Rising from the Desert and Still Soaring High
Terrance Smith
Community General Manager
Desert Ridge Community Association
What once was an arid desert of 5,700 acres has evolved over the past 25 years into the majestic oasis community of Desert Ridge.
In July of 1993, we broke ground on the development of Desert Ridge. Over a generation later, development continues and Desert Ridge has become a desirable destination master-planned community of 6,178 homes and over 18,000 residents. With only 40% of the community development completed, Desert Ridge at build–out will comprise almost 20,000 homes with a population of over 55,000 residents.
We are very pleased to welcome some of our recently completed residential and commercial developments from Sanctuary at Desert Ridge (262 homes), Banner Health Group, Cambria Hotels and Suites, Mountainside Fitness and the re-opening of Holiday Inn Express. The immaculate renovations of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Marriott Canyon Villas, High Street, Shade Apartments, Desert Ridge Marketplace and Vestar Branch of the Boys and Girls Club reflect the continued efforts by all to ensure Desert Ridge remains one of the premiere designation lifestyle communities in all of Phoenix to live, work, and recreate.
Throughout the 25 years, we have endeavored to keep the property values high in Desert Ridge and have been successful in doing so during the best and worst times of the economy. Improvements to keep residential homes looking new have resulted in many paint color schemes and palettes being updated, so new home parcels do not expose the age of a home built 25 years ago. This also applies to Desert Ridge common area walls, fencing, monuments, light poles, utility boxes, and bridges that are presently being updated to a newly approved and contemporary paint color scheme and palette as well.
Infrastructure improvements from the completion of the Black Mountain Boulevard 51 Freeway Extension to the present arterial roadway improvements along Deer Valley Drive and Pinnacle Peak Road are further indications of the rapid growth to come. On the horizon is a Reach 11 District Park, which will have a dog park with three (3) separate 1-acre fenced pens, multi-purpose sports fields, ramadas, benches, restrooms, parking stalls, drinking fountains, shade trees, and ultimately a playground and pump track.
Development is being pursued and advanced within and around Desert Ridge with a vision and focus toward the future pursuant to the Desert Ridge Specific Plan with the City of Phoenix, Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), Maricopa County Flood District, Desert Ridge Master Developer, a multitude of City/State Representatives, developers/builders and community stakeholders. The best of Desert Ridge is yet to come! Stay tuned…and stay involved!
