How Verrado Became a California Oasis in the Middle of the Desert

Article originally posted on AZ Central on September 25, 2023

Buckeye is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Its population boomed from about 50,000 in 2010 to just over 105,000 and could grow even more to 310,000 by 2040. And once all 27 of Buckeye’s master planned communities are built, the population would be near 800,000.

One of them, Verrado, has become particularly hot for new developments. A new Costco opened at the southwest corner of Verrado Way and Interstate 10. And on the northwest corner, Vestar will soon open up Verrado Marketplace, a proposed mixed-use retail, dining and entertainment center.

The downtown area of Verrado is reminiscent of Southern California, aligned with palm trees, trendy restaurants, coffee shops and fancy-looking houses. And California is the number one comparison Verrado gets, said Dan Kelly, Chief Operating Officer of Verrado developer DMB Associates.

It all began in 1998. At the time, Buckeye had a population of only about 4,000 people. There wasn’t much development in the West Valley at the time, but Kelly said the East Valley was nearing a point where it couldn’t go any further.

Verrado is located right up against the White Tank mountains, and Kelly said the community was planned out with careful attention to detail. Some lots are intentionally left undeveloped to make the area seem more open and relaxed. The lots are also built by a variety of builders, which ensures that the homes don’t all look the same, and also allows different economic levels within a single neighborhood.

Kelly said DMB had in mind people who care about architecture. Much of the development in Verrado is highly detailed, especially on Main Street, Kelly said. While that part was developed in 2004, it was no longer sustainable after the Great Recession. DMB instead scaled back the detail on areas that aren’t as visible, such as the back of houses. All of the details come from early 1900s architectural pattern books, which give the builders guidelines.

The west Valley was the perfect location because, while there is vacant land in cities like Scottsdale and Chandler, it wasn’t continuous and large enough for a master-planned community. And while all development is a matter of risk, the development of Verrado was a calculated risk, Kelly said, although the recession in the late 2000’s meant that development in the west Valley took longer than was initially expected. Homebuilding and development picked up pace once again in 2016 and 2017.

Over the next few years, Kelly said the intersection at Verrado Way and Interstate 10 will be a particularly hot area for development. That’s where the Costco recently opened, and both Banner Health and Abrazo Community Health Network announced plans to develop hospitals at the intersection. It’s also where the anticipated Verrado Marketplace, developed by DMB Associates and Vestar, is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026.

All of the details with landscaping and architecture, as well as community life, are what Verrado its own unique vibe and a hot spot for new development. While all of the details like tree-lined streets might be more expensive, DMB Associates believes in the long run, Kelly said.