SkyMall Founder Lists Off-Grid Arizona Ranch for $9.5 Million

Bob Worsley, the founder of SkyMall and a former Arizona state senator, has listed his family's off-grid retreat in Heber, Arizona, for $9.475 million. The 35-acre property, known as Legacy Lodge, features a substantial 18,952-square-foot lodge constructed by Pioneer Log Homes in 2000. This expansive log cabin was designed by Worsley as a gathering place for his family, intended to foster traditions and family values away from the distractions of modern life. The lodge's construction involved transporting Western red cedar logs from British Columbia, Canada, via 20 semitrucks to the Arizona site. Reassembly of the logs, which measured between 20 and 30 inches in width, required three days and the use of two cranes. Local materials were also incorporated, with copper for the roof sourced from Arizona mines and stones taken from a nearby creek. The interior of the lodge is notable for a large tree in the main room, symbolizing the owner's family history. The lodge offers 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with extensive entertainment areas. According to listing agent Josie Pakula of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty, the lower level includes a theater, pingpong tables, pool tables, and a bar, serving as a primary hangout for children. The property's location in the mountains of Heber, AZ, provides a cooler climate compared to the surrounding desert regions. The family's stated intention for the ranch was to create a sanctuary for children and grandchildren to connect during holidays and vacations, offering a contrast to the "noise of the world." The lodge's design emphasizes a connection to nature and heritage, with the central tree serving as a visual representation of the Worsley family's lineage. The property's off-grid nature suggests a focus on self-sufficiency and a deliberate detachment from conventional amenities, aligning with the founder's vision for a legacy retreat. The listing agent described the property as "really awesome," highlighting its unique construction and purpose as a family-centric haven. The sale of Legacy Lodge marks the potential transition of a property built with a specific familial purpose into a new chapter, with its unique attributes now available on the luxury real estate market.