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Best Day Trips Close to the Phoenix/Scottsdale Area

Posted on June 9, 2021May 7, 2024 by Nancy

Phoenix and Scottsdale, cities sitting shoulder to shoulder in Arizona, are the central and exciting location of several Optima communities, including Optima Biltmore Towers, Optima Sonoran Village, and Optima Camelview Village. And while Phoenix boasts being the vivacious capital of Arizona, and Scottsdale prides itself in being the locus of access and luxury, these two twin cities also share another benefit in common: their proximity to countless other exciting day trips and destinations in the state.

To help inspire your next excursion, here are just a few of the best day trips close by:

Grand Canyon

This is a destination that needs no introduction. The Grand Canyon is just under a two-and-a-half hour drive north out of Phoenix. That’s pretty easy access to one of the world’s premier tourist attractions — a site that attracts over 5 million visitors annually. With its layered bands of red rock revealing millions of years of geological history, there’s really no wrong way to enjoy this immense natural attraction, we recommend the South Rim and the Skywalk for the best view, as well as planning to hike, ride a mule, or whitewater raft for the adventurously inclined.

Sedona

A day trip to Sedona is well worth the two hour drive south from Phoenix. No doubt the drive down will be a sight to see, too — Sedona is surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. The breathtaking landscape is the perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts, who will enjoy the numerous trailheads across Red Rock State Park. Whether you’re into an intense ten-mile hike, or something more mild like birdwatching and picnicking, there’s something for everyone. Once you’ve gotten your fair share of the outdoors, take a trip into town to enjoy the vibrant arts scene, New Age shops, and countless spas.

Prescott

Further proof of all there is to see just outside of Phoenix, Prescott isn’t even a two-hour trip away. There’s so much to do here that you may even end up wanting to stay more than a day. From the historic Whiskey Row downtown, perfect for bar hopping and catching a live music performance, to the many museums worth visiting, there’s an endless list of itinerary items within the city limits alone. And like everywhere else in Arizona, Prescott also boasts an outstanding roster of hiking and outdoor recreation on its perimeter, including Prescott National Forest and Watson Lake.

The Health Benefits of Yoga

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Nancy

We enjoy creating communities with amenities to support a well-rounded, vibrant lifestyle. Many of our properties, including Optima Kierland, Optima Signature, and under-construction Optima Lakeview include yoga studios as part of our impressive amenity stack. Yoga is a low-impact exercise method, as well as a mindfulness practice, that brings with it a wide-ranging array of health benefits. Here are just a few:

Improves Bodily Strength

Yoga has been demonstrated to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Going through the slow, gentle movements and deep breathing exercises increases blood flow and warms up your muscles. Holding poses helps you develop better core strength and in turn, improves your posture. And as you stretch your muscles with each pose, you also increase your range of motion and flexibility. Overall, the impact of this exercise leads to increased bodily awareness as well.

Aids in Pain Relief

Yoga has been recommended for those going through an illness, recovering from surgery of living with a chronic condition. That’s because the practice has the potential to aid in pain relief — specifically, back pain. Stretching your lower back through the various poses is believed to help relieve pain and improve flexibility overall during the healing process. And for those with arthritis: gentle yoga has shown to ease some discomfort when it comes to those tender, swollen joints.

Boosts Energy and Mood

As a practice grounded in body-mind-spirit connection, yoga naturally has an impact on your mental health as well as your physical health. Yoga has been demonstrated to aid in stress relief, and even lead to a better night’s sleep. It also provides a boost to your overall energy and mood levels, producing better alertness and enthusiasm in its wake.

Whether you’re looking for a low-impact fitness regimen or seeking a sense of groundedness, yoga is a great and healthy option for everyone.

Exploring Optima Communities: Camelback Mountain

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Nancy

One of the reasons we were inspired to move to Arizona was our love for the surrounding desert landscape, and that same passion still resonates across our Arizona communities. An iconic landmark in the greater Phoenix area, Camelback Mountain is a prime example of the way nature informs our own designs through its neighboring Optima communities, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Camelview Village. But Camelback Mountain has its own distinct allure, fostering a wide-reaching and beloved sense of community for many in the area.

Camelback is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley, and is named after its distinct shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. The site has long held significance to Native tribes and settlers in the area, and by the early 1900s, there were strong efforts to keep the mountain protected and preserved. The surrounding area saw major development, but in 1965, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater helped secure the higher elevations against development. The area became a Phoenix city park in 1968.

View of Camelback Mountain from Optima Camelview Village

Phoenix offers seven breathtaking mountain summits to climb, and Camelback Mountain has the highest, reaching 2,704 feet to provide the best views in the area. Climbing to the summit is considered a right of passage for many. Hikers can choose from two trails to reach the summit: Echo Canyon and Cholla. Both trails are difficult, with Echo Canyon being the steeper of the two and Cholla being the longer option. Luckily, there are a few less strenuous trail hikes as back-up options, as well. Camelback is the perfect place to experience the vast diversity of desert beauty; from colorful granite, to blooming wildflowers, to local wildlife. And since the trailhead is only 20 minutes away from downtown, there are plenty of places to recharge after a long hike.

There’s a reason why Camelback Mountain is considered one of Phoenix’s Points of Pride; the beauty both on — and off — the mountain top are truly spectacular.

Team Member Spotlight: Barbie Clemons

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Nancy

Our team is the heart and soul of Optima; the living embodiment of our values in action. We recently sat down (virtually, of course) with Barbie Clemons, Leasing Manager at Optima Sonoran Village, to talk about her journey working with Optima and what she loves most about being part of our team.

Tell us a bit about your background and the role you play at Optima.

I started out in sales and customer service before working at Optima. My experience ranged from working at a clothing company to managing bars and restaurants. I loved being in a fast-paced environment but wanted something new and got my real estate license.

An Optima recruiter brought me on board as a Leasing Agent at Optima Kierland. At Kierland, we leased up so quickly. The pace and the environment fed my soul. So after a year of different positions at Optima Kierland, I moved to Optima Sonoran Village and headed lease-up on the new tower. I was excited for the challenge: we were already 100% leased at Kierland and I couldn’t wait to work on the 800 units here. Within a year, I was promoted to the Community Manager/Leasing Manager role. It’s been amazing. I love this company and I love what I do.

What drew you to Optima initially, and what’s kept you working there all these years?

I was drawn in by the opportunity to use my skill set in a new environment. I’d done retail and hospitality and wanted something that would mix the two of them together — because in hospitality, I missed the sales portion, and vice versa. At Optima, I get to do both, all the while building long lasting relationships with residents and finding them homes they’ll stay in for a long time.

I’m constantly challenged here: can we hit this number, can we get to the next level? It’s very progressive and that’s my favorite part about working here. This is a company looking to change and move and evolve, instead of doing what everyone else does.

How do you view collaboration and mentorship within Optima?

What I love about Optima is that it’s a collaborative team and environment. My voice is always heard. No matter what level I was at in the company, I could approach someone and say, “I have an idea, can we try this?” Even on the building side — we’re under this umbrella where we can touch everything. For example: when Optima Kierland was under construction, they asked us for feedback we’ve received and we told them residents want more closet space. The construction team pivoted and included that in the next tower.

Optima has a distinct set of values that really differentiates it from other companies. Which values really speak to the work you’ve done at Optima and your methodologies?

There’s a solution for every problem: that value resonates with me. I’ve worked every position that Optima has on the property management level — I’ve done leasing, leasing manager, and even right now, I’m filling in for a business manager position we have open. So I’ve gotten to be versatile and learn every aspect of the company in order to help out. To live and breathe and be part of a progressive company, you have to be that way. I love, love, love that it’s one of our core values. We can figure it out. Optima is always open to ideas that are outside the box.

What are some things you’ve learned during your time at Optima?

Teamwork makes the dream work. It takes every single person on your team to make properties run and to make us successful — whether that’s construction or our executive team. They really meld the mind; we talk at every level and we get to bring ideas to the table. That’s something I’ve learned and love about this company, and something that I was missing from other companies I’ve worked for. You don’t feel like a number here, you feel like your name and your voice matters.

Indoor Basketball at Optima

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Nancy

As part of our commitment to creating healthy and happy communities, we’re constantly looking for inventive ways to keep our residents entertained, engaged and on the move. In all of our apartment communities, indoor basketball courts help achieve those goals. Integrated into our extensive amenity floors, indoor basketball at Optima helps residents stay healthy while having fun.

Our properties across Illinois and Arizona house their own courts, including 7180 Optima Kierland, Optima Kierland Apartments, Optima Signature, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Camelview. Basketball courts will also be part of the 40,000 square feet of amenity spaces at our latest project, Optima Lakeview. Each court is designed to seamlessly flow with the Modernist design of all of our spaces. And to accommodate the interests of our residents, many courts are now being striped for pickleball use. Along with being an in-demand recreational amenity, basketball has quite a few health benefits for those interested in playing.

Indoor Basketball Court at Optima Signature

Although many may have played as kids, there are plenty of perks to getting into basketball as an adult. Playing basketball requires agility, strength and stamina, so it naturally builds muscular endurance and healthy bones. It also helps improve balance and coordination and like many other regular physical activities, it boosts heart health. As far as mental benefits, engaging in physical activity releases endorphins and can be a big mood booster, whether you’re playing a quick game or you’re on the court for a few hours.

Our favorite benefit of basketball might have to be the team spirit and communications needed to play the game. We hope that all of our amenity spaces — our indoor courts included — make space for camaraderie and community, especially during a time when many are craving them. From new novices to life-long players, indoor basketball at Optima provides a welcomed escape to relax, play and stay active for our residents.

A Brief History of Pueblo Architecture

Posted on December 7, 2020May 25, 2024 by Nancy

When Optima expanded to Arizona in 2000, with the new territory came a vast and storied architectural culture and history. While the Southwest is home to many distinguished styles, perhaps none is as unique as pueblo architecture. Our Modernist design is in stark contrast with the Pueblo style, yet we still honor the history and modern-day impact of pueblo architecture.

Pueblo architecture comes from the traditional dwellings of the Puebloans, or Pueblo peoples, a southwestern Native American tribe. In Spanish, pueblo translates to “village,” referring to the Puebloans’ iconic style of building. Puebloans first began building pueblo structures between 750-900 CE, but were inspired by the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings dating as far back as AD 1150.

Pueblo architecture is most commonly constructed from adobe, though stone was used when available. Building structures are flat-roofed, with the roof supported by wooden beams, vigas, and small perpendicular beams, latillas. Vigas typically protrude beyond the building structure. In larger communities, many pueblo homes are stacked in multistory terraces with setbacks. These communities also often include kivas, partially underground circular ceremonial rooms, as well as courtyards or plazas.

When Spanish colonists arrived to the southwest in the 1500s, they adopted Pueblo architecture for their own buildings, such as haciendas and mission churches. From the colonists, Puebloans began incorporating more manufactured techniques, such as sun-baking adobe bricks, and more manufactured materials.

Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Arizona

Pueblo architecture continues to permeate the voice and character of southwest design. Although our own Modernist style is vastly different, Pueblo influences still informed many design choices. Optima Camelview Village honors the tradition of terraced dwellings in its stepped, landscaped facade and centralized courtyard. The desert dwellings of Optima contain traits of the traditional Publeoan dwellings, too. At Sterling Ridge, the cantilever roof pays homage to vigas, while the site-sensitive, multilevel design of the structure allows the home to blend into the landscape.

But despite the notable influences, it is Optima’s departure from the dominant southwestern architectural style that attracts people to our work — employees and residents alike.

A Deep Dive Into Hydrotherapy

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Nancy

Across our amenity spaces at our multi-family and condominium residences, we’ve incorporated 5-star spa-grade features to encourage wellness and relaxation. At 7180 Optima Kierland and Optima Kierland Apartments, our spa amenities include everything from our outdoor cold plunge pool to the hot spa, steam room, sauna and hydrotherapy area. Hydrotherapy refers to the medicinal use of waters, from hot tubs to immersive springs, infused with minerals and aromatic oils or herbs. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into hydrotherapy, from its history to its array of health benefits.

The History of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy (also formerly referred to as hydropathy and water cure) dates all the way back to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. In Egypt, royalty bathed in essential oils and flowers, while in Rome, hydrotherapy was available to all in the form of communal public baths. China and Japan also have a recorded history of hydrotherapy techniques, with Japan most known for its hot springs, or onsen.

In more modern history, hydrotherapy was the center of a spa tourism craze in 20th century UK and Europe. U.S. hydrotherapy centers have been around since the 1840s, when they were first introduced, and have since been involved into the modern iterations we know now. One modern form of hydrotherapy is cryotherapy, or cold water immersion, used by athletes and rehab clinics. 7180 Optima Kierland and Optima Kierland Apartments both feature cold plunge pools so residents can enjoy easy access to this treatment. There are countless other modern methods of hydrotherapy, used for both medicinal and recreational purposes, spanning from hot tubs to jet pools to mineral baths and beyond.

One of the spas and cold plunges in the 7140 Tower at Optima Kierland Apartments

Health Benefits

While hydrotherapy can be enjoyed recreationally, its medical origins mean that the treatment brings with it several health benefits. It’s known to increase blood circulation, which includes the important circulation of white blood cells in the body’s immune system. In addition to enhanced circulation, it also boosts endorphin production, resulting in strengthened immune systems, reduced inflammation, the healing of injured tissues and an overall boost in energy and wellbeing. The practice is also proven to reduce pain, inflammation and stress, and to improve sleep.

Wellness and health are important to us at Optima — and we know they’re important to our residents too. Whether you’re looking for a little healing power or a day of relaxation, we’re proud to offer spa amenities at each of our communities. Stay tuned for more spotlights on our other wellness-focused amenity spaces!

Scottsdale Public Art: Jack Knife

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Nancy

We love Scottsdale for many reasons, one of which is its vibrant and bustling arts scene. Home to the Scottsdale Arts District, the city makes its unique voice heard through striking public art such as Jack Knife by Ed Mell. To understand more about the local arts scene and to celebrate its impact on the city our residents call home, today we’re exploring the work and artistry behind Jack Knife.

Jack Knife boldly commands attention at the intersection of Marshall Way and Main Street in Downtown Scottsdale — the center of the Scottsdale Arts District — mere steps away from Optima Sonoran Village. The piece is the perfect introduction to the city’s history and culture, depicting a rider astride a bucking horse modelled after the official city seal. The bronze sculpture, which sits on a high pedestal, stands over eight feet high. Even more notable: Jack Knife is Ed Mell’s first ever large-scale sculpture.

Completed in 1993, Mell says of his work: “Jack Knife has a reverence for the Old West. It is not traditional, but yet it has a traditional theme. The angularity accelerates the power and energy of the rider and horse, more than accurate depiction.” While the piece may have been his first large-scale experimentation, Mell is one of Arizona’s premier artists.

Mell grew up in Phoenix, and his artistic practice is inspired by the natural beauty and wonder of the desert. He works primarily in oil paint, creating natural expressions of the Western landscape that exhibit striking colors and Cubist elements. This bold, graphic style is translated evidently into Jack Knife, and the artists’ passion for Arizona shines through, too.

It’s passionate creations like these that inspire us every day, and make us proud to call Scottsdale Optima’s second home.

Team Member Spotlight: Hunter Gross

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Nancy

Our buildings and communities wouldn’t thrive without our incredibly talented team members, especially in a year where maintaining clean and safe spaces feels more important than ever. We recently sat down (virtually) with Hunter Gross, the Maintenance Supervisor at Optima Sonoran Village, to talk about how his work makes a difference in our Arizona community.

Tell us a bit about your background and the role you play at Optima.

Out of high school, I went into the construction field and from there I went into a maintenance and cleaning supervisor role in Phoenix. After that, I ended up at Optima. I’ve been here for a year and three months; for a year as a technician, then promoted to supervisor for our Sonoran Village property. In my role as supervisor I am responsible for hiring, training, and guiding our service technicians; we can see 30-40 new service tickets daily and we have a 24-hour completion goal. I am responsible for ensuring service is completed to the Optima standard which often includes following up on many different work orders to see that the residents were satisfied.

What drew you to Optima initially, and what’s kept you working there?

I tend to get bored with day-to-day tasks, but working at Optima gives me different challenges that set a nice change of pace, which keeps me engaged. I also have a team that helps me problem solve, oftentimes working with other Optima teams to find better solutions. Especially this year with the pandemic, everyone was ready and willing to work together.

How does maintaining the buildings at Optima differ from other properties/buildings?

Optima’s design and materials sets them apart and makes them unique; concrete and exposed steel beams often present challenges when making additions or repairs. Thankfully, Optima is structured so we can communicate with the architecture and design team to help determine the best solutions.

Optima’s properties are also very large-scale. Even regular, preventative maintenance takes a longer time since they’re so spread out and populated. We have five different buildings just across Sonoran Village, and just transporting tools from one to the other is a process.

Optima has a distinct set of values that really differentiates it from other companies. Which values really speak to the work you’ve done at Optima?

Definitely our “there’s a solution to every problem” value. Especially in our line of work, we’re always trying our best to find solutions to even minor issues. And whether it’s the architecture, construction or design teams, we have a ton of resources at Optima that allow us to problem solve. This year in particular, that seems more important than ever.

Phoenix Public Art: Her Secret is Patience

Posted on November 2, 2020May 24, 2024 by Nancy

Towering over Phoenix’s Civic Space Park is a suspended, monumental web of light and color, arguably best viewed by night. The enormous piece of public art is titled Her Secret is Patience, and makes a striking impression, whether you’re seeing it for the first time or the hundredth. Today, we explore the work and artistry behind one of Phoenix’s most notable pieces of public art, Her Secret is Patience.

Completed in 2009, the monumental installation was the vision by artist and sculptor Janet Echelman in collaboration with global, award-winning teams of engineers, architects, planners and fabricators. The multi-layered form is secured from five points, suspending 38 feet from the ground. Echelman credits inspiration to the surrounding nature, from Arizona’s distinctive monsoon cloud formations to saguaro flowers.

The sculpture consists of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting and colored lights that change gradually with the seasons, transforming to cool hues in the summer and warmer in the winter. The specialized lighting gives off a unique glow, creating an otherworldly sense of whimsy in the middle of Phoenix. During the day, the structure casts intricate shadows from the Arizona sun. The creative team and work itself have garnered a handful of awards for their inventive process and impactful impression on the Phoenix art scene.

Like our own work in Arizona, Her Secret is Patience takes cues from nature to create something extraordinary. Its name even stems from the same source; Ralph Waldo Emerson’s full quote reads, “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

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Tag: arizona