Underscoring a resolute commitment to creating the West Valley’s most vibrant and thriving community, Estrella Development Company and award-winning homebuilders Lennar and Richmond American Homes broke ground recently on 508 homesites at the village of Montecito at Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona.

Jeff Zimmerman, vice president of development for Estrella Development Company, said the future homesites mark a new chapter for the innovative and dynamic community of Estrella.

“Over the past year, we have successfully sold 719 homesites within the villages of Lucero and Montecito. This achievement highlights Estrella’s appeal and the strong demand for quality housing in our master-planned community,” Zimmerman said. “The recent sale of 508 homesites in Montecito to renowned national homebuilders Lennar and Richmond American Homes is a testament to the trust and confidence that these award-winning builders have in our vision. These partnerships are essential in delivering high-quality homes to our residents.”

As the West Valley experiences a boom in quality employment, commercial, entertainment, and retail offerings, homebuilders are increasingly turning their attention to the neighborhoods that Estrella provides, Zimmerman said, adding that “our community is perfectly positioned to benefit from this growth.”


MORE NEWS: The hottest housing markets, according to Phoenix REALTORS


Estrella, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Southwest, is located in the bustling West Valley, in one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S. The new neighborhoods will offer a variety of home styles and floor plans to meet the diverse needs and preferences of modern singles, couples, and families. 

The groundbreaking, which drew more than 350 people, was attended by officials with the City of Goodyear, including Mayor Joe Pizzillo, Vice Mayor Wally Campbell, and Councilwoman Benita Beckles, and stakeholders associated with the project.

“This purchase represents a continuation of our legacy of building at Estrella over the years. We firmly believe in Estrella and with the West Valley’s booming economy, coupled with Estrella’s well-planned infrastructure and vibrant community spirit, we’re confident this is an ideal place for families to call home,” said Jeff Gunderson, senior vice president | land operations, with Lennar.

Estrella is a joint venture with Scottsdale-based Harvard Investments, Toll Brothers, and Värde Partners. It has been instrumental in bringing unparalleled expertise and resources to Estrella. This collaboration assures the delivery of a top-tier development that meets the highest standards of quality, design, and livability.

“In just three short years under this new leadership, Estrella has made remarkable strides. We’ve seen significant milestones achieved and are planning a bright future ahead,” said Harvard Investments President Tim Brislin. “The community looks better – and lives better – and those improvements are benefitting current residents and hundreds of folks who move to Estrella in the near future.”

Metro Phoenix is witnessing the nationally-recognized Goodyear growth in real time. Its weekly announcements of new restaurants, office, manufacturing, entertainment, and solid job creation, combined with Estrella’s excellent location, amenities and well-planned infrastructure, make this rare combination an ideal place for families to thrive, said Richmond American Homes Division President Rick Morris.

“Richmond American Homes has remained committed to Estrella because of its comprehensive development plan that aligns with our vision of creating first-class living options. We have been building at Estrella for many years but the opportunity to be part of this dynamic new reset was particularly enticing,” Morris said.

The project team includes Silver Fern Companies, Otago Development, Rummel Construction, DCS Contracting, Rhino Contracting, and Land Advisors Organization.

After the groundbreaking ceremonies, a “Touch-A-Truck” kids’ event was held. It was their chance to engage with the earth-moving equipment that will help shape the new neighborhoods.