Every sport has a moment when it stops belonging to enthusiasts and starts belonging to everyone. Pickleball had that moment a few years ago, and it hasn’t slowed down. It’s now the fastest-growing sport in the United States, spreading onto rooftops, amenity decks, and residential buildings across the country.

The question for anyone designing places to live isn’t whether to take it seriously. It’s what it’s telling us.

What Pickleball Actually Reveals

Pickleball didn’t get popular by accident. It got popular because it quietly solved a problem residential design has wrestled with for decades: how to bring people of different ages and fitness levels into the same space, on the same side of the net, and send them home with the kind of easy familiarity that turns neighbors into a community.

Players of all ages can compete. The court fits where a tennis court cannot. And the social architecture of the game, the partners, the between-point chatter, the standing around afterward, isn’t a side effect. It’s the product.

Optima Was Already Ahead

At Optima, sport has never been an amenity line item. It’s part of how the buildings were designed to feel.

The rooftop running tracks at Optima Kierland exist because the architects thought about how residents might want to spend a morning. The Olympic-length rooftop pools at Optima McDowell Mountain are there because daily practices are what give a community its rhythm. Movement isn’t layered onto the experience of living here. It is the experience.

Pickleball arrived at Optima before the broader conversation caught up:

• Optima Kierland — 7190 Tower features a covered outdoor pickleball arena, one of the first at a luxury community in North Scottsdale, plus a full indoor basketball court striped for pickleball.
• Optima McDowell Mountain — Indoor and outdoor courts will be built into every one of the six buildings, alongside rooftop pools, running tracks, and fitness centers with views of the Sonoran Desert.
• Optima Sonoran Village — The indoor basketball and pickleball court anchors a 19,000-square-foot residents’ club designed for the kind of daily, unplanned use that builds real connection.
• Optima Lakeview & Optima Signature — Indoor courts keep play going through Chicago winters, where indoor sport space isn’t a luxury; it’s what makes an amenity actually usable.
• Optima Verdana — On the North Shore, the fitness facilities carry the same intent: give residents every reason to stay active, together, as part of the daily rhythm of the building.

The Community a Sport Builds

The most useful thing pickleball has done for residential design isn’t adding courts. It’s making something visible that was always true: shared spaces are only as good as the life inside them.

A pickleball court is a rectangle with a net. A pickleball court where Tuesday games start on their own, where residents who’d never met become regular partners, that’s something no architectural drawing can fully capture.

From Old Town and North Scottsdale to the edge of the Sonoran Preserve to Chicago and the North Shore, Optima has always treated sport as one of the most reliable paths to that outcome. Pickleball is just the latest expression of a philosophy that’s been there from the start: the best amenity is the one that brings people together, not once, at the grand  opening, but every week, for as long as residents choose to call the place home.

Come see the spaces that bring people together. Explore Optima communities and experience the details that define each one.

A great morning doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built from small habits that feel good enough to return to. The secret most people overlook? Your environment matters as much as your willpower. At Optima, we design for both.

Start with Light

Natural light within the first hour of waking regulates the circadian rhythm and produces the alert, energized feeling that coffee tries to replicate. At Optima, light is never something residents have to seek out. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill Optima Sonoran Village and Optima McDowell Mountain residences with warm desert morning light, while the soaring atrium at Optima Lakeview makes the transition from night to day feel effortless. For those who want to take it outside, the rooftop sky decks at Optima Kierland Apartments offer open-air sunrise views that make early rising feel like a reward.

Move First

Even 20 minutes of morning movement improves mood, focus, and reduces anxiety for hours after. The challenge is never the movement; it’s the energy to get there. When world-class fitness amenities are steps from your front door, that barrier disappears. Residents across Optima communities wake up adjacent to state-of-the-art fitness centers, resort pools, and indoor basketball & pickleball courts.

Find the Stillness

The most grounding morning habits are sometimes the quietest, a few minutes of journaling, meditation, or simply sitting somewhere beautiful before the day takes over. The key is a space that makes slowing down feel natural. At Optima Sonoran Village, the lushly landscaped courtyards offer a serene desert morning that’s hard to rush through. Optima Lakeview, a quiet corner of the atrium with light filtering through the greenery above, is all it takes. At Optima Signature, the views make pausing effortless.

Life at Optima

The most important insight from habit science is simple: we don’t rise to our intentions; we fall to our environment. At Optima, every design decision, from building orientation to courtyard placement to window quality, is made with the lived experience of morning in mind. Because a day that starts well, in a space designed to support it, tends to stay that way.

Start your day in a space designed to elevate everyday living. Schedule a tour at an Optima community today.

At  Optima McDowell Mountain , wellness is more than an amenity—it’s a way of life. With thoughtfully designed yoga amenities located both at grade level and on the rooftop sky deck, plus weekly morning yoga classes guided by experienced instructors, residents enjoy an environment that supports movement, mindfulness, and community. Whether you’re flowing indoors in a calm, temperature controlled studio or practicing outside with sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains, Optima offers a uniquely flexible and inspiring yoga experience.

A Calm Retreat Indoors: Climate Controlled Yoga Studios

Optima’s indoor yoga spaces—available on both the ground level and integrated within the rooftop sky deck—offer residents tranquil environments perfect for year round practice. These studios feature:

• Soft natural light filtering through expansive windows
• Premium mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters
• Acoustically calm ambiance
• Consistent climate control for comfort in all seasons

Residents often pair indoor practice with the community’s weekly morning yoga classes, which use these serene interior spaces during warmer months. Early sessions help set the tone for a grounded, focused day—right at home.

Yoga Elevated: The Rooftop Sky Deck Studio

One of the most breathtaking wellness features at Optima McDowell Mountain is the rooftop sky deck yoga studio. Overlooking the valley, this elevated open air studio offers:

• Panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains
• Fresh airflow and abundant natural light
• Beautifully designed, ideal for energizing vinyasa or quiet sunrise flows

There’s something magical about practicing at sunrise—the colors shifting across the desert sky, the quiet hum of the morning, and the sense of expansion that comes from being elevated above it all.

Outdoor Yoga Experiences: At Grade & Elevated Above the Desert

For residents who enjoy connecting their practice with the natural environment, Optima McDowell Mountain offers two distinct outdoor yoga areas—each thoughtfully designed to bring the calm and beauty of the desert landscape into every session.

• At grade level, residents can unwind in peaceful, shaded yoga areas nestled within Optima’s lush, landscaped courtyards. These grade level spaces feature:
• Shaded platforms surrounded by greenery, ideal for slow flows or stretching
• Thoughtful desert plantings that create a soothing, nature immersed atmosphere

Above it all, the rooftop sky deck outdoor yoga area provides a breathtaking elevated alternative. Here, residents practice with:

• A serene, expansive rooftop sky deck area designed for group and solo flows alike
• Panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains
• Open air fresh breezes and warm desert sunlight

Weekly Morning Yoga: A Wellness Ritual

To support a consistent wellness routine, Optima McDowell Mountain offers weekly morning yoga classes led by trained instructors. These classes are designed for all levels—from beginners to seasoned practitioners.

This helps residents build regular practice supported by professional guidance and a sense of community.

Weekly morning yoga provides a number of benefits:

• Helps establish a steady, energizing wellness ritual
• Encourages social connection among neighbors
• Supports physical strength, mobility, and flexibility
• Enhances mental clarity and stress relief at the start of the day

For many residents, these classes become a foundational part of their weekly rhythm.

The Benefits of a Multi Level Yoga Experience

Having access to such a range of yoga environments gives residents unmatched flexibility and inspiration. This variety supports:

• Year-round, weather proof practice
• Mind body balance through changing environments
• Connection with nature and community
• Consistency supported by weekly classes
• Enhanced mental clarity, mood, and sense of belonging

Where Wellness and Design Align

Optima McDowell Mountain takes a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring residents have spaces that uplift the mind, body, and spirit. With indoor and outdoor yoga studios, a breathtaking rooftop sky deck, and weekly morning yoga classes that bring neighbors together, Optima has created an environment where yoga becomes more than a fitness activity—it becomes a lifestyle.

Contact us today  to schedule a tour and discover why Optima McDowell Mountain is the perfect place to call home.

Click here to view our floor plans & current availability .

Luxury apartment living in 2026 is not the same as that of the past, which was defined by surface-level upgrades or status symbols. Today, the question of what makes an apartment luxury is answered through how seamlessly it supports daily life.

Design, wellness, technology, and community now work together to create homes that feel intuitive, restorative, and distinctly personal. At Optima Verdana, these ideas come together to reflect how people truly want to live now and in the years ahead.

Unrivaled Living Spaces Designed for Modern Life

One of the clearest indicators of what constitutes a luxury apartment is the quality of the living space. In 2026, luxury begins with openness and light. Floor-to-ceiling windows aren’t a novelty anymore; they’re essential for bringing in natural light and framing views that change with the seasons. Additionally, open-plan layouts allow residents to move easily between living, dining, and working areas without feeling confined.

Of course, premium finishes still come into play to elevate everyday moments, while thoughtful details ensure comfort never competes with style. Plus, flexible spaces make it easy to adapt a residence for remote work, entertaining, or quiet retreat. Garden landscaping woven throughout the building adds a natural rhythm to daily life and creates a sense of calm year-round. These residences are designed to function equally well as a primary home or a second or third residence, offering consistency and ease regardless of how often residents come and go.

Curated Amenities for Wellness and Leisure

The amenities included at Optima Verdana are what turn an ordinary one into a luxury living space. Those amenities begin and end with wellness, including high-end fitness centers and yoga studios, indoor pickleball courts, and spa-style environments for relaxation and recovery. Having these amenities on-site eliminates the need for an external membership and acts as a natural extension of the home.

In addition, pools and rooftop lounges offer space to unwind, socialize, or simply enjoy fresh air and views. These amenities are designed to support healthy routines, whether that means an early morning workout, an afternoon reset, or an evening spent outdoors. They all combine to create a space where wellness feels like a natural part of daily life rather than another obligation to manage and schedule.

Seamless Integration of Technology and Smart Living

Technology has become a defining factor in what makes an apartment luxury, especially as daily life continues to blend work, leisure, and home. Luxury apartments feature smart living amenities such as keyless entry, and automated lighting, enabling residents to personalize their environment with minimal effort.

High-speed internet and connected spaces support productivity, streaming, and communication without interruption. In 2026, smart technology is not about adding complexity; it is about removing friction. The most forward-looking residences use technology to make everyday tasks easier, quieter, and more responsive to individual preferences.

A Connected, Vibrant Community Experience

Modern luxury extends beyond the front door. Optima Verdana residents increasingly value connection and belonging as part of their living experience. Curated social programming and shared spaces create natural opportunities to connect with neighbors while still respecting privacy and independence.

At Optima Verdana, we pair this sense of community with an authentic connection to Wilmette and the broader North Shore. We encourage our residents to engage locally by supporting nearby businesses, cultural offerings, and community events. Through this approach, the building becomes an approachable, integrated part of the neighborhood where everyone belongs, rather than a standalone destination.

Experience Optima Verdana Firsthand

Luxury apartment living in 2026 is defined by how a space feels to live in day after day. From unrivaled living spaces and wellness-focused amenities to smart technology and genuine community connection, Optima Verdana reflects what modern luxury has become.

Explore available residences or schedule a tour to experience how these features come together in one thoughtfully designed place to call home.

Sunlight brings more than brightness into our day—it brings warmth, energy, and a sense of grounding that supports our overall well‑being. At Optima, we design environments that naturally welcome sunlight, helping residents feel more connected to nature and the rhythms that keep life feeling balanced and vibrant.

Optima Sonoran Village Lushly Landscaped Courtyards

Vital Vitamin D Production

A little sunshine goes a long way in giving the body the fuel it needs to thrive. When sunlight reaches the skin, it sparks vitamin D production, supporting strong bones, muscle function, and long‑term immune health. Whether you’re strolling through the courtyard gardens or enjoying the elevated openness of one of our rooftop sky decks—our communities make natural light a seamless part of everyday living.

Mood Enhancement & Mental Well‑Being

Morning sunlight is one of nature’s most uplifting mood enhancers. Exposure boosts serotonin, helping stabilize emotions and promote a sense of calm and positivity. Abundant natural light at Optima communities, especially in our soaring atrium at Optima Lakeview and green outdoor retreats at Optima Sonoran Village, create uplifting environments where residents can feel grounded and energized throughout their day.

7140 Optima Kierland Apartments’ Rooftop Sky Deck

Better Sleep Through Circadian Balance

Beginning the morning with sunlight is a simple, powerful way to regulate your internal clock. Early exposure leads to smoother daytime energy and deeper nighttime rest. Whether starting the day on the rooftop running track at Optima Kierland Apartments beneath open skies or enjoying a quiet moment in the residence’s natural glow, residents benefit from spaces that naturally encourage healthy sleep rhythms.

Immune System Support

Sunlight doesn’t just brighten your day—it supports a resilient body. Vitamin D helps regulate inflammation and strengthens immune defenses. Optima’s sun‑welcoming communities invite these health benefits into daily life, whether you’re savoring the warmth in the lushly landscaped courtyards or lounging in one of the naturally lit amenity spaces.

Cardiometabolic & Blood Pressure Benefits

Regular sunlight exposure supports healthy blood flow and overall cardiovascular wellness, especially when paired with an active lifestyle. At our communities, residents have countless ways to enjoy movement in both sun‑drenched and naturally lit environments—from the versatile indoor/outdoor fitness areas to the expansive pickleball arena. Even our golf amenities offer another opportunity to stay active while benefiting from gentle natural light. These thoughtfully designed wellness spaces make it easy to incorporate heart‑healthy habits into daily life, reinforcing the connection between sunlight, activity, and overall vitality.

7220 Optima McDowell Mountain Apartment

Living Well, the Optima Way

At Optima, we believe the simple things—like sunlight—often make the biggest difference. By embracing natural light in the spaces where people live, gather, and unwind, our communities help cultivate a lifestyle filled with warmth, vitality, and everyday well‑being.

Discover how Optima’s light‑filled spaces can elevate your daily wellness. Explore our communities and learn more about living the Optima lifestyle today.

In a city shaped by steel, concrete, and some of the most celebrated architecture in the world, there is something deeply grounding about working with wood. It takes you back to fundamentals: grain beneath your fingertips, the rhythm of hand tools, the quiet merge of patience and precision. And across Chicago’s creative landscape, few places invite that experience as warmly as the Chicago School of Woodworking.

Part workshop, part studio, part community hub, it’s a space where novices learn the basics, hobbyists refine their craft, and seasoned makers explore new techniques. For residents at Optima Signature® and Optima Lakeview® who love design, materials, and making things by hand, it offers an opportunity to step away from screens and schedules—and return to the art of shaping something real.

Craft, Mindfulness, and Making Something That Lasts
Like the WasteShed, the Chicago School of Woodworking is built on a simple idea: creativity flourishes when you have space to explore it. Step inside, and you’ll find workbenches lined with tools, wood stacks that hint at future forms, and a deliberate pace that encourages focus. Here, the act of making becomes its own meditation.

Woodworking teaches patience. It requires you to slow down, measure twice, and stay present. The result isn’t just a finished object—it’s a sense of calm, confidence, and capability that comes from shaping something with your own hands. It’s tactile. It’s physical. And in a world where so much of our work is abstract, that alone feels like a gift.

Classes That Welcome Every Skill Level
What makes the Chicago School of Woodworking so inviting is the range of classes they offer. Beginners can explore foundational courses—learning how to safely use shop tools, understand species of wood, and create simple pieces they can take home. More advanced students can dive into furniture making, joinery, cabinetry, or specialized techniques that push their skills further.

It’s hands-on from the moment you walk in. You’re guided by instructors who bring both expertise and encouragement, helping you gain confidence with tools that may have once felt intimidating. Projects unfold in stages: sketching, selecting materials, shaping, assembling, finishing. Each moment brings its own small triumph.

For those who are crafty at heart, the school also offers something harder to find: the experience of learning alongside others. Woodworking becomes a social art—a place where people share ideas, swap stories, and discover a shared love for the craft.

A Beautiful Counterpart to Modern Living
Optima®’s architecture celebrates materiality—glass, steel, concrete, and the warmth of natural textures. Woodworking offers a parallel appreciation. It deepens your understanding of how things are made, how materials behave, and what it takes to create something enduring.

And there’s something especially satisfying about bringing home an object you’ve shaped yourself: a small stool, a cutting board, a side table that finds its place in your living room or kitchen. These pieces don’t just fill a home—they add meaning. They’re reminders of the time, focus, and personal creativity that went into making them.

Crafting a Life of Curiosity
The Chicago School of Woodworking invites us to reconnect with creativity in a hands-on way. Whether you’re a longtime maker or someone simply curious about trying something new, it’s a chance to explore a craft that’s both timeless and deeply satisfying. Exploring the school’s workshops also represents an opportunity to engage with the city’s creative ecosystem, learn a new skill, and find joy in the process of making. In a fast-moving world, woodworking reminds us that some of the most meaningful experiences happen slowly, deliberately, and with our own two hands.

Visit their schedule of upcoming classes and workshops here.

Winter arrives softly in Wilmette. Morning light drifts across quiet streets, lake air sharpens just a little, and neighborhood storefronts begin to glow with the warmth of craft and community. As the season turns inward, the village’s creative spirit moves indoors—into studios, workshops, and shared spaces where hands stay busy and imaginations stay bright.

For members of the Wilmette community and residents of Optima Verdana® alike, winter becomes an invitation to explore the places that nurture this creative energy. Among the many pockets of artistry throughout the village, one stands out as a true hub of expression and connection: the Center for the Arts at the Wilmette Park District. Here, through programs in visual arts, ceramics, dance, music, and theater, the community gathers to learn, make, perform, and find warmth in creativity all season long.

At the heart of this creative landscape, the Center for the Arts serves as a cultural anchor—an inclusive space where artistry and community come together. Housed within the Community Recreation Center, it is a place where children, teens, and adults can explore craft and performance in welcoming, light-filled studios.

A Community Engine for Creativity
The Center for the Arts is a vibrant ecosystem supporting creativity across ages and skill levels. Its offerings span the visual, performing, and applied arts, and the environment is intentionally designed to encourage curiosity, skill-building, and expressive freedom.

For those drawn to a design-forward lifestyle, the Center reflects a similar ethos: attention to craft, celebration of materials, and an understanding that creativity enhances well-being.

Visual Arts & Ceramics: Slow Craft for the Winter Season
Winter is an ideal time to embrace creative practices that reward patience and presence. The Center’s visual arts programs provide rich opportunities:

• Drawing, painting, and mixed-media classes for youth and adults
• Ceramics studios offering wheel-throwing and hand-building instruction
• Seasonal art parties and special workshops, perfect for holiday décor or handmade gifts

Clay studios hum with warmth, and art classrooms glow with color—providing a sanctuary of making during Wilmette’s colder months.

Dance & Movement: Expression Through Motion
Inside the Center’s dance studios, winter’s stillness gives way to rhythm and motion. Programs include:

• Creative movement and ballet for preschoolers
• Jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and hip-hop for children and teens
• Adult classes designed for joy, health, and expressive play
• Elevé, a year-round dance program supporting deeper training and performance

These offerings give families and individuals the chance to stay active, engaged, and inspired—even when outdoor activities pause for the season.

Theater & Music: Performance, Play, and Skill-Building
The Center’s performing arts programs bring Wilmette’s creative spirit to life:

• Wilmette Children’s Theater — A beloved local institution, this program offers young performers a chance to build confidence and collaborate through plays and musicals. Winter productions become community events, filling the theater with families, friends, and neighbors.
• Music Classes & Lessons — From early childhood explorations to more advanced instruction, these programs cultivate both skill and joy. Music rooms become warm havens of melody and discovery throughout the winter.

Family & Community Workshops: Art as Shared Experience
The Center also hosts:

• Family-friendly workshops
• Holiday-themed sessions
• Open studios
• One-evening creative activities

These short-format experiences are ideal for those trying something new or seeking meaningful, low-pressure ways to infuse creativity into the winter season.

A Creative Refuge for the Winter Months|
When lake winds rise and daylight shortens, the Center for the Arts becomes a place of warmth—both literal and emotional. In its studios and rehearsal spaces, winter finds a counterbalance and the Center hums with life, offering community connection and creative expression just when residents need them most.

How to Get Involved

• Visit the Center for the Arts at the Community Recreation Center (3000 Glenview Road).
• Browse winter and seasonal offerings online and note early registration periods.
• Begin with a workshop, or dive into a full-length class series.
• Encourage friends or family members to join—creativity grows in company.

A Cultural Anchor for Wilmette
The Center for the Arts stands as one of Wilmette’s most meaningful community assets. It embodies the village’s values: creativity, connection, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. As winter settles in, it becomes a particularly treasured sanctuary—inviting residents to explore new skills, deepen passions, and warm the season with color, movement, and collaborative making.

For those who call Wilmette home—including the community at Optima Verdana® — the Center offers a way to embrace creativity as a daily practice and a shared joy.

Winter arrives differently inside an Optima® community. Light pours through glass walls, warm air rises from indoor pools, and the rhythm of daily life shifts into something quieter, more intentional. The cold months invite a different kind of wellness—one shaped by architecture, ritual, and the quiet beauty of moving through thoughtfully designed spaces.

From Chicago to Wilmette to Scottsdale, here’s how winter wellness takes shape within Optima®’s world, offering comfort, energy, and balance during the season.

Mornings That Start with Light and Clarity
In our modern, open-plan residences, winter mornings become a gentle ritual. Natural light—soft, angled, often diffused by snow or cloud—filters into living spaces, creating an atmosphere that’s calm and grounding. A slow start becomes part of the day’s wellness practice: warm tea, quiet journaling, simple stretching or breathwork with the sunrise.

For many, the architecture itself becomes part of the ritual. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a daily connection to the outdoors, while the warmth of the home invites stillness. It’s a chance to begin the day with intention before the pace of the world speeds up.

Movement That Matches the Season
Winter can shift the way we think about fitness—but at Optima®, movement remains a year-round joy. Indoor amenity spaces are designed to support a range of experiences, from energizing workouts to restorative sessions.

• Indoor fitness centers provide room for strength training, cardio, and mobility practice without stepping into the cold. Natural light and clean lines make these spaces feel uplifting even on overcast days.
• Yoga and meditation rooms become sanctuaries during winter, offering a warm, quiet place to stretch, breathe, and reset.

And in Scottsdale, where winter means crisp mornings and cool evenings rather than snow, the season is perfect for outdoor workouts, walks, and sunrise routines in the mild desert air.

Warmth, Water, and the Joy of Resetting
Pools, saunas, and spas take on a special significance in cold months. These are places where muscles unwind, stress softens, and the body warms from the inside out.

• Indoor heated pools offer a sense of escape—a warm, gentle environment where you can swim laps, float, or simply breathe. Watching snow fall outside while gliding through warm water is one of winter’s most unexpected luxuries.
• Saunas provide a restorative counterpoint to the cold. The heat relaxes tension, supports circulation, and creates a meditative moment that resets the nervous system.
• Spas and whirlpools become gathering places for quiet connection or solo relaxation—a way to release the day’s chill and sink into comfort.

Together, these spaces create their own season of wellness, offering warmth and recovery without leaving the building.

Moments of Mindfulness, Built Into the Architecture
Optima®’s architecture naturally supports reflection throughout the winter months. Open spaces encourage slower movement. Lush landscaped courtyards—visible from both amenities and private homes—bring a sense of nature into daily life, even when temperatures drop.

Quiet alcoves, lounges, and shared spaces invite reading, sketching, or simply watching the changing sky. The architecture makes room for stillness, offering a refuge from the intensity of the season. And because Optima® communities are deeply connected to their neighborhoods, winter rituals often include small outings—to local cafés, cultural spaces, or parks—keeping life balanced between the comforts of home and the energy of the city.

A Season of Intentional Living
Winter wellness at Optima® isn’t one thing—it’s a collection of gentle habits that resonate with the season: slow mornings, warm water, thoughtful movement, quiet reflection, and meaningful connection to light and nature.

The architecture supports it. The amenities elevate it. And the result is a season lived with intention, comfort, and a deep sense of well-being.