Located in southern Arizona, the transformation of Rio Rico begins by emphasizing its great outdoor amenities: the “Rich River” of the Santa Cruz, the Sonoita Creek basin, the San Cayetano Mountains, adjacent State Natural Areas, and the National Historic Anza Trail. These exceptional resources offer unique and varied recreational experiences, providing the catalyst for the Rio Rico renaissance. The new country club, town center and neighborhood communities are designed to celebrate this outdoor lifestyle, appealing to retirees, families and working singles.
As a new front door, the town center redefines the entire community. The town center includes specialty retail and neighborhood commercial districts located near the river, flexible commercial districts located on the west side of the interstate, and residential neighborhoods to the north and south of these districts. Together, these parts create a new mixed-use urban environment unique to the region.
Gateway improvements, bridge enhancements, signage, parks, open space, trail connections and a strong architectural image create a unified message – Rio Rico is a high-quality, environmentally-sensitive community that offers an exceptional, healthy outdoor lifestyle.
Office: EDAW
Client: Avatar Holdings
Contributions: Master planning, design, design guidelines
