Optima Sonoran Village Archives

Photos of this Award-Winning, Plant-Filled Apartment Complex has Twitter Users Speechless: ‘I Thought This Was Ai-Generated’

Optima Sonoran Village, an apartment complex in Scottsdale, Arizona, received one of 19 “Champions of Sustainability” awards from utility company Salt River Project in 2022, the Scottsdale Independent reported.

For nine years, SRP has used this award to recognize local businesses and organizations that have worked with the utility provider on eco-friendly projects and solutions, the company’s website explains.

Optima Sonoran Village was one of three businesses honored for “Building Communities for Electric Vehicles,” along with apartment brand Acero and home builder Lennar.

According to SRP, this category is for “homebuilders and multifamily developers who build homes or communities to be electric vehicle (EV) ready — complete with pre-wired electrical outlets to support Level 2 chargers or on-property charging stations for residents.”

The Scottsdale Independent reports that the 19 businesses named by SRP received their awards in a ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort. “The event underscores SRP’s 2035 Sustainability Goals related to energy efficiency, demand response, transportation electrification, and electric technologies initiatives,” SRP said in its press release.

Jim Pratt, SRP’s associate general manager of customer operations & chief customer executive, also spoke in support of the award winners’ efforts. “We are thankful to the winners for being valued partners. Their strong commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability is driving meaningful change and demonstrates what’s possible when we work together to keep the [San Tan] Valley and all of Arizona growing and thriving for generations to come,” he said, as reported in the SRP release.

City of Los Angeles civil servant Dan Caroselli took to Twitter to praise Optima Sonoran Village’s design, though he did wonder about the project’s affordability and sustainability. “I have to admit they look really cool and I was surprised by them since basically nothing else looks remotely like this in Phoenix,” he said, and noted that “Everything is plants! Plants! Plants!”

Twitter user Sukrit Ganesh (@SukritGanesh) agreed. “At first I thought this was AI-generated, then I Googled it up. If only more apartment complexes [were] designed like this!”

Here are the finalists for the 2020 RED Awards

The rush of commercial real estate development has truly become a statewide phenomenon, and the 2020 Real Estate Development (RED) Awards reflect just how widespread the activity has been in Arizona. From the more than 110 project nominations received this year, 17 were for projects away from the Valley. Projects in Tucson, Marana and Flagstaff can be found in the list of finalists, showing clearly that good work is being done all over the state. This year’s projects were some of the most impactful developments the state has seen in the 2000s, which made narrowing them down to three finalists and, ultimately, only one winner very difficult. The finalists and winners were honored at our 2020 RED Awards event on March 12 at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. For tickets, click here.

Here are the finalists for the 2020 RED Awards, by category:

Optima Sonoran Village

Owner: Optima Inc.

Developer: Optima DCH Development, Inc.

General Contractor: Optima Construction, Inc.

Project Manager: Optima DCH Development, Inc.

Architect: David Hovey & Associates Architect, Inc.

Subcontractors: Suntec Concrete, Aspen Construction, Inc., Jen Electric, RKS Plumbing & Mechanical, S Diamond Steel

Read the full feature at AZ Big Media

Visit Optima Sonoran Village for more information

Eco-Friendly Homes That Embrace The Earth Day Spirit

A cornerstone of community design at Optima Inc. is including green space to seamlessly connect residents to nature. Numerous studies suggest that contact to nature has positive effects for human physical and psychological well-being.

At Optima Kierland Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, a development of luxury rental and for-sale residences, residents have access to lush rooftop landscaping, an outdoor Zen garden and 5.5 acres of lushly landscaped courtyards with fountains.

A multiphase development project, each building within Optima Kierland Center is connected to the others through aesthetic structure and physical pathways amid lush gardens. Within the building, an innovative vertical planting system features self-containing irrigation and drainage, including vibrant and colorful planters at the edge of each floor. The system ultimately culminates into a beautiful rooftop garden.

At Optima Sonoran Village in Arizona, 60 percent of its grounds are open space that not only mediate the harsh desert climate but also create visually stunning landscaped areas to be enjoyed by residents and the community. A Kaleidoscope Juice Bar with patio seating is also on site.

In Chicago, luxury rental tower Optima Signature offers residents and the surrounding Streeterville neighborhood access to a tree-lined public plaza near its front entrance with a short walk to the lakefront and the Riverwalk.

Read the full feature on Forbes.

Visit Optima Kierland Center, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Signature for more details.

Green Walls Are About To Become Much, Much Bigger With A Little Help From Technology

Optima, a developer based in the dry climate of Arizona no less, has come up with a vertical planting system that has self-contained irrigation and drainage so plants can grow up and over the side of the building. This provides a natural shading system while also creating cleaner air and decreasing the excessive temperatures so common to Arizona. Vertical gardens are one part of their overall greening initiative which aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Read the full feature on Forbes

Optima Sonoran Village: Your Own Personal Oasis

Imagine living in a private, beautifully designed community that feels as if it’s been created to fit your every need, providing all the convenient daily services and recreational amenities you could ever want and need. Instead of spending your busy day traveling between the coffee shop, the local gym, and a variety of other errands, you’ll be able to get everything done without ever leaving Optima Sonoran Village.

Optima Sonoran Village is surrounded by Scottsdale’s best shopping, restaurants, culture, arts, and nightlife. Everything within easy reach! When you’re ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll be welcomed home with lush landscaping, sweeping views, thoughtfully designed spaces, and unmatched community amenities.

Residents at our rental community know that contrary to popular belief, you really can have it all – and it’s all waiting for you here. View our luxury one-bedroom floorplans, two-bedroom luxury apartments, three-bedroom floorplans, and luxury studio apartments that are all designed with large outdoor living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing gorgeous views. Each apartment includes stainless steel appliances, including a washer and dryer, as well as granite countertops, a modern design, and indoor garage parking.

The new tower at Optima Sonoran Village is the final addition to our community, offering the best in upscale residences and high-end apartment amenities in Scottsdale. Every detail has been considered in the design of this luxury tower, redefining the concept of luxury apartment living. This exclusive tower consists of large, contemporary homes that feature extensive outdoor living areas, going above and beyond the traditional balcony. First-floor units have spacious patio areas and landscaped yards, providing residents with an incredible amount of outdoor space to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather.

Read the full feature on Phoenix New Times

Visit Optima Sonoran Village for more details

Biophilic Design Gets the Green Light in Multifamily

Whether using a third-party designer or acting as the architect for your own projects, it’s important to have a vision for your community and what elements you want to utilize. This includes materials, structures, floor plans and multipurpose furniture or elements.

Optima Inc. has been incorporating biophilic design within its communities for more than four decades, starting with the use of green roofs, courtyards and gardens back in the ’80s. It eventually launched its own vertical landscaping system 15 years ago at Optima Camelview Village, a property located in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“This system helps enhance the natural beauty of our projects by allowing a palette of vibrantly colored plants to grow up and over the edge of each private terrace on every floor of the building,” explained David Hovey Jr., president & COO.

Read the full feature on MHN

Visit Optima Kierland Apartments, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Signature for more details

Well-Designed Outdoor Green Spaces Will Remain Popular In Post-Covid Residential Construction

For those who live in urban centers, navigating life during COVID-19 has meant rethinking use of green spaces. Pre-COVID, the local park, courtyard or well-designed backyard may have been a nice-to-have amenity, but the pandemic brought to light the importance of accessible green spaces for both physical and emotional wellbeing. From socially distant picnics and playdates to outdoor fitness classes and leisurely walk-and-talks, green spaces have become an essential antidote to isolation, with many city dwellers rediscovering the joys of moving leisure activities outside.

Read the full feature on Forbes

Scottsdale Greens Up With New Programs

As cities around the country move toward more sustainable practices, the city of Scottsdale is gearing up with its own efforts.

From the city’s Green Building Program to the potential electrification of the city’s vehicle fleet, a greener Scottsdale could be in full bloom within the next few years.

Optima Sonoran Village in Scottsdale is one of a growing number of “green” buildings the city is encouraging for development.

Scottdale officials are putting more effort into their sustainable efforts, both within the city and encouraging developers to do more.

Visit Optima Sonoran Village for more details

The New Age of Amenities

For years, we’ve seen the race to reach renters often start with a building’s amenity package and the bigger is better mentality, whether it was a pool, a fitness center or, most recently, coworking space.

But living through a pandemic has given everyone a different perspective on amenities. It’s been interesting to see that the things we took for granted, like natural light and outdoor space, have become—and will continue to be—the most important amenities of all.

While many developments made connecting people and nature within built environments and communities a hallmark in recent years, what’s new in 2021 is a heightened demand for direct access to sunlight and fresh air that blends the outdoors and indoors in refreshing ways.

Going forward, we believe design will flow from a need to create environments where renters find inspiration in their natural surroundings while also benefiting from the tangible health benefits that natural light and outdoor space offer.

Biophilic Design Is the Latest Buzz in Multifamily

High-rise apartments are getting more in touch with nature. Living on the 40th or 45th floor, for example, can make tenants feel far away from it—and since the pandemic, apartment dwellers are craving closer ties to greenery. In response, more plants are coming to rooftops, lobbies, and balconies.

Optima Inc. has been adding biophilic design principles to its communities for more than 40 years. It has been offering green roofs, courtyards, and gardens. A vertical landscaping system is on display at its Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Ariz. Several colorful plants grow up and over the ledge of private terraces on each floor of the building.

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Community: Optima Sonoran Village