The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons: April Events in Scottsdale / Phoenix
April 18, 2012
In Arizona there are no April showers, which means there’s no waiting around until May for beautiful flowers and perfect weather. Spring is in full swing, which means it’s the best time for savoring pre-summer temperatures and outdoor endeavors. Here’s a look at the lineup around town this month.
Arizona Farmers’ Markets: Enjoy the fresh air while picking up fresh goods at one of the many farmers’ markets throughout Greater Phoenix. We might argue that there’s no better way to start your Saturday than stocking your cupboards with delicious local fare. www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Scottsdale Culinary Festival: Eat and drink your heart out at this six-day feast of fun, running from April 17-22. In its 34th year of “indulging your senses,” the festival boasts a lineup that’s bigger, better and tastier than ever, with a burger battle, shaken and stirred mixer, a chocolate and wine experience, blues and brews and much more. www.scottsdalefest.org
Music in the Garden: The Desert Botanical Garden is a plum place for admiring Arizona’s uniquely scenic landscape. On Sundays from 12 to 2 p.m., sound enters the picture with the “Music in the Garden” concert series. www.dbg.org
Scottsdale ArtWalk: Every Thursday night – except Turkey Day – the art galleries of Old Town Scottsdale open their doors to art lovers, people-watchers and passers-by from 7 to 9 p.m. This 30-year tradition celebrates the artful heritage of our city, so if you haven’t been in awhile – seize the Thursday! www.scottsdalegalleries.com
Ongoing: Relish happy hour close to home at venues throughout Kierland Commons, including NoRTH, Tommy Bahama’s Café, P.F. Chang’s, Morton’s, Zinc Bistro, RA Sushi Bar and more. www.kierlandcommons.com
February fun at Kierland Commons and beyond
February 9, 2012
February may be a short month, but it’s long on fun thanks to plenty of Valley happenings. And with the Leap Year, everyone gets an extra day! Here’s a look at a few great ways to spend your time near Kierland Commons and throughout Scottsdale / Phoenix.
Valentine’s Day Dining: This year, eat, drink and be romantic at Kierland Commons, which is home to dozens of fantastic dining spots the residents of The Plaza Lofts know and love. Here are three delicious suggestions to consider for your Feb. 14 rendezvous.
Arabian Horse Show: This horse-power-filled outing rides into town and puts on quite the show at WestWorld from Feb. 16 to 26. www.scottsdaleshow.com
Music in the Garden: The Desert Botanical Garden is plum place to pass the time admiring Arizona’s uniquely scenic landscape. On Sundays from 12 to 2 p.m., sound enters into the picture with the Music in the Garden concert series. www.dbg.org
Scottsdale ArtWalk: Every Thursday night – save Thanksgiving – the art galleries of Old Town Scottsdale open their doors to art lovers, people watchers and passers-by from 7 to 9 p.m. This 30-year tradition celebrates the artful heritage of our city; and if you haven’t been in awhile, now’s the time. www.scottsdalegalleries.com
Ongoing: At the end of the day, grab your friends and get glad with a happy hour outing to Kierland Commons. Among the options for smile-inducing sips and noshes are NoRTH, Tommy Bahama’s Café, P.F. Chang’s, Morton’s, Zinc Bistro, RA Sushi Bar and more.
Valentine’s Day Finds at Kierland Commons
February 6, 2012
As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching (t-minus eight days, in fact), we continue our blog series on romantic treats to be found inside Kierland Commons (and just footsteps from The Plaza Lofts). Today we recommend a few beauty buys for you and your loved one in honor of the Feb. 14 holiday.
For Him
If you are looking for a great gift for your guy, stop by V’s Barbershop, located next to RA Sushi. A visit to V’s is like a step back in time as contemporary gentlemen enjoy the classic old-time barbershop experience with consistent, quality service. While gift cards are available, we recommend the shop’s signature line of skin care products. V’s Shave Gel is made with organic herbs and offers a luxurious lather to leave his face feeling refreshed and moisturized. Meanwhile, V’s Italian Clay Mask is made from Montmorillinite Clay mined from Italy – purifying the skin after shaving and leaving your man’s face irresistibly smooth.
For Her
Visit Lather, located between Francesca’s and Chico’s, to get your gal a great gift to sooth her body and mind. The stylish store specializes in holistic beauty products made with natural ingredients. Our picks: the Sugar & Spice duo, which includes the pink grapefruit and ginger sugar scrub and illuminating body crème to keep skin soft and sweetly scented. Also check out Sweet Lips, a trio of deliciously flavored botanical lip balms that protect your lady’s kisser from the Arizona sun.
For Two
Head over to Quench Nail Bar, located just south of The Plaza Lofts at Kierland, to enjoy the boutique’s signature service – which is a plum pick for you, your significant other or an ensemble outing. The Quench Pedicure kicks off with a calming soak with soothing bath salts followed by nail shaping, cuticle treatment, callous reduction, skin softening exfoliation, paraffin dip, a warm towel wrap – the final touch being a foot and calf massage. Ladies may opt top off their service with a pretty polish, such as a coat of OPI’s “Pink-ing of You” or “Hopelessly In Love.”
Valentine’s Day 2012: Eat, drink and be romantic at Kierland Commons
January 27, 2012
With Valentine’s Day less than three weeks away, now’s the time to make that dinner reservation for you and your honey-bunny (if you haven’t already). From wonderful wine to mouthwatering dishes, choosing the right restaurant will help set the stage for romance. Here are three great mealtime picks for your Feb. 14 outing, all found inside Kierland Commons and just footsteps from The Plaza Lofts.
Morton’s, Scottsdale: One of the nation’s stop steakhouses, Morton’s offers an unparalleled selection of prime meats and fresh seafood served up with genuine hospitality that won’t go unnoticed. The Scottsdale location boasts a warm and intimate setting with countless touches of luxury, making it an ideal spot for special-occasion dining. Our picks: Whatever steak you love most, of course. Other musts include the bacon-wrapped broiled sea scallops and Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake.
NoRTH: There’s something about Italian food that seems to set the mood for amore. NoRTH takes its direction from the traditional Italian trattoria. Updated with modern flair, the Kierland Commons venue offers a sleek and sexy atmosphere accented by exposed brick and candlelight. The lineup features fresh pasta, gourmet pizza and a variety of wood roasted and grilled dishes. Our picks: The sea bass with truffle polenta as well as the tagliatelle pasta with braised short rib and red pepper ragout.
Ocean Club: Those sweet on seafood must head over to Ocean Club for fresh flown-in-daily fare that is served up alongside premium steak, sides and desserts to die for. The atmosphere is classic and refined with rich woods and dim lighting while the service is always top-tier. Our picks: You can’t go wrong with the fish or a filet. But no meal would be right without a side of lobster mashed potatoes and slice of the famous butter cake.
Stylish Neighbors: Rumors that Bloomindale’s or Nordstrom could be the one…
October 19, 2011
As residents of The Plaza Lofts know and prospective buyers can quickly see, stylish neighbors aren’t hard to come by. In fact, they’re everywhere – with high-end boutiques, handsome and hip restaurants and more edging Main Street and the Central Plaza of Kierland Commons. Add to that our community’s proximity to Scottsdale Quarter, which boasts its own roster of entertainment and retail, one of the most exciting of which is currently just a rumor (and a very exciting rumor at that). According to a recent article in the Phoenix Business Journal, Scottsdale Quarter is in discussions with iconic anchor stores Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, only one of which would move in. We’d be happy to see either of those land across the street, a distance that’s just close enough to our Kierland Commons lofts, but also just far enough away…
The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Sales Update: Luxury condo community closes three sales in one week
June 9, 2011
When you have good news, you’ve got to share it! Therefore, our team is pleased to announce that The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons sold three Scottsdale lofts between May 31 and June 3 for a total of $3.295 million. Two sales were for new developer units, while the third was a resale. The three lofts sold for an average sales price per square foot of $505.
“We’ve had a busy spring, and we’re thrilled to kick off the summer with three strong closings in one week,” said Trudy Hammond of Signature Properties, director of sales for The Plaza Lofts. “Our community’s one-of-a-kind lifestyle continues to attract buyers the way it always has, and the value proposition here remains unmatched.”
Located on the border of Northeast Phoenix and Scottsdale, The Plaza Lofts is a luxury condo community with 84 residences, 54 of which are located in a nine-story tower and 30 of which overlook Main Street of Kierland Commons, an award-winning urban-inspired development that also features upscale shopping, dining, entertainment and office space. Pricing for these Scottsdale condos starts in the low $400,000s for one-bedroom plans and the $700,000s for two-bedroom plans.
Each of these contemporary Scottsdale lofts showcases state-of-the-art interior finishes such as upscale flooring; granite and quartz countertops; Wolf, Sub-Zero and Asko appliances; solid core, eight-foot entry and interior doors; stackable sliding glass doors to expand the indoor/outdoor living area to the adjacent dining-size balconies; floor-to-ceiling dual pane, high-efficiency windows; dual-insulated party walls; as well as walk-in closets and oversized bathtubs in the spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. Ceiling heights range from 10 to 13.5 feet.
Among the amenities The Plaza Lofts residents enjoy are private, gated residential parking; elegant reception lobbies with card-access entry; two community rooms; a private high-end fitness center; as well as an outdoor recreation deck with a water feature, heated lap pool, whirlpool, ramadas, fire pits, gas barbecues, tables and comfortable seating. Residents also receive exclusive discounts on dining and shopping throughout Kierland Commons.
“Our community offers a lot to love with its beautiful finishes, exceptional lifestyle amenities, stunning views, and unbeatable access to Kierland Commons as well as other nearby attractions,” said Hammond. “Not to mention the fact our community is financially secure. The Plaza Lofts HOA is professionally managed and fiscally fit, with reserves holding a very high financial rating. This is just another reason our buyers feel confident about their decision to make The Plaza Lofts their home.”
The Plaza Lofts Condominium Association was set up by the project developer, Woodbine Southwest, to ensure the community’s long-term financial viability. The on-site management team comprises a community manager, maintenance supervisor, maintenance assistant, two porters and a concierge.
‘Tis the Season for the Kierland Commons Summer Concert Series
June 1, 2011
For residents of The Plaza Lofts condo community, summertime has its own soundtrack: the Kierland Commons Summer Concert Series. The eight-week Saturday night series – which runs from June 4 to July 30 (excluding July 2) – features a mix of music performed by some of Arizona’s best bands. For residents of The Plaza Lofts, getting to these concerts couldn’t be easier – they can simply walk across the street or head out to their private community recreation deck, which offers a prime view of the performers, the Central Plaza and Main Street.
2011 Summer Concert Series Lineup
Concerts run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
June 4 – Apple: A Beatles Tribute Band
June 11 – Chuck E Baby: Pop, Rock & Jazz
June 18 – Groove Merchants: Variety Hits
June 25 – Rondavous: Country and Crossover Hits
June 2 – (NO CONCERT in light of the Fourth of July holiday)
July 9 – Otis & the Beat: Hits from the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s
July 16 – The Rave: Variety Covers
July 23 – Raun Alosi: Classic Rock Hits
July 30 – Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns: Jazz, Rock & Blues with Horns
The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons featured on 2011 ULI Spring Meeting Tour
May 20, 2011
Yesterday, May 19, attendees of Urban Land Institute’s Spring Meeting toured both The Plaza Lofts condo community and the neighborhood our Lofts residents call home – the award-winning Kierland Commons.
As attendees made their way from downtown Phoenix to Kierland by bus, Woodbine Southwest President Daniel W. “Buzz” Gosnell told the story of Kierland. Developed by Woodbine Southwest in conjunction with The Herberger Interests, Kierland Commons opened its first phase in 2000. The mixed-use destination, branded “Today’s Version of Yesterday,” set itself apart from the beginning – offering an alternative to the suburban shopping mall template by introducing a groundbreaking, lifestyle-minded design to Northeast Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Upon arrival to Kierland Commons, ULI Spring Meeting attendees walked through Kierland Commons with Mickey Papillion of Westcor, and then made their way to The Plaza Lofts, where broker Bill Hammond hosted them for a tour of this luxury loft community.
Kierland Commons was one of 10 developments honored by the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2009 Awards for Excellence. The awards are widely recognized as the land-use industry’s most prestigious recognition program, and 2009′s winners were selected from a pool of 140 projects located across the Americas. (Read full release here.)
Featured Kierland Commons Condo: Loft 831 offers the best of all worlds with a view
April 11, 2011
With contemporary architecture and a sophisticated urban feel, this eighth-floor 2,090-square-foot corner residence is a true standout. Boasting a level of luxury and convenience only available at The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons, this stylishly serene Scottsdale loft features high-end interior finishes, fixtures and more, meanwhile offering matchless access (read: outside your front door) to the Valley’s best dining and shopping at Kierland Commons. Among this dwelling’s list of impressive interior attributes are floor-to-ceiling windows, 10-foot ceilings and telescoping doors that open to a spacious balcony and covered terrace. Loft 831 also features its share of upgrades, including custom closets and eight-foot frosted-glass interior doors. Mother Nature also kicks in a few amenities, namely panoramic views spanning up to 70 miles – showcasing city lights, the neighboring golf course and beautiful mountains. Not to be overlooked are the community amenities owners enjoy, such as a professional-grade fitness center, resort-style recreation deck, heated lap pool, grilling stations, and exclusive VIP discounts throughout Kierland. Life doesn’t get any easier or more luxurious. To view this listing on the MLS, click here.
