For more than four decades, Optima has shaped some of Arizona’s most architecturally distinctive residential communities. From its award-winning properties in Old Town Scottsdale and the Biltmore Phoenix area to Optima Kierland in North Scottsdale, the design-driven development firm has built a reputation for modernist architecture wrapped in lush vertical landscaping and resort-level amenities. Its communities are recognizable not only for their aesthetic, but for the lifestyle they create.

Now, Optima McDowell Mountain marks the firm’s next chapter in North Scottsdale. Rising at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Loop 101, the 22-acre mixed-use community expands on everything residents have come to expect from the brand: open space, biophilic design, and elevated shared amenities, all framed by sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains. With apartment tower 7220 now leasing and condominium tower 7230 in pre-sale ahead of its anticipated 2027 completion, the momentum signals a strong appetite for a more connected, amenity-driven way of living in this part of the Valley.

“This is a significant milestone for Optima,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president of Optima. “It’s the first time in four years we’ve introduced for-sale residences in Arizona, and 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, and it represents the next chapter in our legacy.”

Life at Optima McDowell Mountain is designed to extend far beyond the walls of a single residence. Each building in the community will be centered on roughly 1.5 acres of resort-style amenities, creating an environment where wellness, recreation, and social connection are woven into everyday life. At the rooftop level of tower 7230, a dramatic Sky Deck will overlook the McDowell Mountains, anchored by a 50-meter Olympic-length heated lap pool and a running track that wraps around the perimeter. Residents will also find an outdoor spa and cold plunge, a sauna, fire pits, shaded lounge areas, outdoor kitchens, yoga studios, and gathering spaces designed for everything from quiet mornings to sunset entertaining.

At ground level, the amenity offering continues with a depth rarely seen in traditional condominium developments. Plans call for a fully equipped fitness center with indoor and outdoor training areas, Pilates and group fitness studios, locker rooms, and spa-inspired spaces, including a sauna and massage room. Recreation expands to include indoor pickleball and basketball, two outdoor pickleball courts, bocce, a golf simulator with chipping and putting areas, and even a sports lounge. A business center with conference and huddle rooms supports remote work, while a private movie theater and chef’s kitchen-equipped party room offer space to host. Families and pet owners are equally considered, with indoor and outdoor play areas, a pet park, and a pet spa integrated into the design.

The scale of open space is equally compelling. Nearly 75 percent of the 22-acre site is dedicated to landscaped grounds, anchored by a 10-acre central park that forms the heart of the community. Pedestrian paths and bike trails weave throughout the property and connect to Scottsdale’s broader trail systems, reinforcing a lifestyle that encourages movement and outdoor time. The setting feels intentionally layered, with architecture softened by vertical landscaping and desert plantings that frame views of the surrounding mountains.

Location plays a central role in the appeal. Positioned at Scottsdale Road and Loop 101, the community offers immediate freeway access, making it easy to reach the Scottsdale Airpark, Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, TPC Scottsdale, and other North Scottsdale destinations within minutes. Residents can walk or bike to nearby restaurants and retail while still enjoying the sense of retreat afforded by open space and mountain vistas. It is a rare balance of connectivity and calm, particularly in this highly sought-after pocket of the Valley.

Sustainability is not treated as an afterthought but as a defining element of the project. Optima McDowell Mountain will incorporate what is expected to be the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States, capable of storing up to 210,000 gallons for on-site irrigation. The development is also the first in Scottsdale to be built under the city’s newly adopted International Energy Conservation Code and International Green Construction Code, signaling a commitment to long-term environmental performance.

Additional features reinforce that focus, including solar panels, self-irrigating vertical landscaping that provides natural insulation and air purification, fully underground parking to reduce surface heat retention, high-efficiency VRF heating and cooling systems, induction cooktops, and EV charging for residents and guests. Together, these elements position Optima McDowell Mountain as both forward-thinking and rooted in the realities of desert living.

With residences in the first condominium tower now selling and completion anticipated in Summer 2027, Optima McDowell Mountain represents a significant evolution in North Scottsdale’s residential landscape. The Sales Gallery is now open by appointment.

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