Agritopia, Gilbert, AZ
ClozeEZ's guide to Agritopia, Gilbert: Agritopia is a 166-acre planned community at Ray and Higley roads in southeast Gilbert, and one of the original American "agrihoods": a neighborhood built around a working farm rather than over one. 606 Gilbert homes are for sale on ClozeEZ today.
The land was homesteaded in 1927 and bought by Jim and Virginia Johnston in 1960; their son Joe, a Stanford-trained engineer, chose to develop it himself rather than sell to a homebuilder, breaking ground on homes in 2003.
The result is roughly 450 to 500 homes in neotraditional architecture drawing on early-20th-century Arizona styles: front porches, alley-loaded garages, and narrow walkable streets, with a certified-organic farm at the center. Every major commercial building is a repurposed farm structure: the family ranch house became a restaurant, the tractor shed became a coffee shop, the barn became a maker collective.
Next door, the roughly 20-acre Epicenter at Agritopia adds about 50,000 square feet of retail and dining plus 320 residences, giving the neighborhood an unusual density of walkable destinations for suburban Gilbert.
Around Agritopia
Restaurants & coffee
- Joe's Farm Grill: Opened in 2006 inside the Johnston family's converted 1960s ranch house, and featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
- The Coffee Shop: The farm's old tractor shed converted into a cafe; it won an episode of Cupcake Wars.
- Barnone: The family barn reimagined as a craftsmen collective housing about a dozen independent makers; not a food hall, but a genuine mixed workshop.
- 12 West Brewing and Garage-East: A production brewery with a taproom and an urban winery making Arizona wine on site, both inside Barnone.
- Fire & Brimstone and The Uprooted Kitchen: A wood-fired restaurant with house-made breads and a plant-based restaurant, both in Barnone.
- Buck & Rider and Matt's Big Breakfast: Two of Epicenter's anchor restaurants, joined by Spinato's Pizzeria, Salt & Straw, Peixoto Coffee, and UnderTow.
Shopping
- Epicenter at Agritopia: A roughly 20-acre mixed-use district at Ray and Higley with about 50,000 square feet of retail and dining alongside 320 residences.
Attractions & parks
- Agritopia Farm: The USDA-certified organic farm at the community's center, growing artichokes, peaches, olives, citrus, and vegetables, with sheep and chickens and a resident farm-box program.
- Community garden and orchards: Resident garden plots and fruit orchards woven through the neighborhood, plus a children's play area.
- Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch: A 110-acre Gilbert preserve about 15 minutes north with 4.5+ miles of trails, a public observatory, and 200+ bird species.
Gyms & fitness
- Epicenter fitness studios: Barre3, The Collective strength and cycle studio, and Rise Health, all within walking distance at Epicenter.
Getting around
- Loop 202 Santan and US-60: Loop 202 Santan runs south of the community and US-60 north, with Sky Harbor roughly 20-30 minutes northwest.
Selling in Agritopia? Keep your equity.
List your Agritopia home free on ClozeEZ and sell without a listing commission: a flat $200 Platform Success Fee is owed only if your home closes.
Agritopia: frequently asked questions
What is an agrihood, and is Agritopia one?
An agrihood is a residential community built around a working farm instead of replacing one. Agritopia is among the original American examples: a certified-organic farm sits at its center, and residents can buy into a farm-box program.
Is the Agritopia farm actually working?
Yes. It is USDA-certified organic, growing artichokes, peaches, olives, citrus, and vegetables, and keeping sheep and chickens. It is the community's social center, not landscaping.
What is Barnone?
The Johnston family's barn converted into a craftsmen collective of roughly a dozen independent makers: a brewery, an urban winery, restaurants, a machine shop, and other trades under one roof.
What kinds of homes are in Agritopia?
Roughly 450 to 500 single-family homes, cottages, and bungalows in neotraditional styles, with front porches, alley-loaded garages, and walkable streets. Construction began in 2003.
Is there golf in Agritopia?
No course inside the community. Nearby options include the public Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch and the private Seville Golf & Country Club.