Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale.
A horse ranch turned
gated golf community.
Gainey Ranch is a gated planned community in central Scottsdale, built on 560 acres that Markland Properties bought from Arabian horse breeder Daniel C. Gainey in 1980. The Gainey Ranch Community Association lists 1,035 residential memberships and 19 neighborhoods, and the golf club has 27 holes.
Gainey Ranch on the map
Approximate outline drawn around the recorded subdivision plats named for Gainey Ranch on the Maricopa County Assessor map. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A planned community built on 560 acres
Gainey Ranch is a gated planned community in central Scottsdale, ZIP code 85258. The Gainey Ranch Community Association (GRCA) states that in 1980 Markland Properties bought 560 acres from Daniel C. Gainey to build it (GRCA, Who We Are). The association office is at 7720 Gainey Ranch Road.
The City of Scottsdale names Gainey Ranch among its large planned communities, which began in the early 1970s (Scottsdale History).
Class rings, Arabians and a Canadian developer
The GRCA history describes Daniel C. Gainey as a Minnesotan who earned his fortune selling school class rings and became known internationally for breeding Arabian horses. His Scottsdale ranch stabled 30 to 40 of his 100 Arabians, grazed a herd averaging 160 Hereford cattle and grew crops.
Markland Properties, which bought the land in 1980, was formed by Markborough Properties, a Toronto company owned by Canada's Hudson's Bay Company. Groundbreaking began by the mid-1980s, and the community kept the Gainey name.
The original Gainey family house was converted into the Estate Club, the association's clubhouse.
Estate Club and 27 holes
- Gainey Ranch Golf Club, 7600 E. Gainey Club Dr.Three nine-hole courses, the Lakes, the Dunes and the Arroyo, for 27 holes in all (Gainey Ranch Golf Club).
- The Estate Club.The former Gainey family house, now the association clubhouse, with a pool, tennis and pickleball courts, wellness programs and clubhouse rentals (gaineyranchca.com).
- Three gates.The GRCA lists a West Gate staffed 24 hours a day, an East Gate open 6 a.m. to midnight daily, and a North Gate open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.
Nineteen neighborhoods, two layers of association
The GRCA lists 1,035 residential memberships, one per lot or unit, and 348 nonresidential memberships. Its text says each residential community has its own satellite association, a smaller association under the master GRCA.
The GRCA lists these neighborhoods by name. The single-family neighborhoods are Arroyo Vista, The Enclave, The Enclave II, The Estates, Golf Villas, Golf Villas III, The Greens, Lakeview, The Legend, North Meadow, North Meadow II and Vaquero Drive. The condominium neighborhoods are The Courts, 8989 Gainey Center Drive, 7400 Gainey Club Drive, The Golf Cottages, The Pavilions, The Oasis and Sunset Cove.
The GRCA describes The Legend, for example, as 55 single-family homes on the golf course (The Legend).
Master association
The GRCA runs the gates, the Estate Club and the common areas across Gainey Ranch.
Satellite association
The association for one neighborhood inside Gainey Ranch, with its own recorded rules and dues.
Not historic
Gainey Ranch is a planned community, not a listed historic district.
Gainey Ranch, answered
Where is Gainey Ranch?
Gainey Ranch is a gated planned community in central Scottsdale, ZIP code 85258. The association office is at 7720 Gainey Ranch Road.
Who was Gainey Ranch named for?
Daniel C. Gainey, a Minnesotan who earned his fortune selling school class rings and bred Arabian horses on the Scottsdale ranch.
When was Gainey Ranch developed?
Markland Properties bought 560 acres from Daniel C. Gainey in 1980, and groundbreaking began by the mid-1980s.
How many homes are in Gainey Ranch?
The Gainey Ranch Community Association lists 1,035 residential memberships, one per lot or unit.
Is Gainey Ranch gated?
Yes. The association lists three gates: West, East and North, each with its own hours.
How many golf holes does Gainey Ranch have?
Gainey Ranch Golf Club has three nine-hole courses, the Lakes, the Dunes and the Arroyo, for 27 holes.
What is the Estate Club?
The original Gainey family house, converted into the association clubhouse, with a pool, tennis and pickleball courts.
Is Gainey Ranch a historic district?
No. Gainey Ranch is a planned community, not a listed historic district.
Looking at Gainey Ranch?
Which satellite association a home sits in, its recorded CC&Rs, lot size and construction year are in the county and association records. Send me the addresses and I will pull them. Text me at 480-485-4261.
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Sources: Gainey Ranch Community Association, Who We Are, home page and The Legend; Gainey Ranch Golf Club; City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale History. All checked 28 October 2026.