Tony homes sprouting in Wickenburg

Wickenburg, once touted as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the World,” has evolved into a residential hot spot with some of the most luxurious homes in Maricopa County.

In the past six years, Wickenburg’s annexation has doubled its population, and town officials are reviewing proposals for 16 residential projects totaling more than 6,200 units.

By year’s end, some of these projects will place the town limits well into Yavapai County.

But as Wickenburg grows and attracts more residents, officials promise to preserve the town’s historic charm.

“We’re getting to a pinnacle where the town will change somewhat, but our heritage is still in place,” said Julie Macias Brooks, executive director of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce.

Construction is under way at Monte Vista Ranch, a 300-acre community one mile from downtown.

The community is Wickenburg’s first luxury master-planned gated community since Rancho de los Caballeros (still a working guest ranch) began selling custom home lots more than 50 years ago.

From 1926 to 1965, Monte Vista Ranch was also a working guest ranch that attracted worldwide visitors, movie stars and even presidents.

Keith Schuck, whose family has owned the ranch for three generations, is the project’s lead developer, along with custom-home builder Tom Hogue.

Schuck sought to design Monte Vista Ranch as an intimate community with 115 homes. It offers 50 custom home lots from 2 to 15 acres that range from $395,000 to $1.1 million.

Almost half of the lots have been sold and two are completed, with 10,000 and 13,000 square feet under the roofs.

The community also offers 15 luxury villas with features that blend into the landscape, such as weathered wooden beams, natural stone veneers, denim-stained concrete floors and hammered copper countertops.

Buyers can choose from three styles ranging from 2,400 to 3,400 square feet with price tags exceeding $1 million.

“The views from every lot are incredible,” Schuck said.

Adjacent to the ranch is an equestrian center with boarding stables, a show ring and paddock area.

The largest residential development in the works is a 2,160-acre development in Yavapai County that will be annexed into the town limits…

As such developments increase the town’s population and bring thousands of new rooftops, Macias Brooks said, Wickenburg will not grow out of control, because all of the projects align with the town’s general plan.

“We never want to lose our character,” Macias Brooks said. “These little Arizona communities need to protect their heritage, and those of us that have long histories are taking every effort to maintain that,”