Biosphere SOLD!

Fairfield Homes has signed a contract to buy the huge tract 16 miles north in Pinal County and intends to close the deal sometime this fall. The plan for the 1,600-acre Biosphere 2 property north of Tucson may mean tearing down its landmark glass terrarium to improve the view for new, luxury houses. Fairfield plans to develop a master-planned community with residential lots no smaller than about 1 acre and homes costing at least $300,000, no word on the price of the property. Richard Foerster, a broker with Tucson Realty & Trust Co., estimates that the purchase, if each unimproved acre costs a minimum of $25,000, would cost Fairfield about $40 million.