Monarch MPC in Marana, now in the heart of it all

MARANA, AZ (June 13, 2025) – As Marana grows, the area around the Town Center and Main Street in Marana continues to grow even faster. The opening of the Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center on Marana Main Street in May brought the largest public recreation center in the Tucson area to life. Opened in 2024, the new Fry’s Marketplace at Gladden Farms is also just minutes from Monarch, a master-planned community by Sunbelt Holdings. What started as a well-located working farm is now becoming one of Southern Arizona’s most exciting new home destinations. Monarch is officially on the map with homes starting in Phase 1 and Phase 2 lots in the works for this Fall. Lennar and Richmond American have already planted flags at Monarch, and the project will look to add to its homebuilder roster in 2025.

Momentum of Monarch

Monarch had been years in the making, gaining its momentum in the past 36 months. Bob Bambauer, Executive Vice President at Sunbelt, said, “We have strategically chosen Tucson sites based on current characteristics like infrastructure and location, but we also look at future potential. Monarch had both.”

Sunbelt made a bold impression with builders Lennar and Richmond American Homes jumping in right away in 2024. The two builders spent in excess of $58,000,000 to buy 551 finished lots. That investment was the kick-start of the community and created instant credibility.

As homes go up this summer and buyers start to move in, Monarch turns from a plan to reality. The community feel is showing up with model homes, paved streets, landscaped and programmed parks, and open space. This momentum will continue into Phase 2 this Fall with the sale of several hundred additional lots, providing runway for many years.

All about the location

There is not just growth in Monarch, but also in Marana itself. The immediate area is seeing strong population growth, expanding schools, new parks, and rising commercial activity,all within minutes of Monarch. The town continues to invest in community resources such as the new Tangerine Farms K-8 school, new and upgraded parks, and the recently opened Aquatic and Recreation Center. One of Monarch’s biggest advantages is location. It is tucked away enough to feel peaceful while also being just minutes from I-10, allowing residents quick access to major job centers around Tucson.

What is near by:

Gladden Farms Elementary (2 Minutes)
Tangerine Farms K-8 (2 Minutes)
Fry’s Marketplace and Local Parks (2-3 Minutes)
Marana Main Street and Northwest Fire Station (3 Minutes)
Marana Aquatic Center and Tangerine Commerce Center (3 Minutes)

Sunbelt Holdings continues to grow in Southern Arizona

Monarch is the latest large-scale project for Sunbelt Holdings in Tucson and one of several under construction. Sunbelt entered the Tucson market in 2013 with the purchase of La Estancia and has since grown to one of the largest master-developers in the metro area. If you are a Tucson homebuilder, you are either in a Sunbelt community or considering one. With a portfolio of six large-scale masterplans located strategically around Tucson, Sunbelt is now positioned to become the largest provider of single-family lots in the marketplace over the next decade. Sunbelt’s roster of projects includes Monarch, La Estancia, Red Rock Village, Sycamore Canyon, Star Valley, and the anticipated Verano MPC, which is scheduled to be marketed later this year.

Phase 2 in the works

Block 2 plat at Monarch is located adjacent to Phase 1 and is expected to get final plat approval in Q3 2024. The timing couldn’t be better as the north Marana area continues to run very tight on “ready now” lot inventory. With 6 homebuilders in the immediate area anticipated to sell out in the next 12-15 months, Monarch gives them all a clear window to make plans, coordinate product lines, and prepare for more runway and a new launch.

Bambauer said “We are excited to obtain approvals on the next phase at Monarch, Block 2. The team at Sunbelt has continued to work to make sure we have seamless, on time lot availability for homebuilders in our Tucson master-plans”

Land Advisors is in charge of the marketing at Monarch.

Will White commented, “We are already getting calls on this next phase. Monarch is in the center of it all in north Marana. It’s the main project there now, and lots will continue to come at a premium. The next phase at Monarch will be the best shovel-ready lots in the entire area this year and will offer builders some of the best inventory in southern Arizona”