Del Webb (1899 - 1975) was an American real estate developer and sports-team owner who is significant for founding and developing the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona. He was born in Fresno, California and dropped out of high school to become a carpenter's apprentice. At the age of 28, he suffered typhoid fever, and as a result moved to Phoenix, Arizona to recover. In 1928, he began his namesake company which was a construction contractor. He received many military contracts during World War II.

He associated with Howard Hughes and golfed with Hughes, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Robert and Barry Goldwater.

A lifelong baseball fan, in 1945 Del Webb and partners Dan Topping and Larry MacPhail purchased the New York Yankees professional baseball team. After buying out MacPhail in October 1947, Webb and Topping would remain owners of the Yankees until selling the club to CBS during the 1964 season.

In 1948 in Tucson, Arizona, Webb was contracted to build 600 houses and a shopping center called Pueblo Gardens. This was a prelude to the Sun City, Arizona, which was launched January 1, 1960 with five models, a shopping center, recreation center and golf course. Opening weekend drew 100,000 people, ten times more than expected, and resulted in a Time (magazine) cover story.

Webb also developed a chain of motor hotels under the Hiway House name, and built the Las Vegas, Nevada Flamingo Hotel for Bugsy Siegel. He later opened a casino, the Sahara-Nevada Hotel.

External links

• Del Webb company website history of company and man

1899 births | 1975 deaths | Baseball executives | Developers