From the golf course communities of North Scottsdale to the urban high-rise dwellings of Downtown Phoenix, the Valley is far from short on stellar places to call home. This year, AFM is focusing on what’s new in the world of Valley residential communities, as well as taking a look at some of the area’s top spots to retire.
Line K at Pinnacle Peak Place
In North Scottsdale, luxury is all around. However, it might be a little tricky to find such magnificence with a modern edge, but that is just what Line K at Pinnacle Peak Place offers. In order to create the contemporary residential collection, K. Hovnanian joined world-famous Dutch designer Piet Boon on 26 semi-custom homesites. The partnership resulted in three distinctive floorplans, starting at 3,305 square feet, and 12 exterior options. Plus, each Line K home is located on one acre of land. To complete each warm yet contemporary abode, Line K homes will be outfitted in materials, textiles and furnishings from the popular Piet Boon Collection and bells and whistles include outdoor bathtubs and showers, infinity-edge pools and guest casitas. www.linek.com. Price Tag: from the $700’s.
44 Monroe
Think penthouse apartments are only available in New York City? Think again. Downtown Phoenix’s 44 Monroe offers urban high-rise living at its eight luxury penthouses, which range from 2,200 to 2,800 square feet. As the tallest building in Downtown Phoenix, 44 Monroe gives it residents a bird’s-eye view of the Valley (which can be admired via floor-to-ceiling windows) and the feeling as if they are living on top of the world. While the building provides such perks as a resort-style pool and spa and being mere minutes from Downtown entertainment, each unit impresses with Viking stainless steel appliances, polished quartz countertops, European frameless cabinetry and other top-notch fixtures and finishes. www.44monroe.com. Price Tag: $4,800 to $5,350 monthly rent.
Arroyo Grande
For years, Anthem has attracted homeowners who desire both big-city amenities and small-town charm. Arroyo Grande marks the final opportunity to own a new abode in the area. The homes offer eye-popping desert panoramas, plenty of space for a boat or RV and access to Anthem’s 63-acre park; hiking and biking trails; a four-acre catch-and-release fishing lake; a hockey rink; a 40,000-sq.-ft. community center; a water park; two country clubs with golf courses, for an added fee; and much more. Two series are currently available at Arroyo Grande and options like three-car garages and casitas are offered. www.pulte.com. Price Tag: from $199,990.
Optima Sonoran Village
Anyone who has feasted their eyes on Optima Camelview Village along Scottsdale Road knows that David Hovey, founder of Optima, is one of the Valley’s most innovative architects. And Hovey is at it again with the new Optima Sonoran Village project at Camelback Road and 68th Street. Phase I, which starts in May, will consist of 210 luxury units within a seven-story terraced building. In the end, Optima Sonoran Village will include five interconnected terraced, bridge-linked buildings, that will support commercial, retail and restaurant services, on more than 10 acres of land. In addition to an on-property cafe and market, residents have access to indoor and outdoor pools and spas; barbecue areas; a dog park; and a 19,000-sq.-ft. fitness center. www.optimaweb.com/Homes/SonoranVillage. Price Tag: Not available as of press time.
Caletas at Vistancia
The new kid on the Vistancia block is Caletas, a low-maintenance yet luxury villa community by Shea Homes. The new villas within the North Peoria master-plan feature up to 2,805 square feet of space in duplex or triplex format and are being constructed with Mother Earth in mind via the new Energy Star 3.0 rating. Best of all, Caletas homesites are positioned within the exclusive Blackstone Country Club which is home to a Jim Engh-designed golf course; a world-class clubhouse; a wine bar; and state-of-the-art pool, tennis and fitness facilities. www.sheahomes.com/arizona. Price Tag: from the $190’s.
Sterling at Silverleaf
With gorgeous Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival architecture, Sterling at Silverleaf gives residents the chance to feel as if they are dwelling in a majestic Mediterranean villa. Plenty of bells and whistles also come along with residing in one of these beauties: mountain and city-light views as far as the eye can see, lovely courtyards and super-close access to fine dining as well as shopping and entertainment venues. Four floorplans are available, and each average 3,000 spacious square feet. www.sterlingatsilverleaf.com. Price Tag: from $1.29 million.
Best Places to Retire
Your days of hard work are over. It is now time to spend your days relaxing, enjoying afternoons on the golf course, wading in the pool and having fun with friends. But where should you call home? Here is a peek at a few of the Valley’s top luxury retirement communities.
Sierra Pointe
Scottsdale’s Sierra Pointe offers its residents a life of luxury and enrichment thanks to its active game schedule (think bingo and blackjack), an on-site movie theater with twice-daily showings and a jam-packed events calendar (Zumba, happy hour, Wii bowling league, brunch and much more). When it comes to housing, Sierra Pointe has a sumptuous selection of studio, one- and two-bedroom abodes that are sized up to 1,455 square feet. Within walking distance, residents have easy access to shops, restaurants, grocery stores, cleaners and drug stores. Sierra Pointe offers independent and assisted living. www.sierrapointe.com.
Robson Resort Communities: PebbleCreek and Robson Ranch
Robson Resort Communities offers six resort-style communities throughout Arizona, offering an active lifestyle and high-end amenities for those 55-plus. PebbleCreek, located in Goodyear, provides a country club setting to its residents, as well as a Creative Arts Center that hosts a variety of entertaining classes. In Eloy, Robson Ranch has homes that are sized up to 2,285 square feet and provides its residents the opportunity to stay fit with access to golf and tennis courts. www.robson.com.
Vi: Vi at Grayhawk and Vi at Silverstone
Vi offers two luxury communities in Scottsdale: Vi at Grayhawk and Vi at Silverstone. The Southwest-inspired Vi at Grayhawk spotlights award-winning architecture in its free-standing and apartment homes. In addition to access to the Grayhawk Country Club, Vi residents are close to an 18-hole professional putting green; a fitness center; heated indoor and outdoor pools; a variety of dining venues; and a full-service spa. The newest of the Vi communities is Vi at Silverstone, which opened in 2010, where luxury villas and apartments are both available. Vi at Silverstone exudes a formal elegance and endless amenities that range from an on-site putting green to a wellness center. www.viliving.com.
Senior Resource Group (SRG): Maravilla Scottsdale
With seven luxury retirement communities in Arizona, Senior Resource Group (SRG) boasts homes with plenty of character and amenities that would rival those of high-end resorts. One of SRG’s standout spots is Maravilla Scottsdale, which launched May 1 and amazes with its Spanish Colonial design. A typical day at Maravilla? Perhaps morning yoga or swimming. After lunch, an afternoon French lesson. At night, a delicious dinner at one of the on-site restaurants. Plus, SRG’s award-winning InTouch Program allows the staff to tend to those with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions. www.maravillascottsdale.com.
Trilogy at Vistancia and Trilogy at Encanterra
Offering the gorgeous housing that the master-planned communities of Vistancia and Encanterra are known for, Trilogy offers top retirement destinations in the Phoenix Metro area. Highlights of the Trilogy at Vistancia community include the Kiva Club where residents are invited to enjoy their days at the state-of-the-art athletic club; swimming in the indoor lap pool and outdoor resort-style pool; getting pampered in the Alvea Spa; or taking a class or two at the Center for Higher Learning. Further south, in the San Tan Valley, Trilogy at Encanterra residents can enjoy the good life at La Casa, the Club at Encanterra which includes a fine-dining restaurant, three pools, treatments at Alvea Spa and an athletic center. Oh, and let’s not forget the championship golf courses at both Trilogy destinations. www.trilogylife.com.
