Solstice Foothills: A New Era for Harvard Investments’ West Valley Vision

Solstice Foothills is the new name for a site with a long and evolving identity located in the City of Goodyear, Arizona. The 1,864-acre property was once known as King Ranch and later became Rio 1900.

It is now entering its next chapter under a name that reflects both the desert landscape and the community Harvard Investments is shaping in the Metro Phoenix West Valley.

The transition to Solstice Foothills comes at a pivotal moment. With recent land acquisitions and a newly approved General Plan amendment from the City of Goodyear, the master planned community is moving forward with a clearer vision, one rooted in connectivity, stewardship, and a strong sense of place.

That momentum accelerated with Harvard Investments’ acquisition of two 40-acre Arizona State Land parcels that sat within the project boundary. The parcels were challenging, located in a floodplain and surrounded by land Harvard already owned. However, they were essential to the integrity of the master plan.

“We did zone the two parcels with our master zoning … If we didn’t win, it would have put a donut hole in the middle,” said Amy Weidman, Vice President of Development with Harvard Investments. “The acquisition ensures a contiguous community design, including an uninterrupted trail system along the Gila River.”

The land’s unusual characteristics discouraged other bidders, but for Harvard, the acquisition was critical. Without it, the community’s design would have been fragmented.

“The continuity of the trail along the Gila is important,” Weidman said. “It finishes the Rio Reimagined vision along the Gila and gives the final look and feel.”

That sense of completeness is echoed in the community’s new name: Solstice Foothills. After a naming exercise that began with roughly 30 options, Harvard Investments chose a name rooted in the rhythms of the desert and the movement of the sun.

“Solstice reflects the two defining points of the year, the winter and summer moments when the sun reaches its lowest and highest positions,” Weidman said. “It’s a marker of time and a celebration of life. For us, the name felt like a natural signature for the community.”

The name also reflects the physical character of the land: its foothills, its topographical elevation changes, and its proximity to the Gila River. Few communities in the region can claim such a setting.

“There are no residential communities that have been developed along the river yet,” Weidman said. “Solstice Foothills will be the first development to set the standards for the Rio Trail in the West Valley. It is such a unique piece of land where you have varied topography, a master plan that is designed to celebrate all aspects of the natural desert and supports and builds off the vision of the Rio Trail system, which is critical to the overall vision.”

Solstice Foothills is moving toward its first phase of infrastructure, with the community scheduled to break ground in early 2028. Harvard Investments is approaching the development with a strong sense of responsibility. The West Valley is one of the fastest-growing corridors in the country, and the company is planning carefully, especially when it comes to water.

“We are very cognizant of the water challenges facing Arizona,” Weidman said.

The first phase should focus on water and sewer infrastructure. The landscape palette will emphasize Sonoran Desert native plant materials. Turf will be used sparingly, and only where functional.

“We need to remain as water efficient as possible to be good stewards with this valuable resource,” she said.

Harvard is also designing amenities that reduce the need for private, water-intensive features. A community pool, for example, can give residents a shared alternative to building their own.

“Providing the amenities that homeowners can enjoy so they don’t need to build their own” is part of the company’s approach to responsible development, Weidman said.Walkability and outdoor living are central to the community’s vision. Drawing on insights from Estrella, Harvard’s flagship West Valley community, Weidman notes that residents today are more active and more connected to the outdoors than ever.

“The community’s trail system will be more than a recreational amenity. It will be a framework for connection,” Weidman said. “It will weave through neighbourhoods and along the river corridor. The paths will invite residents to walk, explore, and engage with the desert landscape. Interpretive signage will share the story of the ecosystem, turning the trails into an outdoor classroom while also supporting wellness, social connection, and a strong sense of place.”

The community center at Solstice Foothills anticipates reflecting this outdoor-forward lifestyle. It is still in the planning stages, but plans call for a resort-style pool, plenty of shade, shared spaces for residents to gather, and grass areas for play. The design encourages residents to spend time outside.

Housing diversity is another priority. With up to 5,800 homes planned, Solstice Foothills plans to offer a wide range of residential options. This includes larger lots to lock and leave homes suited for seasonal residents.

The zoning supports everything from multifamily to executive-level housing, all organized around the walkability framework. Higher-density homes will be located near the commercial core, giving residents the ability to walk to groceries, fitness options, and neighbourhood favourites like local coffee shops, breweries, and ice cream shops.

“We want to bring the type of commercial that residents want,” Weidman said. “They want to walk and get a meal and drink.”

Solstice Foothills sits adjacent to Estrella, but the two communities are intentionally distinct.

“This is the front door to Estrella,” Weidman said. “One of the reasons we bought the property was so we could control what the front door looks like. The focus is on attracting a different buyer profile. We want to make sure we are segmenting from Estrella and not looking for the same buyer.”

The community anticipates featuring some of the same builders, but with different products. Harvard is exploring opportunities for niche builders who specialize in unique product offerings that aren’t typically found in every community.

Looking ahead, Weidman is most excited about the unique nature of the place itself.The first homes at Solstice Foothills are expected in 2030, but the identity of the community is already taking shape. It is an identity rooted in the land, connected to the sun, and designed for a new generation of homeowners.

“With its hillsides, elevations, and the river, Solstice Foothills will be unlike anything else in the West Valley,” Weidman added.

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