we became interested in buying land here, so we contacted Mike Conlin to see what the community was all about.” Shortly into their first tour beyond the gate, they immediately knew how truly special the place was, most notably for the forests of saguaros, the 360-degree views and the National Park-like setting. They’d explored homesites at Ventana Canyon, Dove Mountain and Stone Canyon, and as members at Stone Canyon Golf Club, the couple is familiar with that community and its qualities, but preferred Saguaro Ranch. Designing their new home is acclaimed Tucson-based architect Ron Robinette, who is also creating a plan for a separate casita, so whether guests are staying for a few nights or a week, they’ll be able to have their own space. Continued on Page 4
Architects Corner
Kevin How a
rd
The pristine landscape of Saguaro Ranch includes native trees, shrubs and plants that support a wide variety of insects, birds and animals including the largest number of variety of bees in the world. Saguaro Ranch lot owners Catherine and Kevin Cavender are beekeepers on property near Saguaro Ranch and told “The Reporter” that the most important native plant for bees in Tucson are trees - the Palo Verde, Ironwood and Mesquite trees with Mesquites providing the bees with 75 percent of their annual nectar! If you’re looking for shrubs and smaller plants for pots and patio gardens, you can provide needed
A native of Arizona, Kevin B. Howard, has an innate appreciation for the local land and designs site-specific homes that are fully integrated into the landscape, adapting Wrightian principles of organic architecture. “All of the influences of a site—the cacti, flora and fauna, topography, site orientation to the sun—all of these become a factor in designing a home,” said Howard, a graduate of the University of Arizona. Each home is conceived using design principles founded upon a set of values: 1) Context/Place - Great architecture is born from a strong understanding of place and context. 2) Environment - We strive to protect and preserve the site’s natural
support for resident and migrating birds, bees, and monarch
features. 3) Sustainability - It is our mission to incorporate solar utilization, energy
butterflies by sticking with native plants that have evolved
efficiency, water conservation, and green materials to ensure a sustainable future.
together over millions of years. They include fairy duster, rab-
4) Life Space - We design living environments to enhance your lifestyle. 5) Forward
bit bush, desert marigold and mallows. A trip to Tohono Chul
Looking - Inspiring architecture not only serves today’s needs but anticipates future
or the Sonoran Desert Museum will inspire creative ways to
possibilities. 6) Responsiveness - We strive through the design process to be
complement the wide-open desert and wildlife.
responsive to a client’s needs, lifestyle, budget and aspirations, while providing Continued on Page 4
Estate Lots Recently Completed Custom Home on Estate Lot 11
LOT 53
LOT 56
LOT 68
Three New Estate Lots Provide Spectacular Views
LOT 53
Characterized by incredible views, generous acreage and privacy, Estate Lots 53, 56 and 68 are well-suited for custom-designed homes. The views from Estate Lot 53 showcase the Tortolita Mountains and Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina Mountains, as well as Tucson’s city lights in the distance. Vistas from Estate Lot 56 include the Pusch Ridge, the Tucson Mountains and Tortolita Mountains and the lights of downtown Tucson, while views from Estate Lot 68 incorporate the Tortolita Mountains and Pusch Ridge, plus the desert floor. Lots 53 and 56 are approximately five acres, while Lot 68 is just over four acres.
Clubhouse Manager Excels at Planning Memorable Events When members
While
have a special event
she helped
pings and his
in mind, their ‘go-to’
orchestrate
acclaimed
source is Monica
other large
guacamole.
Ibarra. The con-
events in
genial Ibarra, who
October
members
grew up in Tucson
for local
have a
and attended the
realtors,
birthday
University of Arizona, came on as Clubhouse Manager in September—and it’s been a busy time ever since.
she can just as easily plan a small gathering. “One of our members wanted to have a dinner
salsas, top-
Whether
party, anniversary celebration, rehearsal dinner, wedding reception or intimate dinner, Ibarra sets
party with some of her girlfriends, so my husband
the gears in motion beginning with a meeting to
René and I created a personalized evening,
hear what they’re envisioning. If the size of the
for Famous Dave’s in Las Vegas, where she’d man-
cooking in front of her guests. They loved it,”
guest list is small, members can manage their own
aged events as small as five corporate executives
added Ibarra.
event with Ibarra’s assistance, and if the guest list
Her seven years as the Catering Sales Manager
all the way up to 10,000 people, gives her the skill
Culinary Supervisor at JW Marriott Starr
sets to plan and oversee events at Saguaro Ranch.
Pass Resort & Spa, René is a featured chef at
“The Clubhouse hosted a celebration for a
the Clubhouse and one of a select list of private
is large, she’ll quarterback the event, and be present to make sure everything runs smoothly. “At one event the members wanted guests to
member’s twentieth wedding anniversary and we
chefs available to club members looking to host a
look at stars, so we had telescopes brought up for
had about eighty people attend,” said Ibarra. “It
private event. His culinary skills were on display
stargazing,” Ibarra explained. “The Clubhouse is a
was really nice because even though there were a
at Saguaro Ranch’s POA holiday party where he
great place for entertaining and I’ll do my best to
lot of guests, it still felt very intimate.”
created all the elements for a taco bar with various
make sure members have a memorable time.”
L-R: Rena Nofsinger, Chrismon Nofsinger, Denise Jackson, Trevor King
L-R: Scott Lundberg, Lori Escalante, Mike Cook, Char Lundberg
Builder’s Corner Architect’s Luxury Home Design Concept
Architect’s Luxury Home Design Concept
Moonlight Canyon — Highlighted by Sales, Construction and Infrastructure. The first home built in Moonlight Canyon is stunning and with finishing touches and landscaping in process now, the move-in date is planned for January. Also in Moonlight Canyon, ground has broken on Lots One and Three and a design for a spec home on Lot 42 is complete with construction due to begin in early 2023. Moonlight Canyon’s exclusive builder, Miramonte Homes, is going to have a busy winter and spring at Saguaro Ranch! “Moonlight Canyon Phase One and Two have been a hub of activity where seven lots have been sold in the last year. We are in the process of laying the underground utilities and paving all the streets in Phase Two, which includes twenty-two lots,” said Mike Conlin, manager and POA board member of Saguaro Ranch. “We plan to have the roads and the stub-ins for each lot finished by mid-to-late January.”
Continued from
Homeowners Profile
“We love how spread out the homes are and how each structure blends beautifully with the desert landscape,” Kevin added. “We like how the houses are staged on the Estate Lots, and how the developer carefully considers the preservation of the natural landscape, which is very important to us. As desert lovers it breaks our hearts to see large sections of the Sonoran Desert being totally cleared to make way for
SOLD AVAILABLE SPEC
houses. Being able to build a home on only a small section of our lot helps us know we are minimizing our impact.”
NOT FOR SALE
Continued from DEVELOPER'S CORNER
Continued from architect'S CORNER
landscape, a benchmark that Tucson architect Ron Robinette set years ago,” said Scott Lundberg, president of Saguaro Property Development, LLC. Architectural plans have recently been approved or are in the design-review stages for Estate Lots 1, 8, 30, 36, 39, 41, 46, 57, 97 and 100. “With twenty-two Estate Lots sales in the past two years and sales momentum continuing at Moonlight Canyon, this is an exciting time,” Lundberg added. “We’re really looking forward to having Dr. Dan Pearcy and Dr. Mittida Raksanaves living here as their Ron Robinette-designed home is nearing completion. The best part of Saguaro Ranch is the people, and our dream for a community of satisfied
them relief from the ordinary.
homeowners enjoying this incomparable land is really taking shape.”
Recently, Howard was invited by Anna Mueller and Bob Watson to design their desert dream home on Estate Lot 30. While on a site walk, he discovered that Estate Lot 1 was available, so he purchased it and is currently developing designs for the two homes. “Saguaro Ranch has always captured my imagination, from its location, privacy, and the famous tunnel, which is a unique characteristic,” Howard explained. “But the overriding feature for me as an architect is the beauty of the land.”
ROC #241199 Miramonte Homes, LLC
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