--- title: "Stellar Gray Fine Homes — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/stellar-gray-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~1888217171 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1888217171.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Stellar Gray Fine Homes" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ae9347d1029baf5b_5654-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "3661 North Campbell Avenue PMB 208, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States" latitude: 32.2474 longitude: -110.9491 phone: "(520) 603-3128" website: http://www.stellargray.com rating: 5 review_count: 20 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 117 last_updated: 2026-08-17 --- # Stellar Gray Fine Homes Original Houzz profile: [Stellar Gray Fine Homes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/stellar-gray-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~1888217171) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Tucson, AZ - **Serves:** Tucson, Casas Adobes, Marana, Catalina Foothills, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Vail, Tucson Estates, Oracle, Patagonia, Sonoita - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (20 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves "An Alternative to the Typical..." Respect the land... build with sustainable materials, and create living environments with a sense of . The architecture is a reflection of the rich and lush desert environments on which homesites are selected. A STELLAR GRAY FINE HOME is embraced by its natural surroundings. Art may triumph over function and every home offers lifestyle and sanctuary. Texture, color and character blend into a feeling for where we live. Solid and safe, yet nurturing from thickened earth walls and softened interior features. Stellar Gray Fine Homes uses a design pallet of Adobe and RASTRA/EternaBlock enhanced by rustic columns, Viga Ceilings,, wood ceilings, integral colored floors and walls. In addition to the above, my son, Jameson Gray specializes in adobe home and homes of similar character. For those wanting to sell their James Gray Adobe Homes and/or Stellar Gray Fine Homes please contact Jameson Gray at 520.490.2404 and/or jameson@stellargray.com, Stellar Gray Real Estate Services, LLC. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Handicap-Accessible Design - Barn Design & Construction - Custom Home ### Areas Served - Tucson - Casas Adobes - Marana - Catalina Foothills - Oro Valley - Green Valley - Vail - Tucson Estates - Oracle - Patagonia - Sonoita ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - 1.5 million Adobe Homes & RASTRA (Eterna Block) Homes range in the $295 to $375 per square foot. Stellar Gray also designs and builds framed construction with a focus on the character and design features we apply to our adobe home design. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Stellar Gray Fine Homes | | Address | 3661 North Campbell Avenue PMB 208, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States | | Phone | (520) 603-3128 | | Website | http://www.stellargray.com | | License Number | AZ ROC \#259803 | | Followers on Houzz | 117 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/james.l.gray - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gray - Blog — http://www.stellargray.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Stellar Gray Fine Homes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/stellar-gray-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~1888217171) - **Website:** http://www.stellargray.com - **Phone:** (520) 603-3128 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Preservation of Open Space - Sonoran InstituteTucson Home - Best of Design 2007Letter of Recognition - Tucson Historical CommissionBest of Houzz 2015Inclusion in numerous coffee table books - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2022), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 20 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Heather Molina, Oct. 2021** > I'm very happy with the work the SG team did. They are transparent and creative. The whole process was smooth. I would hire them again if given the opportunity. **★★★★★ — Charlie O'Bert, Oct. 2021** > We've been working with James & Israel over the last year and a half to design and build our house in the Sonoran desert near Tucson. Stellar Gray Fine Homes came with impeccable references so it was an easy decision to ask them to help us. James & Israel build very unique and high-quality homes. Every step of the process has been a real pleasure. They know what they are doing and take great pride in their work. We are lucky to have found them. **★★★★★ — PureBuild Inc., Jan. 2017** > We worked with Stellar Gray constructing homes in the Sky Ranch subdivision. Stellar Gray's aesthetics and attention to detail was a good fit for our standards of construction. As shown by the high quality of the neighborhoods Stellar Gray has developed, Jim Gray has extensive experience in the design of desert appropriate fine homes. **★★★★★ — Leslie, Jan. 2017** > We contracted with Stellar Gray to build a custom mud adobe home. Our home is a hybrid (adobe in common areas, stick & stucco in the living quarters and CMU block for the garage) with a rustic adobe feel to us and to our guests. Most handmade mud adobe bricks were made off site, but some were made on the jobsite. > > James and Israel are honest and fair and they worked hard to achieve our goals, including minimizing damage to the surrounding desert. They hired a talented group of subcontractors and artisans to complete the project, including hand-applied plaster, custom cabinets, beams and wood ceilings, rock walls, custom mud adobe bricks, iron fence and iron and glass security door. We couldn’t be happier. > > All construction projects have a surprise or two and ours was no different. What was different however, was the thoughtful, prompt, and complete resolution to all of these “surprises” or changes. James and Israel both provided sage guidance to us throughout the project. > > Over all, if we were to build again, we would not hesitate to contract with Stellar Gray. Billings were timely and detailed using an open book approach with support for all charges. It was a pleasure to work with these professionals from conception to completion. If you are looking for a custom adobe home, we would highly recommend you consider using Stellar Gray! **★★★★★ — Mindy Burstein, Jan. 2017** > From the first moment we walked into a James Gray adobe home, we knew we were home. It had the quality and feel we hadn't seen before. It is truly a work of art. Working with Jim was a wonderful adventure in looking for the right elements to make the home very personal, from the doors, pillars, countertops, plaster colors, tiles, etc. Jim has a great design sense of design that make building our home both rewarding and fun. **Comment from Stellar Gray Fine Homes:** > Mindy and Peter, > Thank you for taking the time to offer such kind and complimentary review. The two of you are and were the best of people to know and with which to have worked. **★★★★★ — Lee Shaw Architecture, LLC, Jan. 2017** > Jim was a pleasure to work with. He brought a professionalism and knowledge to the project that helped our design to be realized to the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality. I have full confidence in his abilities as well as in all his sub-contractors and craftspeople. Jim always kept us and the clients aware of the construction costs and schedule and kept us on budget by helping identify the most cost effective solutions while always maintaining the projects integrity. This not only made my job easier but also gave our client the confidence they needed in helping them realize their dream in designing and building a custom home. I highly recommend Jim and always look forward to the opportunity to work together. **Comment from Stellar Gray Fine Homes:** > Thanks Lee Israel and I look forward to working with you again soon on another great project. **★★★★★ — Lloyd Koty, Jan. 2017** > Koty-Leavitt Insurance Agency, Inc. has provided insurance services for Stellar Gray Fine Homes and has done business with Jim Gray since 1999. We have found them to be a professional construction organization that we would recommend to any of our clients. **Comment from Stellar Gray Fine Homes:** > Thank you Lloyd. You, Janet and your entire staff have been an important factor in the success of Stellar Gray Fine Homes. Israel and I thank you. **★★★★★ — Diane Dale, Jan. 2017** > I have been in many of Stellar Gray houses and sold one when I was a realtor. The are aesthetically wonderful, well built and beautifully landscaped. Jim goes the extra mile for his home buyers. **★★★★★ — Arnold Belasco, Jan. 2017** > personally I admire his and the company character they present a quality from conception to completion that I and Belasco Electric are proud to be part of. **Comment from Stellar Gray Fine Homes:** > Thank you Arnold we have worked together for many successful years. I would like to clarify that the project range about which you are speaking relates to your contract with Stellar Gray Fine Homes. Our typical project is $700,000 to $1,200,000. More to come, my friend. **★★★★★ — Arizona Designs Kitchens and Baths, Aug. 2016** > Arizona Designs Kitchens and Baths recently worked with Jim at Stellar gray providing cabinetry and design for a kitchen that was part of a larger project of his. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Jim and believe he produces a high quality, one-of-a-kind product that is well-suited for Tucson and the Southwest! **★★★★★ — kickinthetushclub, Feb. 2016** > We moved into our "dream home" two years ago...that is to say a home that had the potential to be our dream home and with the help of James Gray's experienced eye, impeccable taste and expertise the possibility turned into a reality. **Comment from Stellar Gray Fine Homes:** > Thanks for the nice review and pleased you are happy with everything. Definitely has the feel we discussed and the photo shows it. I am looking forward to a nice glass of wine at that great table. **★★★★★ — Myk's Woodworking, Feb. 2016** > I've designed and built custom cabinets for Jim in over 40 of his adobe homes over the last 10+ years. He and Israel are always a joy to work with. They expects high quality from all of their subs and gladly get it because we know going in that we are building first class homes and attention to detail is key. He and Israel and all of their subs work great together as a team and take pride in building the best adobe homes available in Tucson. I'm looking forward to many more years doing great things together. ## Selected projects - [Southwestern - Adobes de la Vista and Sky Ranch Adobes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southwestern-adobes-de-la-vista-and-sky-ranch-adobes-pj-vj~1758526) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 27 - [Ireland Home Sky Ranch Adobes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ireland-home-sky-ranch-adobes-pj-vj~1321357) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 35 - [ADOBES DEL BOSQUE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/adobes-del-bosque-pj-vj~466799) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - [Adobes de la Vista - Catalina Foothills](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/adobes-de-la-vista-catalina-foothills-pj-vj~466117) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 45 - [Tucson Area Architecture - Adobes de la Vista and Sky Ranch Adobes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tucson-area-architecture-adobes-de-la-vista-and-sky-ranch-adobes-pj-vj~389074) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 88 - [Apache Springs Ranch, Sonoita, Arizona](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/apache-springs-ranch-sonoita-arizona-pj-vj~895352) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - Description: 1930's Sonoran Ranch Renovation including a guest house, conference center with guest rooms, and a 1700's Adobe Cabin in which Tom gardner was wounded by Cochise. - [Coyote Creek - Vail Arizona](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coyote-creek-vail-arizona-pj-vj~6280871) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - [El Encanto Tucson Neighborhood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/el-encanto-tucson-neighborhood-pj-vj~6280511) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Dos Adobes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dos-adobes-pj-vj~4878405) - Location: Catalina Foothills, AZ - Photos: 1 [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/stellar-gray-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~1888217171) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180043442/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180043441/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180043440/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180043439/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas - [james\_gray6682518's Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72433657/list/james-gray6682518-s-ideas) — 2 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/james-gray6682518) ## Community Q&A **Q: wall color paint** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the color on the walls? Beautiful! Please share! A: Not paint. integral colored plaster. **Q: Is there any cord management built into this desk?** *(in Photo Questions)* Any power strips, areas to route cords, etc? Trying to figure out how to use this desk in the middle of a room. A: The desks were purchased by the clients for whom I built the home. **Q: Does the concrete floor have to be 5"thick?** *(in Photo Questions)* I'm doing a remodel; floors are currently a saltillo tile so I need to match that thickness. Is there a source in Phoenix? A: Concrete is best at 5". We use 5" for thermal properties, rebar placement and 3/4"X3/4" scoring tool does better if concrete is 5". 4" is ok, however, 4" nominal or a 2X4 which is less than 4". The 4'X4' scored joints will help with cracking. Cracking is not necessarily a bad look if it is not cracking due to bad concrete. Integral color with carnauba wax burned in on first go with buffer and then two more applications and final buff shine. **Q: How did you achieve the patina on the metal roof? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The roof is black iron and will naturally rust in Tucson, Arizona creating a seal protecting the metal without being corrosive. Other climates may be an issue with the rust. The patina is rust. It is possible to order a metal roof with a powder coat finish of faux rust. **Q: What is this flooring?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The flooring is 5" thick integral colored concrete using an 1.5" scoring tool at 4' on center. The concrete is finished in a manner to depict a rustic tile and not a new car show room. Prior to occupancy we clean and grout the grooves made in the concrete. Wash the concrete. We then burn in colored carnauba wax to bring out the texture and imperfections in the concrete. Later we polish it one more time with wax. **Q: I love the stone walls.** *(in Photo Questions)* Do you have a referral in the Tucson area? A: The stone work was designed and constructed by Stellar Gray's mason.. If you are interested in the total designed area or just the stonework, please email me at james@stellargray.com. Your space will dictate the specific design and we have people that can do the work. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*