Glendale/West Valley Development Thread

[HX_Guy]

258-unit luxury townhouse/condo project planned

Maura J. Halpern
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 14, 2006 12:00 AM


A Las Vegas-based real estate development company has announced plans to build a stylish townhome and condominium community near the Westgate City Center in Glendale.

Diversified Real Estate Group also has a resort-style condominium complex under construction in Surprise.

Called 9920, the luxury townhouse/condominium project at 99th Avenue and Camelback Road, will offer an urban lifestyle near the Valley's newest entertainment district.

The community will feature 22 mansion-style buildings, a three-story mid-rise and a feature-packed clubhouse.

"9920 will fit in very well with the feel of the area," said Jimmy Foster, president of Blue Tipping Group, the sales and marketing company for Diversified Real Estate Group. "This is where the 'in crowd' will live."

It will include more than 20,000 square feet of retail space below the residences. A coffee shop, dry cleaner and market are planned.

"We don't want residents to have to go too far for daily staples," Foster said.

Prices for the 261-unit community will range from $155,000 to $329,000.

While 9920 isn't scheduled to open until early 2008, those who register on an interest list will receive information about an exclusive presale in September.

"People will be able to get a little farther away from the congestion but still have access to the entertainment, shopping and sports," Foster said.

In Surprise, the Las Vegas-based developer has already brought Park Place Condominiums to life.

The resort-style condominium community is between Grand Avenue and Reems Road just north of Mountain View Boulevard.

Park Place will feature concierge services, guarded gate, fitness studios, a business center and other amenities.

"When we put together Park Place, we wanted to build a community that stood out from the others in Surprise," Foster said. "There's been a demand for this kind of lifestyle for a while."

The community has experienced brisk sales, with 52 of the 258 Tuscan-style residences remaining. Prices start at $200,000.

Aside from a handful of planned projects, Park Place is among the first resort-style condo communities in Surprise, Foster said.

"We got out there ahead of the curve," he said. "It's really exciting, given Surprise's future."

Construction on Park Place is about 85 percent completed and residents will start to move in by October.

Last year, Martha Gessel and her husband, Steve, were among the first to buy a condo at Park Place.

The couple sought to downsize from their three-bedroom home in Glendale's Arrowhead Ranch neighborhood, where they have lived for almost 20 years.

"I like the idea of simplifying my life," Martha Gessel said. "It's very freeing."

While the transition from their home to a one-bedroom condo will take some getting used to, the Gessels look forward to the low maintenance and plethora of amenities.

"It's almost like having a Scottsdale condo out here in the West Valley," Martha said. "In many ways, it will be like a vacation."