The Clare House, a historic 1918 cottage in Gilbert’s Heritage District, is being transformed into Clare House Social, a new indoor-outdoor gathering space from restaurateur Nathan Ares. The project will connect his neighboring Prep & Pastry restaurant to the home and add about 1,400 square feet of pergola-covered patio space with an outdoor bar, TVs and yard games. Designed as a neighborhood-friendly spot for brunch, family dinners and game nights, the venue is expected to open in summer 2026.
What the space will offer
Ares told What Now Phoenix that the build will feature a large pergola, TVs tuned to sporting events, an outdoor bar and food windows. Nathan Ares said, “We’re already buying the plants so we can cultivate and grow them,” as preparations move forward on the project merging the historic cottage with the neighboring Prep & Pastry into one cohesive concept. The plan includes about 1,400 square feet of covered outdoor space and is designed to be an experience-driven yard where guests can linger, rather than a traditional beer garden focused on quick drinks.
How the Clare House escaped demolition
The Clare House previously housed Bergies Coffee Roast House and became the center of a heated redevelopment fight when a two-story Bottled Blonde was proposed for the parcel. Those plans collapsed after the project’s developer was indicted, leaving the cottage fenced off for months, as detailed by the Phoenix New Times. Preservationists and HD South rallied to save the century-old building, launching petitions and fundraising to relocate and restore the structure. The eventual change in ownership opened the door to a reuse that keeps the house intact while layering in new patio life on the block.
Ares’ move into the East Valley
Ares bought the Clare House property last year and is shifting the company’s footprint toward Gilbert. He is also moving his Tucson fine-dining spot Commoner & Co. to the Valley and rethinking Prep & Pastry’s placement, according to This Is Tucson. The strategy reflects Ares’ bet that Gilbert’s Heritage District can support more daytime and family-friendly activity alongside its nightlife. He says Clare House Social is designed to keep people hanging around, which is good for the neighborhood and for his broader slate of restaurants.
Timeline and neighborhood reaction
Construction hinges on permits, and Ares says his team plans to move quickly once approvals arrive. He reiterated the summer 2026 target in an interview with What Now Phoenix. Town officials and residents have kept a close eye on the site after the earlier developer indictment that prompted Bottled Blonde to withdraw, coverage of which appeared in FOX 10 Phoenix. Supporters say Clare House Social’s focus on landscaping and family-friendly programming could offer a middle ground for growth in the Heritage District.
If permits stay on schedule, expect to see plants, pergolas and patio lights at 309 N. Gilbert Road in the months ahead as work gets underway. We will be watching how the project balances historic preservation with a new dining scene in downtown Gilbert.
