- Desert Ridge
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For other uses of Desert Ridge, see Desert Ridge (disambiguation)
The Desert Ridge master-planned community comprises 5,700 acres (23.07 km2; 8.91 sq mi) and is situated in the Northeast Valley of Phoenix, Arizona.[1] As one of Arizona’s largest master-planned communities, Desert Ridge will ultimately be home to more than 50,000 residents; and a variety of residential, commercial, recreational, healthcare and employment opportunities.[2] The community features such destinations as CityNorth, Desert Ridge Marketplace, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Mayo Clinic Hospital and American Express regional campus.
Contents
Timeline
- 1991 – Specific Plan adopted
- 1993 – First 1,420 acres (5.7 km2) purchased/leased
- 1993 – Master Developer assigned
- 1996 – First homes sold
- 1997 – SUMCO (Sumitomo Metal Industries) opens
- 1998 – Mayo Clinic Hospital opens
- 2001 – Desert Ridge Marketplace opens
- 2002 – American Express regional campus opens
- 2002 – Loop 101 opens to the east
- 2002 – JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa opens
- 2002 – Wildfire Golf Club opens
- 2006 – Desert Ridge Medical Campus opens
- 2008 – CityCenter of CityNorth, Phase I – Opening November 2008
- 2008 – Residence Inn by Marriott, part of Mayo Clinic – Opening fall 2008
- 2010 – Musical Instrument Museum – Opening early 2010
- 2010 – Sagewood – Opening early 2010
- 2010 – CityCenter of CityNorth, Phase II – Opening fall 2010
- 2010 - Gray Development Sues CityNorth Developer for $100 Million;
History of Desert Ridge
Created through a public/private partnership between the State of Arizona, City of Phoenix and the Master Developer, the Desert Ridge master plan, adopted by the City of Phoenix as the Desert Ridge Specific Plan,[2] has guided development in the community since 1991. As a partner in the master planning of Desert Ridge, Thomas J. Klutznick, along with his sons John and Daniel Klutznick, has carried forward the vision and dedication to quality development in order to ensure a lasting, sustainable community.
Already in place, in addition to several residential neighborhoods with nearly 4,000 homes, are Mayo Clinic’s 210-acre (0.85 km2) Phoenix campus that includes Mayo Clinic Hospital and the Mayo Clinic Specialty Building; Desert Ridge Marketplace, a 1,200,000-square-foot (110,000 m2) retail, dining and entertainment center; and JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, which includes Wildfire Golf Club with 36 holes of championship golf, a day spa, 252 time-share units, and a 950-room hotel – the largest in Arizona.
With more development to come, Desert Ridge will offer new additions including CityNorth, envisioned to be the urban core of the community, featuring an interactive, urban lifestyle with a mix of retail, restaurant, residential, hotel, office, cultural, civic and entertainment uses;[3] The Musical Instrument Museum, a state-of-the-art exhibit showcasing nearly 5,000 indigenous and popular folk instruments from countries all over the world;[4] and Sagewood, a progressive senior living community offering on-site health care services, therapy and assisted living.[5]
Homeowners association
The Desert Ridge Community Association is professionally managed by Rossmar & Graham, the oldest and largest management company in Phoenix. Rossmar & Graham provides resident service and the latest in management technology, giving Desert Ridge residents internet access to Association documents and CC&Rs, minutes from Board of Directors meetings, account balance and property information.
Community features
Shopping / Dining
Desert Ridge features a large variety of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities – from small cafés and local convenience stores to large retail center amenities at either The Shops at Shade or Desert Ridge Marketplace. Plus, CityNorth, envisioned to be the urban core of the Desert Ridge community, will feature the first Bloomingdale's[6] in Arizona and the only Nordstrom[7] in Phoenix, as well as other shops and restaurants. CityNorth will open in phases starting with Phase One, High Street, in November 2008, followed by Phase Two, The Boulevard, in fall 2010. Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Macy’s will all open as part of Phase Two in 2010.[8][9]
Hotels
With 950 hotel rooms, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is the largest hotel in Arizona.[10] The resort includes Wildfire Golf Club, Revive Day Spa and 252 time-share units at Marriott’s Canyon Villas. Desert Ridge will also be home to three new hotels—Residence Inn by Marriott,[11] currently under construction at Mayo Clinic Hospital, as well as a 4-star business hotel and a 5-star luxury hotel slated to open at CityNorth.
Healthcare
Desert Ridge is home to the first hospital planned, designed and built by Mayo Clinic, the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. Completed in 1998, the Mayo Clinic Hospital delivers inpatient medical care and is dedicated to providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment in over 65 medical specialties. Additionally, the Desert Ridge Medical Campus houses an urgent care facility, radiology center, a laboratory as well as both large and small medical and dental practices.
Work
Desert Ridge is home to several major employers. SUMCO USA (Sumitomo Metal Industries), manufacturer of 8-inch (200 mm), single crystal silicon wafers for the global semiconductor industry, opened their $500-million leading-edge facility in 1997. In 2002, American Express opened for business with a $170-million corporate office center that employs nearly 2,000 people. Additionally, a 2007 ranking of Metro Phoenix’s “Top 40 East Valley Employers” recognized several companies with Desert Ridge locations including Marriott International, Mayo Clinic and American Express ranking 10, 12, and 29 respectively.[12] These businesses, along with other ranked companies such as Target and Walgreens, employ 10,000 employees within Desert Ridge and contribute to the area’s thriving business community. As Desert Ridge development continues, employment opportunities will expand within its Business and Technology Park.
Homes
Desert Ridge offers a wide variety of residential options from entry-level single-family and move-up homes, to golf course communities, custom homes, apartments and condominiums. Current developments feature well-known local and regional builders, including Fireside by Del Webb/Pulte, Cielo by DR Horton, apartments by Gray Development, Bella Monte by Homes by Towne, Shade Apartments by Mark-Taylor, Calasera by Meritage Homes, The Falls by Rightpath, Toscana by Statesman and Aviano by Toll Brothers. Desert Ridge will also offer active adult living at Sagewood, a progressive senior community that emphasizes and respects residents’ choice as a primary principle. Sagewood will provide on-site health care services, therapy, assisted living, memory care and nursing care in private suites.
Schools
Desert Ridge is part of the Paradise Valley Unified School District. The community is home to 4 schools ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, which include Desert Trails Elementary School, Explorer Middle School, Paradise Valley High School and Pinnacle High School. Pinnacle High School ranked among Newsweek’s top 1300 schools in America during the 2007 school year.[13]
External links
References
- ^ Clancy, Michael. "Multifamily housing gains steam: Desert Ridge units reflect future need, city planning ideal", The Arizona Republic, October 3, 2007.
- ^ a b "Desert Ridge Specific Plan: Master Plan and Development Regulations", Arizona State Land Department, July 18, 1990.
- ^ Brown, David M. “CityNorth Brings Mixed-Use To A Massive Scale”, Southwest Contractor Magazine, April 2008.
- ^ Clancy, Michael. “Music museum coming to Desert Ridge Area”, The Arizona Republic, December 20, 2007.
- ^ Steinberg, Grayson,“Desert Ridge to add senior living project”, The Arizona Republic, May 19, 2007.
- ^ “Bloomingdale’s to Open First Arizona Store at Highly Anticipated CityNorth Development”, Business Wire, February 14, 2008.
- ^ Gibbons, Christina. “Nordstrom headed to Desert Ridge”, Phoenix Business Journal, August 29, 2006.
- ^ “New Macy’s Store to Open at CityCenter of CityNorth”, Business Wire, May 13, 2008.
- ^ Clancy, Michael. “Macy’s to open at CityNorth”, The Arizona Republic, May 13, 2008.
- ^ “Arizona’s largest luxury resort JW Mariott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa”, News Release, January 10, 2008.
- ^ “Groundbreaking set for Marriott Residence Inn on Phoenix campus of Mayo Clinic”, New Release, October 17, 2007.
- ^ “List of the top 40 East Valley employers”, Tribune, February 11, 2007.
- ^ “The Top of the Class”, Newsweek Online, 2008.
Coordinates: 32°40′51″N 114°30′04″W / 32.680926°N 114.5012464°W
Categories:- Neighborhoods in Phoenix, Arizona
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