New Construction · 85045
Upper Canyon
The first major new master-planned community in Ahwatukee in over a decade — 373 acres, 1,000+ new homes, three builders, and a resort-style amenity package along Chandler Boulevard.
Total acres
373 acres
Total units
≈1,529 (1,050 single-family + 150 build-to-rent townhomes + 329 multifamily)
Builders
3 (Horton · Pulte · Blandford)
First closings
2026
The master plan
Upper Canyon (originally named Canyon Reserve in entitlement docs) is a 373-acre gated master-planned community on former Arizona State Trust Land — purchased at auction for $175.5M (state trust land auction) and now being developed in phases by Blandford Homes (master developer). It runs along Chandler Boulevard between 19th & 27th Avenues in the 85045 ZIP, with Loop 202 (Ed Pastor / South Mountain Freeway) a short drive south.
The plan delivers 1,050 single-family homes, 150 build-to-rent townhomes, and 329 traditional multifamily apartments, plus the amenity center, walking trails, and Chandler Boulevard widened to five lanes along the community frontage.
Three builders are delivering the for-sale single-family homes: D.R. Horton opens first in spring 2026, Pulte Homes follows mid-2026, and Blandford Homes — also the master developer — releases its own product on its own schedule.
Amenities
A resort-style amenity center anchors the community.
- •Gated entry monument
- •Community clubhouse
- •Indoor fitness facility
- •Resort-style pool with dedicated lap lanes
- •Spa / hot tub
- •Pickleball courts
- •Basketball court
- •Cornhole and lawn games
- •Event lawn and open turf areas
- •Adventure playground
- •Ramadas and shade structures
- •BBQ stations and picnic tables
- •Walking and nature trails
- •Botanical garden
The builders
D.R. HortonTradition Series
Sales opening late March / early April 2026
Opening
Late Q1 / early Q2 2026
Starting price
From the low $600Ks
Square footage
1,314+ sqft
Bedrooms
3–5 bedrooms
Bathrooms
2–3 bathrooms
Garage
2-car garage
Stories
1 or 2 stories
Sales line
Model address2231 W Saltsage Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85045
Floor plans
| Plan | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbot | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Baxter | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Caden | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Easton | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Gaven | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Hayden | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Ibis | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Mitchell | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
| Pelican | — | — | — | Tradition Series |
Pulte Homes
Models opening mid-2026; waitlist open
Opening
Mid 2026
Starting price
Pricing coming soon
Square footage
1,557 – 3,610 sqft
Bedrooms
3–5 bedrooms
Bathrooms
2–4.5 bathrooms
Garage
2–3 car garage
Stories
1 or 2 stories
15 floor plans across multiple series — Pulte's largest plan at Upper Canyon is the Messina at 3,610 sqft.
Floor plans
| Plan | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hewitt II | 3 | 2 | — | Flex space for playroom or den |
| Parklane | 3 | 2.5 | 2,475 | |
| Avelino | 4 | 3 | 2,432 | |
| Firwood | 4 | 3.5 | 2,719 | |
| Prato | 4 | 2.5 | 2,814 | |
| Casoria | 4 | 3.5 | 3,328 | |
| Messina | 5 | 3.5 | 3,610 |
Blandford Homes
Coming 2026 — interest list open
Sales agentsTerry Lents & Justin Lents
Blandford is the master developer for the entire Upper Canyon project. Plan details and pricing for their direct builds will release closer to model openings.
Schools
Kyrene & Tempe Union
Upper Canyon falls within two of the best-regarded school districts in the East Valley.
- Elementary / MiddleKyrene School District (Kyrene de la Estrella & Kyrene Akimel A-al boundaries)
- HighTempe Union High School District (Mountain Pointe High School boundary)
Verify exact boundaries with the district before writing an offer — boundary lines on a new master-planned community can shift during build-out.
Location & access
85045, on the west edge of Ahwatukee
Chandler Boulevard between 19th & 27th Avenues
FreewayLoop 202 (Ed Pastor / South Mountain Freeway)
Sky Harbor is roughly 20 minutes via I-10. Tempe / ASU is 15. Downtown Chandler 10.
Thinking about Upper Canyon?
Use a buyer's agent who lives in Ahwatukee.
Ryan Melville has been an Ahwatukee REALTOR® for years and represents buyers at Upper Canyon. Using a buyer's agent costs you nothing — the builder pays the commission — and you get a second set of eyes on contracts, options, timelines, and lot selection.
Sources
- Blandford Homes — Upper Canyon
- D.R. Horton — Upper Canyon
- Pulte Homes — Upper Canyon
- AZBEX — Master Plan Unveiled for Ahwatukee State Trust Land
- Ahwatukee Foothills News — $300M Upper Canyon project will involve 3 builders
Pricing, square footage, and timelines are subject to change. Verify directly with each builder before writing an offer. Last updated May 2026.