Gilbert, Arizona’s connection with agricultural history can be traced back to the 1920s when rural farms produced crops in the area. In 1966, the Old Potato Barn was built to store the community’s potato supply. The once-useful structure has stood vacant for years. However, the Old Potato Barn is coming back as the Higley Barns Project. Here is how a historic Gilbert property is getting a new life as a mixed-use development.
The Higley Barns Project
In June, the City of Gilbert approved The Higley Barns adaptive reuse project. The multi-million-dollar mixed-use development will involve renovating the Old Potato Barn located at 3545 E. Williams Field Rd., into a multi-tenant space. The plans include adding three buildings to the three acre-site: an 8,000 square-foot building, a 10,000 square-foot building, and a 14,000 square-foot building.
The new owners are siblings Andrea Willey, Brandon Smith, and Jeremy Smith. They also own Central Arizona Supply, an Arizona plumbing supply and appliance company that has been in the family for fifty years. Co-owner Jeremy Smith said of the venture, “It has always been our vision to create a community-focused collection of restaurants, shops, and home products in a landmark location that has such history in Gilbert.” He went on to say that, “The Higley Barns will become a mercantile for goods, services, history, art, music, entertainment, and culinary, all within a gathering place that enriches the surrounding community in a meaningful way.”
Plans for the new property include a twelfth Arizona Supply location within two areas of the property. ?The Smiths will use 10,000 square-feet for a plumbing and appliance showroom for luxury kitchen and bath plumbing, appliances, and designer lighting. The 8,000 square-foot building will house the company?s plumbing supply and parts counter and warehouse. The remaining two buildings, and the other half of the barn, will be available for purchase or lease.
“The Higley Barns location will be our first showroom in nearly a decade, and with it, we aim to raise the bar nationally with how clients and home professionals experience all of these design elements in one beautifully curated environment that honors the home,” said Smith. “From working kitchens and cutting-edge products on display to local chefs hosting cooking demos for the community, it will be a fun and inspiring place to gather and collaborate.”
Brick & West Design has been hired as the project?s architect. Construction of the Higley Barns mixed-use project is scheduled to begin this fall, with completion expected in summer 2021.
Laura B. Bramnick is an Arizona real estate attorney with the knowledge and experience you need to protect your interests during every stage of your real estate matter. If you are seeking an exceptional, client-driven real estate lawyer in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Sedona, and throughout the State of Arizona, contact Laura B. Bramnick to schedule your consultation.