Aerial drone photo of Epicenter, developed by Johnston & Co, featuring elevated loft living on top of retail and restaurants. Located in the Agritopia agrihood community in Gilbert, Arizona.

Outdoor photo of Joe's Farm Grill, developed by Johnston & Co in Gilbert, Arizona, a local restaurant within the Agritopia agrihood community featuring locally sourced ingredients in.

Outdoor walkway leading to the Agritopia Farm Store and Barnone, developed by Johnston & Co in Gilbert, Arizona, repurposed farm buildings in the Agritopia agrihood community selling locally grown goods and hosting local craftsmen.

Front entrance of the Coffee Shop in the Agritopia agrihood community, developed by Johnston & Co in Gilbert, Arizona. Offering coffee, cupcakes, and food to the local neighborhood.

Johnston & Co. is a multi-disciplinary development firm with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on agrihood development, small business support, and fostering food-centered communities.

Agritopia®

Where people come together

The Farm

Originally purchased in 1960 by Jim Johnston, the farmland has since evolved into Agritopia Farm, where commercial and community gardens thrive. Agritopia Farm embodies three guiding principles: production, beauty, and education. The USDA certified organic farm supplies local restaurants and the community with fresh produce from three distinct areas: row crops, a citrus and stone fruit orchard, and a section dedicated to Medjool dates and olives. Additionally, the tranquil biblical garden and vibrant community garden provide spaces for both personal cultivation and communal enjoyment, fostering a shared gardening experience.

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A green house with neighbors walking their dog through the Agritopia agrihood community developed by Johnston & Co in Gilbert, Arizona.

The Community

It all began in the year 2000 during Gilbert's rapid suburban expansion when Joe Johnston envisioned creating a community that honored his family’s farmland history and traditions while offering a modern village experience. His focus on bringing people together through urban agriculture paved the way for the development of Agritopia.

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To preserve the heritage and tradition of the original farmland, Johnston & Co repurposed several iconic buildings on the property, transforming them into thriving businesses. These include Joe’s Farm Grill, built from the Johnston family’s farmhouse, The Coffee Shop, formerly a tractor shed, and Barnone—a quonset hut barn renovated to house and highlight small, local makers and businesses. The original farmhouse, dating before the property was purchased in 1960, now serves as the Johnston & Co office.

Barnone

Joe’s Farm Grill

The Coffee Shop

In 2015, the Arizona Urban Agriculture Foundation was established with a focus on preserving urban farming in Arizona through production, beauty, and education. The foundation hosts a variety of workshops, educational tours, events, and provides plots for community gardens to local gardening enthusiasts.

Epicenter

Village roots. Urban Heights.

Residental & Commercial

Seamlessly integrated into the community of Agritopia, this vibrant mixed-use development embodies the principles of modern urban living, emphasizing convenience, community, and a high quality of life. Located on the corner of Ray and Higley, Epicenter has enhanced the community as a dynamic and desirable place to live, work, and play in Gilbert, Arizona. The innovative design of Epicenter features 320 elevated loft-style apartments situated above a curated selection of restaurants and retail spaces, creating a cohesive community where residents can enjoy the best of the valley in a walkable urban setting.

The connection and proximity to the Agirtopia Farm enriches the living experience, providing residents with access to community gardens, farm-to-table dining options, and a scenic agricultural backdrop. The concept of residence above commercial spaces fosters a sense of community, encouraging interactions and engagement among residents and business owners. With its array of hand-picked dining and shopping options, Epicenter not only serves the immediate neighborhood but also attracts visitors from across Gilbert, contributing to the town’s cultural and economic vitality. This harmonious blend of urban amenities and agricultural charm makes Epicenter a truly unique and appealing place to call home.

Awards & Recognitions

2024 RED Awards
Mixed-Use Project of the Year

Wall Street Journal
“The American Southwest is Finally Starting to Embrace Vertical Living”

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The Johnston family poses in a cotton field on the farm in the 60's. This is now the location of the Agritopia agrihood community developed by Johnston & Co in Gilbert, Arizona.

For generations, the Johnston family has pursued innovation & entrepreneurship with a focus on tradition and honest hard work.

In 1897, Herbert L. Johnston founded the Hobart Manufacturing Company with the aim of adapting the electric motor to foodservice equipment, revolutionizing kitchen productivity. He later introduced a consumer line under the KitchenAid brand, amassing over 120 patents. His son, Edward S. Johnston, continued in engineering with Hobart and rose to become Vice-President of the company. Edward was awarded several patents and played a key role in establishing Hobart and KitchenAid in South America. He also managed the firm during World War II, overseeing the production shift to wartime equipment. Today, Hobart and KitchenAid remain benchmarks of quality and U.S. manufacturing in the culinary field.

In 1960, Jim Johnston and his wife Virginia purchased a plot of land in Gilbert, Arizona, where they built a working farm and a home for their three boys. The Johnston family cherished their rural existence. Jim cultivated cotton and wheat, and the boys attended nearby schools, working on the farm during summers. The younger sons, Steve and Paul, majored in agriculture at The University of Arizona, returning to work on the family farm after graduation. The eldest son, Joe, graduated from Stanford University with an engineering degree.

By the late 1990s, as Gilbert's rapid growth brought suburban development close to the farm, the Johnston’s began brainstorming ways to preserve their land.