Shea Homes seeks zoning approval for West Valley project that once was a dairy farm

By: Angela Gonzales

Shea Homes, which is developing a 280-acre master-planned community in the West Valley, is making its way through the zoning process for the second phase of that project.

Formerly a dairy farm, the land at 75th and Northern avenues is within two cities — Peoria on the north side of 75th Avenue and Glendale on the south side of 75th Avenue.

The homebuilder has been working on this project, called Legacy Place, since the end of 2019. It purchased the last parcel of an 80-year-old dairy farm in Glendale in September 2024, said Jon Fisher, vice president of land acquisition for Shea Homes.

As developer of this master plan, Shea Homes is selling lots to other homebuilders.

Plans call for building 920 homes at Legacy Place, with 60% of the homes being built by Shea Homes and the remainder to be built by other homebuilders, Fisher said.

Shea Homes recently submitted an application to the city of Glendale for preliminary plat approval for Phase II of Legacy Place, which is at the southeast corner of 75th and Northern avenues in Glendale.

This 41-acre section will include 151 single-family lots that will be sold to another homebuilder, Fisher said.

That transaction is expected to close later this year, he said.

The homebuilder has been working on this project, called Legacy Place, since the end of 2019. It purchased the last parcel of an 80-year-old dairy farm in Glendale in September 2024, said Jon Fisher, vice president of land acquisition for Shea Homes.

As developer of this master plan, Shea Homes is selling lots to other homebuilders.

Plans call for building 920 homes at Legacy Place, with 60% of the homes being built by Shea Homes and the remainder to be built by other homebuilders, Fisher said.

Shea Homes recently submitted an application to the city of Glendale for preliminary plat approval for Phase II of Legacy Place, which is at the southeast corner of 75th and Northern avenues in Glendale.

This 41-acre section will include 151 single-family lots that will be sold to another homebuilder, Fisher said.

That transaction is expected to close later this year, he said.

Meanwhile, Shea Homes is selling homes on the northern side of 75th Avenue in Peoria in the first phase of Legacy Place, where prices start in the mid $500,000s, Fisher said.

"Our buyer profile is still move-up luxury," he said.

Legacy Place is near State Farm Stadium and Westgate entertainment complex.

"Last year we sold 240 home sites to K. Hovnanian," Fisher said. "We're currently under contract with a couple of other builders that we can't disclose. That's about 80 acres total."

Shea Homes scouts other Valley land buys

With corporate headquarters in California, Shea Homes operates a regional office in Scottsdale. In its other markets outside of Phoenix, Shea Homes is developer of several master-planned communities.

Fisher is out scouting for land to develop additional master-planned communities, and said he's open to talking to land owners or sellers about potential acquisitions.

Development of Legacy Place comes at a time when mortgage rates and home prices continue to drop.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.3%, according to Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC).

“Mortgage rates decreased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist when releasing the Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Oct. 9.

“Over the last few weeks, mortgage rates have settled in at their lowest level in about a year," Khater said. "There is growing evidence that homebuyers are digesting these lower rates and gradually are willing to move forward with buying a home, which is boosting purchase activity.”

This 41-acre parcel at the southeast corner of 75th and Northern avenues in Glendale is undergoing zoning approval.

Shea Homes

Meanwhile, Shea Homes is selling homes on the northern side of 75th Avenue in Peoria in the first phase of Legacy Place, where prices start in the mid $500,000s, Fisher said.

"Our buyer profile is still move-up luxury," he said.

Legacy Place is near State Farm Stadium and Westgate entertainment complex.

"Last year we sold 240 home sites to K. Hovnanian," Fisher said. "We're currently under contract with a couple of other builders that we can't disclose. That's about 80 acres total."

Shea Homes scouts other Valley land buys

With corporate headquarters in California, Shea Homes operates a regional office in Scottsdale. In its other markets outside of Phoenix, Shea Homes is developer of several master-planned communities.

Fisher is out scouting for land to develop additional master-planned communities, and said he's open to talking to land owners or sellers about potential acquisitions.

Development of Legacy Place comes at a time when mortgage rates and home prices continue to drop.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.3%, according to Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC).

“Mortgage rates decreased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist when releasing the Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Oct. 9.

“Over the last few weeks, mortgage rates have settled in at their lowest level in about a year," Khater said. "There is growing evidence that homebuyers are digesting these lower rates and gradually are willing to move forward with buying a home, which is boosting purchase activity.”

Final Thoughts:
As metro Phoenix’s housing market stays buyer-leaning, more sellers are choosing to pull listings rather than give in to deep concessions or price cuts. With 30% of listings canceled and over half of all home sales involving concessions, sellers are feeling the pinch of a market correction. Still, as inventory begins to dip again, a gradual shift back toward a balanced market could emerge heading into 2026. Patience and pricing strategy will be key for sellers in this changing environment.