While most people think of bustling, vibrant Palm Springs when they think of glamorous desert living, just four hours east sits a classic, quiet, upscale getaway. Situated on 10.5 acres within the most expensive zip code in the state of Arizona, The New Home Company’s most recent community takes desert luxury living to a whole new level. The residences at Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley offer resort amenities, and an indoor/outdoor living experience, to buyers eager to enjoy the natural splendor of central Arizona.
The area is rich with opulent history. Mountain Shadows Resort originally opened its doors in 1959, drawing flocks of Hollywood celebrities such as Bob Hope and Lucille Ball to its stunning private oasis. Names for the unique shadows that the iconic Camelback and Mummy mountains cast across the valley, the resort switched ownership several times and closed its doors seemingly for good in 2004. However, Westroc Hospitality and Woodbine Development Corp. restored the hotel to its original grandeur and reopened it in 2017, and the surrounding home development followed quickly behind.
The Mountain Shadows residential community, built and designed in partnership with architectural firm JZMK Partners, took its cues from the decadence of the hotel, showcasing 14 desert contemporary style homes from the low $2 millions and 52 villas from the low $1 millions. The single-family homes sprawl across 3,049 to 3,925 square feet, while the single-story condo style villas are anywhere from 2,500 to 3,615 square feet in size. Floorplans include three or four bedrooms, three to four-and-a-half baths, and two-car garages.
The homes possess a refined, streamlined, modern aesthetic that matches the elegance of the entire resort. Arizona-based design firm Miridian Interiors assisted the team in creating an indoor environment that was luxurious, yet welcoming. Joan Marcus-Colvin, Chief Marketing Officer for The New Home Company, said, “We set out to attain a look that would come across as contemporary, but not stark and not frigid, so we softened the modern touches by employing stone and other natural materials. We wanted the interiors to be airy and warm, in a neutral palette infused with touches of vibrant color, just like the desert. Our design approach is always dictated by the natural surroundings of the site.”
As can be expected with luxury homes, The New Home Company offers their buyers a wide range of customizable options. Available upgrades include integrated home automation technologies, custom closet systems, unique landscaping, designer flooring, and wine storage.
Residents also have the ability to take advantage of a partnership with Restoration Hardware, whose Design Atelier program offers coordinated home furnishings on top of the signature light and plumbing fixtures already included in the homes. Despite providing so many customizable options for the homes, The New Home Company is able to deliver them all within a regular production timeline.
Outdoor living is another prime focus of the community. The New Home Company knows that many of their buyers are either part-timers from colder climates who need a sunny second home to escape to, or locals who embrace the weather year-round. Balconies, patios, backyard fireplaces, and pools encourage residents to enjoy the dry desert air in comfort and style.
However, the team did install protective systems for when the blazing Arizona sun or fluctuating temperatures become too much to handle. “We decided to provide a flowing indoor-outdoor living experience while remaining conscious of the potential fluidity of the environment, hence the expansive bi-fold door systems, the covered loggias and terraces, outdoor fireplaces, and spa pools and water features,” said Marcus-Colvin.
For residents who feel the need to venture beyond their own backyard for outdoor experiences, golf is a popular pastime for Paradise Valley locals. The resort features its own 18-hole course, a historical celebrity favorite redesigned for modern play. A Tesla Model X courtesy car will transport more enterprising players to the nearby Camelback Golf Club, which has 36 holes.
Additionally, the Citizen’s Club offers two pools and a juice bar for supreme poolside relaxation, while the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is another short courtesy car ride away. Finally, the resort’s immense fitness center presents residents with state-of-the-art equipment and specifically curated classes, and those who prefer outdoor activity instead can be transported to the nearby mountains for hiking and cycling excursions.
The Mountain Shadows villas were so well received that they won The New Home Company two separate accolades: 2018 Gold Nugget Awards of Merit for Multi-Family Community of the Year and for Best Multi-Family Housing Community – under 15 du/acre. Homesite 8 was also given the same award for Best Single Family Detached Home – 3,000 to 3,499 sq. ft.
The success of the Mountain Shadows residences prompted California-based New Home Company to open offices in Scottsdale, AZ, where they intend to continue developing more stylish communities in the rapidly expanding area. According to Marcus-Colvin, “We hope to continue working in Arizona for a very long time. We are constantly looking to build in cities with growing employment opportunities, excellent educational facilities and retail infrastructure – communities where we can reward and be rewarded for thoughtful planning and gorgeous architecture.”
