Award-winning real estate development firm, Optima, announced today plans to move ahead with its next Arizona residential development, Optima McDowell Mountain Village, in North Scottsdale after receiving the city’s approval for the $1 billion sustainable mixed-use community. 

Breaking ground spring/summer 2023, the 22-acre site, located on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Freeway, Optima McDowell Mountain Village is comprised of six concrete-framed, eight-story buildings that will include 1,330 luxury residences and 36,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. The development will be a mix of condominiums and apartments.

Optima McDowell Mountain Village will create an environmentally friendly residential neighborhood in the burgeoning area of North Scottsdale with a state-of-the-art, all-inclusive, health-based, amenity-rich community. Most notably from a sustainability perspective, it will be the largest private rainwater harvesting site in the U.S. The residences within the community are expected to use half as much water as the average Scottsdale multi-family residence and a quarter as much water as the average Scottsdale single-family home. Optima is also providing the City of Scottsdale with 2,750 acre-feet of water that will be deposited into the Scottsdale water system.

“We are especially excited about the location of Optima McDowell Mountain Village being in north Scottsdale so close to the spectacular McDowell Mountains and the proximity to the Loop 101 Freeway as well as current and future major employers” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima’s President and COO. “Architecturally this project will be unique with over 75% open space with six buildings surrounding a central sheltered courtyard comprised of a combination of xeriscape, drip irrigation and artificial turf. This will be our most sustainable project to-date and will include the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States, as well as the next evolution of our vertical landscaping system and active roof decks.”

The community will be the first project in Arizona to be built under both the new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Green Construction Code (IgCC). A few highlights of the sustainable features include 75% open space that will be a combination of artificial turf, xeriscape landscaping and native plants; high-performance mechanical systems, solar panels; 100% underground parking to mitigate the heat-island effect, and Optima’s signature vertical landscape system. The vertical landscaping system, with its self-containing irrigation and drainage, enables a palette of vibrantly colored plants at the edge of each floor to grow both up and over the edge of the building. The integration of enhancements to the vertical landscape and architectural shading systems protects homes from the sun and creates additional privacy, while filtering the air and lowering ambient temperature.

The kind of sophisticated architectural detail that characterizes Optima’s Arizona projects will be reprised at Optima McDowell Mountain Village, and represents the next evolution of Optima’s architecture and construction. Designed by internationally recognized architects David C. Hovey, FAIA and David Hovey, Jr. AIA, the six buildings, with undulating landscaped facades, echo the shapes of the McDowell Mountains. The eight-story buildings are designed to have complex elevations that step in and out creating depth, shadow and texture that enlivens each face of every building. Adding to the dynamic effect will be the outdoor terraces provided for every residence that will be edged with trailing native plants cascading down the building. The buildings have been designed to emulate the colors of the desert with bronze glass, railings and planters. Glass-enclosed, 15-foot-high ground-floor levels will feel utterly transparent.

Each of the six buildings will contain its own resort-style amenity offering which will include a rooftop deck with a 50-meter Olympic-length swimming pool; a sauna, spa, and cold plunge; a running track that will follow the perimeter of the roof; outdoor fireplaces; lounge seating; outdoor kitchens with barbecues and dining spaces and sheltering arbors covered with vines. Every rooftop will offer spectacular views of the McDowell Mountains to the east, vibrant sunsets to the west, Pinnacle Peak to the north and Camelback Mountain to the south.

The ground-floor level of each building will be similarly outfitted with spacious, well-appointed lobbies; a fitness center and yoga studio that look out over the lushly landscaped courtyard; a sauna and steam room; a residents’ club with game room and theater; an indoor basketball and pickleball court; an outdoor pickleball arena; a golf simulator; an outdoor putting/chipping area; indoor and outdoor kids’ play spaces; a massage room; a dog park and pet spa; and a business center and conference room.

With views of the majestic McDowell Mountain range as the backdrop, the location is just a five-minute drive to the shopping, dining and entertainment destinations of Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons.  Being adjacent to the Loop 101 Freeway and just two minutes from the SR-51 Highway and ten minutes away from the I-17 Highway will allow residents to be just 15-25 minutes from Downtown Phoenix, Glendale, Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.  Also, the development will feature a bicycle and pedestrian path around the perimeter of the development that will connect to the bicycle and multi-use paths of the City of Scottsdale Bicycle Master Plan.

Registration is now open for both the condominiums and apartments to be among the first to learn about upcoming sales and leasing opportunities. For more, visit OptimaMcDowellMountainVillage.com.

Read more on AZ Big Media

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Real estate development firm Optima has verified it’s moving ahead on plans to build a $1 billion sustainable mixed-use residential area with the nation’s largest private rainwater harvesting system. The project is located at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Freeway and will be called Optima McDowell Mountain Village. The 1,333 residences are expected to use half as much water as the average Scottsdale multi-family residence, and one-quarter as much water as the average single-family home. The project should provide the City of Scottsdale with 2,759 acre-feet of water that will be deposited into the Scottsdale water system. For more information, visit OptimaMcDowellMountainVillage.com.

Read more on Green Living Magazine

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If sewage is fun – you must be in Scottsdale.

According to a recent newsletter from Councilwoman Solange Whitehead, “Elected leaders from around the state and the governor’s office attended my ‘Building Arizona’s Energy and Water Future’ session and Scottsdale Water Executive Director Brian Biesemeyer served on the water panel. 

“But the Popsicles were the real hit at the conference. Fruity, delicious and made from Scottsdale recycled waste water.  Everyone was talking about the Popsicles!”

Scottsdale Water spokeswoman Jessica Lema confirmed Biesemeyer moderated a water panel hosted by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Aug. 30, adding:

“Popsicles made with recycled water from Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Treatment Facility were served after the discussion.”

The panel’s theme was “Water: What’s Happening – And What’s Next.”

In North Scottsdale, what’s happening is construction – of sewer lines.

And what’s next is Optima McDowell Mountain Village, which plans 10 story buildings that will house 1,330 luxury apartment and condo units on North Scottsdale Road.

On May 4, the Development Review Board unanimously approved the Optima development on desert land from Mayo Boulevard to the Loop 101.

City Council narrowly approved the development in November.

The mammoth Optima project, projected to cost $1 billion to build, was opposed by council members Kathy Littlefield, Betty Janik and Solange Whitehead.

But in the “no hard feelings” department, Littlefield, Janik and Whitehead joined the other four council members in approving an infrastructure reimbursement agreement with Optima McDowell Mountain Village.

Biesemeyer gave the presentation on the sewer build-out across undeveloped land between Scottsdale Road and the TPC Golf Course.

He stressed Optima will pay for the construction – with “reimbursement from the city for portions that are not required for Optima.”

Sewer development fee funds will pay for part of the project, with future developers to be charged “payback” for the sewer lines they will use.

The new sewer pipes will allow for even more development south of the 101 between Pima Road and Scottsdale Road.

Optima is developing 20 acres at 18777 N. Scottsdale Road, just off the freeway.

The rezoning last fall included a development agreement on sewer infrastructure.

After poring over results of a commissioned study, the city “concluded that the sewer infrastructure capacity needed to serve all of the existing and future development in the area would need to be significantly increased beyond what was planned,” according to the agenda background on the Optima agreement.

Instead of having the developer put in its minimum sewer pipe requirements, the city asked Optima to construct “larger diameter sewer mains which are sized to handle future projected flows for development in the area.”

The Progress asked Biesemeyer how much the whole new system will cost.

“An estimate of construction cost will be developed as design nears completion,” he replied. “Optima will be paying up to 26% of design and construction costs.”

Biesemeyer was asked if the sewer lines will extend as far as the proposed Banner hospital and Axon campus projects on the west and east sides of Hayden Road south of the Loop 101.

“The sewer would serve the proposed Banner site but local sewer line would need to be constructed by the developer,” he said.

“Axon would also need to construct local sewers but is able to connect to an existing sewer on Hayden Road.” 

According to Biesemeyer, construction on the Optima-and-others sewer line “will be completed in phases to minimize traffic and community disruptions.”

He expects construction on the North Scottsdale sewer project to begin in the spring and finish a year-and-a-half later. 

Read more on Scottsdale Progress

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As Optima McDowell Mountain takes shape in North Scottsdale, award-winning real estate firm Optima is setting a new benchmark for sustainable luxury with its $1 billion mixed-use community.

The development spans 22 acres on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Freeway and features residences, cutting-edge green building techniques, expansive open space, and community-driven amenities.

Some of its most notable environmentally friendly initiatives include:

• The largest private rainwater harvesting system in the U.S.: A state-of-the-art system designed to capture and store approximately 210,000 gallons of rainwater in an underground concrete vault, repurposing it for irrigation and minimizing overall water use.
• 75% open space: There will be 14 acres of open space, with over 70% available to the public and 30% reserved for residents. The landscape will include a combination of native xeriscaping, shaded seating areas, putting greens, and a network of pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
• Optima’s signature vertical landscaping system: This self-sustaining system allows lush, drought-resistant plants to cascade down the facades of the buildings, providing natural insulation, filtering air pollutants, and reducing the urban heat island effect.
• Advanced energy-efficient building systems: The buildings will incorporate solar panels on the roof, high-performance VRF heating and cooling systems, induction cooktops in the residences, and EV charging in the parking garage.
• 100% underground parking: By moving all parking below ground, the development mitigates heat retention at the surface level.
• Green codes: The community will be the first project in Scottsdale to be built under both the recently adopted International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Green Construction Code (IgCC).

Designed by internationally acclaimed, award-winning architects David Hovey Sr., FAIA, and David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima McDowell Mountain positions itself as a national model for water conservation and green building.

Read more on Scottsdale.com

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Luxury real estate developer Optima has launched sales for the first condominium tower at its $1 billion Optima McDowell Mountain community in North Scottsdale, marking the company’s return to Arizona’s for-sale residential market for the first time in four years.

Located on a 22-acre site at Scottsdale Road and Loop 101, the community has already generated nearly $27 million in early reservations, underscoring strong demand for the amenity-rich and architecturally distinctive homes.

The debut tower, dubbed 7230, will include 196 luxury condominiums ranging in size from 728 to 2,204 square feet. Floorplans will include one-, two- and three-bedroom options with estimated starting prices in the $600,000s. Features will include floor-to-ceiling glass, landscaped private terraces, smart-home integration and designer kitchens. Buyers will have the opportunity to personalize finishes and even combine units into larger custom residences—a feature that has driven more than 60% of early reservations so far.

“This is a significant milestone for Optima,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president of Optima. “We’re bringing everything we’ve learned over the past four decades into this new community. Optima McDowell Mountain reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful design and quality living.”

The full development will consist of six eight-story towers that include both for-sale condominiums and apartments, as well as 36,000 square feet of retail and dining space. It is designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability and open space, with 16 acres—approximately 75% of the site—dedicated to landscaped areas, walking paths, biking trails and a 10-acre central park.

Each building in the community will be anchored by about 1.5 acres of rooftop and ground-level amenities. The 7230 tower will feature a Sky Deck with panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains, a 50-meter heated lap pool, rooftop running track, spa, saunas, firepits, and indoor-outdoor entertainment spaces. Additional amenities will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, a golf simulator, movie theater, coworking spaces, pet spa, and children’s play areas.

The development also incorporates an ambitious approach to environmental stewardship. Optima McDowell Mountain will house the nation’s largest private rainwater harvesting system, with a capacity to store 210,000 gallons for irrigation use. It will also be the first Scottsdale project built under the new International Energy Conservation Code and Green Construction Code. Other sustainability features include solar panels, self-irrigating vertical gardens, 100% underground parking to minimize surface heat, and EV charging stations.

The first apartment tower is expected to open in fall 2025, followed by the condominium tower in summer 2027. The Optima McDowell Mountain Sales Gallery is now open by appointment.

Read more on City Sun Times

Visit Optima McDowell Mountain for more details

Optima’s president and COO David Hovey Jr. shares details about what’s in store for the $1 billion project in north Scottsdale.

Read more on Phoenix Business Journal

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Hospital bidding wars are alive and well for prime land in north Scottsdale. After losing a state land auction late last year, the state’s largest health system now has plans to build a hospital on another parcel nearby.

Read more on Phoenix Business Journal

Visit Optima McDowell Mountain Village for more details

If sewage is fun – you must be in Scottsdale.

According to a recent newsletter from Councilwoman Solange Whitehead, “Elected leaders from around the state and the governor’s office attended my ‘Building Arizona’s Energy and Water Future’ session and Scottsdale Water Executive Director Brian Biesemeyer served on the water panel. 

“But the Popsicles were the real hit at the conference. Fruity, delicious and made from Scottsdale recycled waste water.  Everyone was talking about the Popsicles!”

Scottsdale Water spokeswoman Jessica Lema confirmed Biesemeyer moderated a water panel hosted by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Aug. 30, adding:

“Popsicles made with recycled water from Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Treatment Facility were served after the discussion.”

The panel’s theme was “Water: What’s Happening – And What’s Next.”

In North Scottsdale, what’s happening is construction – of sewer lines.

And what’s next is Optima McDowell Mountain Village, which plans 10 story buildings that will house 1,330 luxury apartment and condo units on North Scottsdale Road.

On May 4, the Development Review Board unanimously approved the Optima development on desert land from Mayo Boulevard to the Loop 101.

City Council narrowly approved the development in November.

The mammoth Optima project, projected to cost $1 billion to build, was opposed by council members Kathy Littlefield, Betty Janik and Solange Whitehead.

But in the “no hard feelings” department, Littlefield, Janik and Whitehead joined the other four council members in approving an infrastructure reimbursement agreement with Optima McDowell Mountain Village.

Biesemeyer gave the presentation on the sewer build-out across undeveloped land between Scottsdale Road and the TPC Golf Course.

He stressed Optima will pay for the construction – with “reimbursement from the city for portions that are not required for Optima.”

Sewer development fee funds will pay for part of the project, with future developers to be charged “payback” for the sewer lines they will use.

The new sewer pipes will allow for even more development south of the 101 between Pima Road and Scottsdale Road.

Optima is developing 20 acres at 18777 N. Scottsdale Road, just off the freeway.

The rezoning last fall included a development agreement on sewer infrastructure.

After poring over results of a commissioned study, the city “concluded that the sewer infrastructure capacity needed to serve all of the existing and future development in the area would need to be significantly increased beyond what was planned,” according to the agenda background on the Optima agreement.

Instead of having the developer put in its minimum sewer pipe requirements, the city asked Optima to construct “larger diameter sewer mains which are sized to handle future projected flows for development in the area.”

The Progress asked Biesemeyer how much the whole new system will cost.

“An estimate of construction cost will be developed as design nears completion,” he replied. “Optima will be paying up to 26% of design and construction costs.”

Biesemeyer was asked if the sewer lines will extend as far as the proposed Banner hospital and Axon campus projects on the west and east sides of Hayden Road south of the Loop 101.

“The sewer would serve the proposed Banner site but local sewer line would need to be constructed by the developer,” he said.

“Axon would also need to construct local sewers but is able to connect to an existing sewer on Hayden Road.” 

According to Biesemeyer, construction on the Optima-and-others sewer line “will be completed in phases to minimize traffic and community disruptions.”

He expects construction on the North Scottsdale sewer project to begin in the spring and finish a year-and-a-half later. 

Read more on East Valley

Visit Optima McDowell Mountain Village for more details

Award-winning real estate firm Optima is setting a new benchmark for sustainable luxury with its $1 billion mixed-use community Optima McDowell Mountain. Featuring meticulously designed residences, cutting-edge green building techniques and open space, the new community is all about modern desert living.

Designed by internationally acclaimed architects David Hovey Sr., FAIA, and David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima McDowell Mountain is home to the most extensive private rainwater harvesting system in the U.S. This revolutionary system collects rainwater for on-site irrigation and reduces residential water consumption.

Through a partnership with the City of Scottsdale, Optima has secured 2,750 acre-feet of available water – equivalent to 30 years of residential and commercial occupancy – ensuring a reliable supply for the city.

“Optima McDowell Mountain is the culmination of everything we’ve worked toward over the past four decades regarding sustainability, architecture and community integration,” Hovey Jr. said.

The community will also be Scottsdale’s first development built under the newly adopted International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Green Construction Code (IgCC). The project reflects decades of collaboration between Optima President David Hovey Jr., AIA, and Anthony Floyd, AIA, who founded Scottsdale’s Green Building Program in 1998.

“From the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the country to 75 percent open space at grade level, paired with architecture that embraces and celebrates the beauty of the Sonoran landscape, we believe this project will set a precedent for sustainable design and architecture in the Valley,” Hovey Jr. said.

Construction is underway on the first residential tower, and the finished project will span 22 acres on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Freeway. Optima McDowell Mountain will offer 1,330 condos and apartments and 36,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and restaurant space.

Each of Optima’s six concrete-framed, eight-story buildings has been uniquely refined and has its own amenities, including fitness centers, basketball and pickleball courts, and clubhouses. Residents will also enjoy access to six rooftop decks that will feature 50-meter Olympic-length swimming pools, running tracks, and outdoor fireplaces.

The first tower is expected to begin selling this spring and will welcome move-ins in September. For more information, visit optimamcdowellmountain.com.

Read more on Arizona Foothills Magazine

Visit Optima McDowell Mountain for more details

Awards & Accolades

1. The Trailhead, a 40-acre mixed-use development at 83rd Avenue and Happy Valley Road in Peoria, was named Retail Project of the Year by the Arizona chapter of NAIOP. Developed by Pederson Group, with Butler Design Group as the designer and Campbell Development as the contractor, the $100M-plus project includes 140KSF of retail anchored by a 63KSF Safeway, a 350-unit multifamily complex and a church. The site also features bike paths, pedestrian links and gathering spaces designed to connect with nearby neighborhoods and Sunrise Mountain Preserve.

Groundbreakings

2. Legacy Partners has broken ground on Olea Scottsdale, a 433-unit, three-story rental community at 19550 N. 76th St. in North Scottsdale. Plans call for 325 garden-style apartments and 108 townhomes across 38 buildings on 18 acres at the NWC of Legacy Blvd. and Miller Road. Designed by KTGY, the project is slated for phased completion in 2027.

3. Google Fiber has begun building out in the Warner Ranch neighborhood of Tempe. The 85KLF project is being coordinated in conjunction with road repairs to minimize disruptions and resident impacts. The project was issued a permit under Tempe’s new Fiber License and Right-of-Way Use agreement, which was established in Q4 2024.

4. Mountainside Fitness has broken ground on its second Queen Creek location. The 42KSF facility will open in December. Mountainside is also planning locations in Gilbert’s Morrison Ranch and Peoria’s Vistancia communities.

Progress Reports

5. Optima has begun pre-leasing 7220, the first rental tower at its $1B Optima McDowell Mountain development in north Scottsdale. The eight-story, 210-unit building is expected to open in September. A second debut tower, 7230, which includes 196 condominium units, launched sales in May. The 22-acre community at Scottsdale Road and Loop 101 will include six residential towers, 36KSF of retail and restaurant space, and a 10-acre central park.

6. Casino Del Sol and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe marked the topping out of their new 163KSF property, located just off I-10 in Tucson, with a beam signing ceremony. The project includes a 52.3KSF gaming floor, multiple dining options and a four-level parking garage. Designed by Yaeger Architecture, the development broke ground in January and is expected to be completed by November 2026.

Completions

7. Wexford Science & Technology has opened pre-leasing for 800 PBC, a 200KSF lab and innovation building at 800 N. 5th St. in downtown Phoenix. Designed to anchor the next phase of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the project includes lab space, hospitality-style lobbies, conferencing areas and outdoor collaboration space. It follows Wexford’s earlier 850 PBC facility and is being leased by Wexford and Cushman & Wakefield.

8. Construction is complete on The Flats at Jasper, the first Build-to-Rent community in Prescott Valley, located at 4901 N. Jasper Pkwy. Developed by Atlantic Jasper and built by Mosaic, the horizontal rental neighborhood comprises the first 240 rental homes in the Jasper master-planned community. The 26.1-acre project offers cottage-style units that range between 760SF to 1KSF. Mosaic has now completed three communities totaling nearly 750 homes in Jasper.

9. NexMetro Communities has opened Avilla Vista Norte, a 191-unit Build-to-Rent community in north Phoenix near Interstate 17. The gated development offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with private backyards, front porches and available garages. It is NexMetro’s 22nd Valley community and the fourth to open in the past year.

10. Sun State Builders announced completion of Findlay Hyundai Prescott, a 35KSF automotive dealership located at 1315 Auto Park Dr. The $11.5M design-bid-build project features a four-car showroom, customer lounge, enclosed service drive, 17 full-service bays, two new vehicle delivery bays, an automated car wash and a large parts storage area.

Read more on AZBEX

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