The Scottsdale Development Review Board voted 6-0 earlier this month to approve the exterior aesthetics for Optima McDowell Mountain Village, a multiphase, 22-acre residential and retail site near Scottsdale Road and Mayo Blvd.
Plans call for 36KSF of retail and 1,300 apartments and condominiums ranging from 775SF up to 2,025SF.
The project has a 10-year estimated timeline and will be built in three phases. Building heights will be a mix of six- and eight-story structures with ground-floor amenities and rooftop swimming pools and running tracks.
All the infrastructure to support the project will take place in the first phase of construction, and the City of Scottsdale will undertake creating a road from the east of the project to Hayden Blvd. as a separate project.
The total development cost for Optima McDowell Mountain Village has been estimated at $1B. (Source)
Award-winning real estate development firm, Optima is partnering with Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. for the development of the first building within its newest Arizona residential development, Optima McDowell Mountain Village, located on 22-acres on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Freeway in North Scottsdale.
The first building will consist of 210 rental residences, which just broke ground this month and is located on the southwest corner of the site. The overall development will comprise six, eight-story apartment and condominium buildings that will include 1,330 luxury residences and 36,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.
Designed by David Hovey Sr., FAIA, and David Hovey Jr., AIA, each of the six buildings will feature the sophisticated architectural detail that characterizes Optima’s Arizona projects and will contain its own resort-style amenity offering which will include a rooftop sky 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 fire pits; 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.
Optima McDowell Mountain Village™ will provide an unprecedented 75% open space area at grade level with a grand central courtyard as well as feature a bicycle and pedestrian path around the entire perimeter of the master planned development that will connect to the project’s 36,000 square feet of destination retail as well as the bicycle and multi-use paths of the City of Scottsdale Bicycle Master Plan.
“We are very excited to begin this partnership with an organization of the caliber of Mitsui Fudosan America that shares our commitment to exceptional design, the highest quality construction, resident-centric property management, and the creation of sustainable neighborhoods,” says David Hovey Jr., AIA, President & COO of Optima®, Inc.
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, and solar panels; 100% underground parking to mitigate the heat-island effect, Optima’s signature vertical landscape system, and the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States. 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.
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 enable residents to be just 15-25 minutes from Downtown Phoenix, Glendale, Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Now in its 46th year, Optima® continues to grow in the Greater Phoenix market. Having previously opened Arizona luxury condominium and apartment developments, including Optima Biltmore Towers®, Optima Camelview Village®, Optima Sonoran Village®, and Optima Kierland Center®.
“As is evidenced by our investment in our Optima McDowell Mountain Village™ project, Optima® signifies our long-term commitment to ongoing investment in the growing Scottsdale and Arizona markets,” adds Hovey Jr.
Optima has officially launched sales for the first luxury condominium tower at Optima McDowell Mountain. This $1 billion master-planned community in North Scottsdale is already attracting strong interest, with nearly $27 million in early reservations secured prior to the public sales release.
The development marks Optima’s return to the Arizona for-sale market for the first time in four years. Its new project blends cutting-edge architectural design, sustainability innovations, and a lifestyle-forward amenity experience. The first tower, named 7230, will offer 196 residences ranging from 728 to 2,204 square feet.
Renderings courtesy of Optima McDowell Mountain
The homes will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with signature elements such as floor-to-ceiling glass walls, lush private terraces, designer kitchens, and integrated smart-home technology. Prices are estimated to begin in the $600,000s for one-bedroom units, the $900,000s for two-bedroom units, and around $1.4 million for three-bedroom residences.
Optima McDowell Mountain will encompass six eight-story towers set across a 22-acre site at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Loop 101. The community will include a mix of condominiums and rental apartments and approximately 36,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The project is designed to integrate with its natural surroundings and emphasizes green space, walkability, and ecological harmony.
“This is a significant milestone for Optima,” President David Hovey Jr., AIA, said. “It’s the first time in four years we’ve introduced for-sale residences in Arizona, and we’re bringing everything we’ve learned into this new community. Optima McDowell Mountain reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful design and quality living, and it represents the next chapter in our legacy.”
Atop 7230, a rooftop Sky Deck will offer panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains and feature an Olympic-length heated lap pool, a running track, a cold plunge, a spa, a sauna, firepits, yoga studios, outdoor kitchens, shaded lounge areas, and entertainment zones.
Ground-level amenities will elevate the living experience with a high-tech fitness center, Pilates and group training spaces, indoor/outdoor workout areas, a basketball/pickleball court, massage room, golf simulator, bocce court, movie theater, chef’s kitchen for private events, and dedicated children’s play zones. Additional features include a business center, pet spa, and outdoor relaxation areas.
Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of development. Optima McDowell Mountain will be home to the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States. This underground system will collect and store up to 210,000 gallons of rainwater to irrigate the site, significantly reducing water consumption.
Additional features include self-irrigating vertical landscaping that provides natural insulation and air purification, rooftop solar panels, underground parking to reduce surface heat, high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow HVAC systems, induction cooktops in all homes, and EV charging stations available to both residents and guests.
With sales for the first condominium tower now underway, completion is expected in summer 2027. Interested parties can learn more by visiting OptimaMcDowellMountain.com.
The Optima McDowell Mountain community is setting the bar for luxury with its blend of amenities and its strategic location, tapping into the area’s rapid growth and development.
