A HISTORY OF VILLA DEL RIO
Prior to being a housing development of 156 homes, the land on which Villa del Rio sits was the nation’s first championship quarter horse race track. In 1940 the Moltacqua Racetrack sat on the 200 acres north of what became the famous Tack Room. Moltacqua means “lots of water” because the Tanque Verde River had an abundance of water in those days and flooded regularly.
In 1946, the land was sold to investors to be developed into a dude ranch, Rancho del Rio, which was open from Thanksgiving to May. Needing more revenue than that generated, The Tack Room Restaurant opened in 1965, which eventually became a world-class 5 star restaurant (eight consecutive years). In 1996, Contra Vest bought the surrounding land and built 107 homes adjacent to Villa del Rio.
Villa del Rio occupies 35 acres of land originally part of the Rancho del Rio. Phase I (Chorro Circle, Placita Chorro and Onda Circle up to lot 24) was developed by a partnership composed of Aetna Real Estate Development and Aetna Life and Casualty in 1972. Subsequently Ponderosa Homes took over the project and began Phase 2 in 1977 (the eastern portion of Onda,Placita Fuente, Placita Nueva and Cascada Circle East and North).
There are 156 single family, detached homes on the property. The “Common Area” means all of the real property owned by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of all. It includes:
- two pools and a spa,
- two lighted tennis courts,
- a small clubhouse or meeting room,
- two miles of sidewalks,
- 2.25 miles of walls
- 91 cast concrete parking slabs for guests
- R.V. storage
- 250+ trees and a host of other plantings
The management and maintenance of the common areas was the developer’s responsibility until September 30, 1978, when it became the responsibility of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA). The C C & R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions), Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and Architectural Guidelines and Standards are our governing documents. A volunteer Board of Directors and various committees have the fiduciary responsibility to the membership to uphold those documents.
There were four original plans for the townhomes: A,B,C, and D. They had detached carports, vaulted ceilings, multiple patios, and atriums - designs considered to be unique and highly desirable for desert living. For Phase 2, models A, B, C, and D had attached carports and the interior designs were modified. The project sold out completely in 1978. Prices for a “D” in Phase 1 started at $56,900 which is $26 per sq. ft. In Phase 2 a “D” model at $69K and about 2200 sq. ft. was only $31 per sq. ft. Recent sales are bringing over $100 per sq. ft. to sellers.
Residents quickly embraced the resort like atmosphere of VDR. Dues were originally $51.50. There were lots of young families, retirees and all ages in between who enjoyed the pools, walks surrounding our property - which was undeveloped down to the Tanque Verde River - parties at the clubhouse and pool area, and many howling coyotes who resided in their habitats nearby. On Saturday nights, those folks living on the south side of the property could open their doors and hear the pianist from the Tack Room entertaining them. One night one of the diners who left the restaurant after a particularly “good time”, plowed his car right through a resident’s patio wall and ended up within feet of a shocked sleeper!
In October of 1983 the Big Flood wreaked havoc for Tucson and especially for people like us living off Sabino Canyon Road. We were truly the “Village on the River”, our translated name. As the rains continued for more than ten days, the TV Wash filled, swelled, and ultimately washed out the bridge on Sabino Canyon Road. The road was being widened at the time and all the asphalt was torn up. Although VDR was spared any damage, those north of us did suffer damage, could not get through for weeks, and we had only one way out - south, through a muddy mess. Eventually the road was finished, with a new, higher bridge. A new development, River Ranch, came in on the newly reinforced river banks and the river walk was built.
Realtors and their buyers are rediscovering all the amenities of the VDR lifestyle, our fabulous location, and the exemplary way it is being maintained and architecturally preserved. This preservation is paramount, given the credentials of our architect, Bennie M. Gonzales. His architectural genius is recognized throughout the world and his concepts and design have been illustrated and celebrated from coast to coast, as well as in Europe and the Orient.
Some of his design elements are regionalism, functionalism, simplicity and fluidity. His projects through his illustrious career include: Scottsdale Civic Center and the Scottsdale Center for the Arts; Hopi Hotel, Museum and Cultural Center, Second Mesa; South Mountain Community College, Phx; Santa Cruz County Public Library, Nogales; Sedona Public Library; The Woodlands in Houston, Texas (home to 150,000 people); a palace for King Kahalid of Saudi Arabia; American Embassy (renovations), Mexico City; St. Pius X Church in Tucson; a gated community much like ours called Las Villas in Scottsdale, which proudly displays a plaque at the entrance designating him as their architect.
He created the classic color scheme used in our development and most of his other projects after many tries at finding the perfect white for Southwest climates, vegetation and light. This special white, called Navajo White, is now a generic term in the paint world.
Mr. Gonazles died Nov. 20,2008. For those of you with computers check out Wikipedia, Bennie Gonzales, for much more information.
By Pamela Samuels, 33 year resident of VDR