James Attwood is spending more and more time in San Tan Valley.
The Arizona division president for Tri Pointe Homes is seeing the fruits of a more than three-year transformation of 450 acres of land near Phoenix into a master-planned community.
Tri Pointe's Soleo development comes as new retail, infrastructure and residents have made their way to San Tan Valley — an emerging destination roughly about 45 miles southeast of Phoenix.
In August, residents of the town overwhelmingly voted in favor of incorporating San Tan Valley into Pinal County.
"You see, driving out here, you've got everything under the sun," Atwood said.
San Tan Valley emerges in southeast Phoenix
With new developments coming to life outside of Soleo, Attwood is seeing a payoff from its investment in San Tan Valley.
"We've had a huge presence in the Southeast Valley over the years in Chandler and Gilbert and Queen Creek," Atwood said in an interview with Homes.com. "San Tan Valley now is effectively kind of that extension from Queen Creek."
Tri Pointe controls a little over 160 acres in Soleo, and has sold just over 40 homes in the community as of Oct. 31.
The first families moved into Soleo this summer, and Tri Pointe is closing contracts for other new-build homes in the emerging community. Other builders such as Mattamy Homes, David Weekley Homes and PulteGroup have also joined the development.
Builder leans into surrounding roots
The name "Soleo" refers to the process for drying grapes in the sun before they're pressed. It's a nod to the agrarian theme that pervades single-family and mixed-use developments throughout the Southeast Valley — a prominent farming area in Phoenix.
Olive trees are also featured throughout the development, and Tri Pointe said it drew inspiration both architecturally and in its landscape design from the nearby Queen Creek Olive Mill — a landmark in the Southeast Valley.
Tri Pointe built several "pocket parks" throughout the community, designed to ensure that every home is within a five-minute walk of a park.
A 15-acre community center called "Tapestry Park" is a centerpiece for Soleo. It includes a 2-acre lake, sports fields, an outdoor pool, fire pit and lawn for concerts and parties.
There are 17 floorplans that are spread across four neighborhoods in Soleo. Lots range in size from 5,760 square feet up to 8,450 square feet. Prices start from the mid-$400,000s.
Tri Pointe ramps up throughout Phoenix
Attwood said Tri Pointe focuses on being a "move-up" option for buyers, rather than delivering entry-level options.
Homes in San Tan Valley carry an average value of just over $450,000 — roughly $100,000 below the average home value across Phoenix.
Outside of Soleo, Tri Pointe will open communities, Abel Ranch in Goodyear and Emberly in Gilbert, next year. Attwood said Tri Pointe is also ready to start development in 2026 on Lusitano in Gilbert and Aloravita in Peoria.
Tri Pointe is the nation's 15th largest homebuilder based on 6,460 total closings in 2024, according to Builder Magazine.