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
The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons: International flair, no passport required
April 2, 2012
April has landed, which means summer is around the bend. The best way to make the the most of the spring weather is to get outside as much as possible. There are few better places to do so than in our own backyard, which includes our picturesque recreation deck featuring a pool perfect for dips and laps alike.
Beyond our Arizona community’s doors are Kierland Commons and nearby Scottsdale Quarter, each home to winning destinations for shopping, drinking and dining. Here, we take a look at the latter two, specifically three venues that bring the far-flung deliciousness of Baja, France and the Caribbean within footsteps of our front door.
If you cannot fit a flight to Mexico into your spring schedule, Scottsdale Quarter’s new SOL can appease your appetite for the Baja Peninsula’s fresh cuisine. The recently opened hotspot has indoor and outdoor seating for the sun-seeking and sun-shy, with seafood, ceviche dishes and beachy cocktails that make you feel like you’re on vacation. A great place for a lengthy lunch on a leisurely Saturday.
It’s true that it’s always five o’clock somewhere, but island time is usually limited to, well, islands. Thanks to Tommy Bahama’s at Kierland Commons, however, island time is an all-day, everyday affair in land-locked Scottsdale. The menu and setup of this eat/drink/shop destination lends well to business and pleasure, with nooks for intimate dinners for two as well as spaces for parties with colleagues, family and friends. (The on-site event coordinator, Annie, is the best.) The fresh zero-proof cocktails are a great option during the work day, while the mix of martinis, hand-crafted cocktails and rum concoctions will win you over after hours. We recommend eating, too, of course. The menu is extensive, which means every visit involves tough decisions. Fortunately, you’ll always win.
Also at Kierland, Zinc Bistro offers a rendezvous point for Francophiles (c’est magnifique), which romances with its French ambiance and fare. Open for lunch and dinner and boasting a special off-hours lineup, the restaurant is so authentic in its aesthetic and edibles that it’s hard to believe you’re still stateside. The meals are memorable; but if you just want a happy-hour or late-night jaunt, the wine list and desserts are swoon-and-spoon worthy. No doubt this is a favorite hangout for Plaza Lofts residents throughout the day and beyond the blue hour.
Top 10 Reasons You Want to Live at The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons
March 20, 2012
- You can walk to more than 30 fabulous restaurants and bars and 85 sophisticated specialty shops. Our Kierland Commons location is the main reason our residents chose to purchase a home at The Plaza Lofts.
- You can downsize without losing the quality of lifestyle you’re used to. Our community features flexible floor plans, as well as high-end appointments, finishes and amenities throughout.
- You have more time to enjoy life here. No more endless chores like landscaping, home and pool maintenance and exterior window cleaning. All of those things are handled for you.
- Your concierge offers a menu of personal services, coordinating dry-cleaning pick-up and drop-off, making dining and entertainment reservations, arranging transportation and more.
- You don’t have to belong to the gym anymore, unless you want to. The Plaza Lofts has its own professional-grade fitness center, perfect for you and your trainer. There’s also a heated lap pool on the private recreation deck.
- You can take a free shuttle service over to the Westin Kierland Resort’s luxurious Agave Spa or the Kierland Golf Club, home to 27 holes of Troon-managed golf.
- You can consider Kierland Commons your playground – a place where you can meet with friends, up your culinary ante with cooking classes at Sur La Table, and celebrate life and the seasons with fashion and celebrity chef events, the Summer Concert Series and more.
- You can get to know your neighbors, and not just because most of them are full-time residents. Each month, The Plaza Lofts HOA hosts a Third Thursdays Happy Hour Event, which makes it easy for you to mix and mingle with others in your community.
- You can go days without getting into your car or weeks without filling up your tank. Plus, you won’t need to make arrangements for a ride home after a night on the town. You can simply let your feet carry you or catch that ride the concierge arranged for you.
- You can be one of the fortunate few Valley homeowners who live at heart of Kierland Commons. The Plaza Lofts is an intimate community with just 84 homes – and just eight plans remain for sale.
Much Ado About March: Outdoor Fun in Phoenix / Scottsdale
March 1, 2012
Spring is in full swing for Arizona locals, part-timers and visitors aplenty, as well as residents of The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons. The sunshine and great outdoors are homeruns when it comes to fun for all, and here’s a handful of ways you can take advantage of both this month.
Spring Training 2012:
There’s no better place than the ballpark for enjoying the Valley’s fair weather. Throughout the month of March, the Cactus League provides a grand-slam outing, with 10 stadiums to visit and 15 teams to rally around. www.cactusleague.com
Arizona Farmers’ Markets:
Enjoy the fresh air while picking up fresh goods at one of the many farmers’ markets throughout Greater Phoenix. What better way to start your Saturday than stocking your cupboards with tasty local fare? www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com
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 – save 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
Take a Hike:
If the Scottsdale ArtWalk isn’t as far out as you want to go, consider taking a hike on one of the beautiful trials that winds through Scottsdale and its mountain ranges. Take in sweeping view and snap pictures of panoramic views and – if you’re lucky – some spring wildflowers. www.scottsdale.gov/trails
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.
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.
A stone’s throw from Kierland Commons, Plaza Lofts residents enjoy Barrett-Jackson, pro golf and more
January 13, 2012
Around Town in January and February
Unlike the rest of the country, Arizona boasts marvelous weather in January and February – offering plum opportunities for active endeavors and world-class events that appeal to Valley residents, visitors, celebrities and professional athletes alike. The following lineup features a blend of the season’s best events, all of which are just a stone’s throw from The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale.
Barrett-Jackson Auction: Locals, out-of-towners and celebrities cannot get enough of this fast and furious car collector auction that puts Scottsdale in a horse-powered frenzy from Jan. 15-22. www.barrett-jackson.com
Arabian Horse Show: Speaking of horse power, there’s another kind that rides into town for the annual Arabian Horse Show, taking place Feb. 16-26. www.scottsdaleshow.com
Waste Management Phoenix Open: Plaza Lofts residents are among the thousands who flock to the TPC and Birds Nest to witness golf greatness and carouse beside the links during this pro tournament from Jan. 30 – Feb. 5. wmphoenixopen.com
Ongoing: Enjoy 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.
The Plaza Lofts at Kierland: Where it’s always the most wonderful time of the year
December 16, 2011
The Plaza Lofts at Kierland is the only luxury condo community in Scottsdale and Phoenix that offers a true Main-Street-inspired lifestyle; and it’s the winning combination of well-appointed residences and a Kierland Commons location that wins over Arizona home-seekers. Here, even beyond the holidays, everyday life is extraordinary – from the lofts themselves to the community amenities to the surrounding neighborhood. All Scottsdale lofts boast smart, spacious floor plans and high-end finishes; meanwhile, the community rooms, fitness center and recreation deck further expand the attributes of home in a hassle-free way thanks to an on-site management team and concierge. Perhaps most loved is the fact that the Valley’s best dining, shopping and entertainment district – Kierland Commons – lies just outside the community’s front door, as do other nearby live/work/play venues such as The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, the master-planned Kierland community, the Scottsdale Airpark and Scottsdale Quarter.
In light of the holiday season, we offer a look at goings-on in our ‘hood and around town this month.
Dec. 2 – 31: Many if not all Plaza Lofts residents are fans of Fox Restaurant Concepts, so this deal is sure to delight: For every $100 worth of gift cards purchased by Dec. 31 from any Fox Restaurant Concepts establishment, you will receive a $20 bonus gift card good for any dining spot in the Valley, including the newly remodeled NoRTH and The Green House at Kierland Commons. Gift cards are available in denominations of $10, $25, $50, $75 and $100, and can be purchased in person, online at www.foxrc.com or by phone at 480-905-6920.
Dec. 1 – 30: Las Noches de las Luminarias shines light on the splendor of the Desert Botanical Garden throughout December.
Dec. 1 – 30: Go for an after-dark stroll, bike ride or drive to admire holiday light displays throughout the Valley of the Sun. Click here for a map of festive displays illuminating our metro.
Dec. 1 – Jan 8: ZooLights illuminate the grounds of The Phoenix Zoo throughout December and into the New Year, creating a fun outing for families and couples alike.
Ongoing: For a complete list of concerts, festivals and happenings throughout Scottsdale and the Valley, visit ScottsdaleCVB.com or AZCentral.com.
Ongoing: Plaza Lofts residents can enjoy 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.
Around Town: Fun to-do’s near The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons
November 9, 2011
The holidays are busy for residents of The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons – but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s a look at some fun and festive events happening in our neighborhood and beyond during the next four weeks.
Nov. 11 – 13: Ride the excitement of the American Cup Championship Arabian Horse Show at nearby WestWorld.
Nov. 19 – 20: Artfest of Scottsdale returns for its annual rendezvous at the Civic Center Plaza, offering locals and visitors booth upon booth of artistic eye candy to admire and inspire.
Nov. 24 – Jan 8: The colorful ZooLights display kicks off at The Phoenix Zoo this month, creating bright displays all ages will enjoy.
Dec. 1-30: Las Noches de las Luminarias shines light on the splendor of the Desert Botanical Garden throughout December.
Dec. 3: Miracle on Main Street at Kierland Commons kicks off the holiday season with festive fanfare throughout the day. (All month, you can take advantage of the seasonal atmosphere at Kierland with Santa in the Central Plaza, as well as lights, decor, deals and more on Main Street. For Plaza Lofts residents, this is especially convenient – walkable from the doors of their Kierland Commons condos!)
Ongoing: Cowboy up and head down Scottsdale Road to learn how to line dance at Handlebar J Restaurant & Saloon. Free lessons are offered every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
Ongoing: For a complete list of concerts, festivals and happenings throughout Scottsdale and the Valley, visit ScottsdaleCVB.com or AZCentral.com.
Ongoing: Enjoy 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.
‘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.)