Teravalis opens massive Buckeye master-planned community

Article originally posted on AZ Big Media on November 17, 2025

Christmas came early for the stakeholders of Buckeye master-planned community, Teravalis. They celebrated the ceremonial ribbon cutting and grand opening during a private ceremony on Nov. 14.

Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn said he is thrilled about the opening and partnering with JDM Partners and Howard Hughes Holdings.

“They’re the largest master plan developer in the country,” he said. “You look at their projects that exist and it doesn’t get much better.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs seemingly seconded that thought. The project will house about 300,000 Arizonans who will create their own memories and build their lives.

For example, she said in 1976, her parents bought a home here for $40,000.

“It was a home where my siblings and I could grow up, where we could make memories and build a life as a family,” Hobbs said.

“It wasn’t always easy, but with hard work, my parents built a good life for us, it’s about time that we make that life a reality for more Arizonans, and so that more Arizonans can have an affordable quality of life.”

She added Arizona needs to build more homes and lower the cost of housing. Hobbs wants every Arizonan to enjoy the stability and security of a home to call their own.

Hobbs also discussed the state’s water future.

“Despite what some might say, we can make homeownership a reality for more Arizonans while protecting our water future,” Hobbs said.

“This community will be a testament to the fact that water sustainability and growth are not tradeoffs. They go hand in hand. Growth cannot happen without water sustainability, and that is why I’m so pleased to see the innovative water conservation measures that Howard Hughes is employing right here.”

The “booming semiconductor ecosystem” led by TSMC, Intel and Amkor are calling for more housing. Before Hobbs took office, the Department of Housing estimated that the state needed to add 270,000 housing units to catch up with the population growth. Maricopa County added more housing units in 2024 than any other county in the nation.

“The economy has boomed,” Hobbs said.

“Our population has boomed along with it. The state has doubled in size since the 1980s and the city of Buckeye is nearly 20 times larger than it was in 2000 and the city is not even 20% of the way to being fully built out.”

Stakeholders gathered on Nov. 14 at Teravalis, a master-planned community in Buckeye, for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and Besides Hobbs and Orsborn, stakeholders included David O’Reilly, CEO of Howard Hughes; Charley Freericks, president of the Arizona Region for Howard Hughes Communities; and Jerry Colangelo of JDM Partners.

The party continues Saturday, Nov. 15, with Floreo Fest at Teravalis, a public grand opening when visitors can tour 20 model homes by seven builders. Century Communities, Courtland Communities, DRB Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Meritage Homes, and New Home Co. have partnered with Teravalis.

Floreo Fest follows the recent groundbreaking of the community’s 22,000-square-foot Echo Community Center and marks the beginning of decades of growth west of the White Tank Mountains.

“It’s a momentous first for the history of this region,” said Charley Freericks, president of the Arizona region, Howard Hughes Communities.

“It’s a commitment of many of us to get here today. Most of all, it’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in Arizona’s growth. It’s a 37,000-acre vision built around innovation, sustainability and community.”

O’Reilly said Howard Hughes Holdings is excited about the project’s progress.

“This has been years in the making, and to think about all the progress that has been made in just such a short period of time is nothing short of remarkable.”

He introduced Hobbs, saying, “She’s truly keeping the legacy of westward expansion alive and well.”

Colangelo brokered the $600 million deal in the West Valley, and recruited Howard Hughes there.

“You dream big. You don’t dream small,” Colangelo said in a brief presentation. “I want to go back 20 some years ago when my two partners and I came out to look at this property, and it was never a matter of, if it was only a matter of when.”

Howard Hughes Communities’ Kate Kaminski said she is proud of the partnership.

“We have hit the lottery with this team that’s out here,” she said.

“Buckeye has and always will be committed to smart, sustainable growth, growth that creates opportunities while protecting the natural beauty and character of this land. Terra balance embodies that vision perfectly.”

Buckeye is attracting major projects and industries that bring thousands of jobs and long-term economic strength, Orsborn said.

“Teravalis will play a role in that growth. We were just talking about that this morning, creating not only beautiful places to live, but also new commercial and employment centers that attract business investment, support local schools, churches and sustain the region for generations.

“This community is proof of what happens when vision meets collaboration, when a city and its partners share the belief that growth should serve people first. On behalf of the entire Buckeye City Council, I want to thank Howard Hughes communities and everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality. We are proud to welcome Teravalis to the Buckeye family, and know that you will prosper here.”