// BLOG
Things to do in December
December 20, 2012
Light up the Night: The soft glow from more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights illuminate the night during the Desert Botanical Garden’s annual Las Noches de las Luminarias event, 
one of the Valley’s longest and most beloved holiday traditions. The event, which is celebrating its 35th year, runs through the end of December.
Art Appreciation: Every Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m., the art galleries of Old Town Scottsdale open their doors to art lovers, people-watchers and passers-by for the Scottsdale ArtWalk. This 30-year tradition celebrates the artful heritage of our city with delightfully original works ranging from cutting-edge contemporary to Southwest traditional.
Everybody Loves a Parade: Now in its 42nd year, the Fiesta Bowl parade features a rainbow of brightly colored floats, magnificent helium balloons, equestrian units, specialty groups, charitable organizations and local celebrities. It also showcases the participants and winners of various Fiesta Bowl events, including the Fiesta Bowl Band Championship and Fiesta Bowl Twirl-Pom-Cheer & Flag Championship, along with the Fiesta Bowl Queen and her Court. Catch all the pageantry as the event marches down Central Avenue in Phoenix starting at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29.
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.
The Plaza Lofts: Where it’s Always the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
December 18, 2012
The Plaza Lofts is the only luxury condo community in Scottsdale and Phoenix that offers a true Main-Street-inspired lifestyle. And when Main Street is all gussied up in its holiday finery, well, that’s just icing on the cake. Beyond the glitter and glitz of the twinkle lights and decorations, though, is the truly attractive combination of well-appointed residences and a Kierland Commons location that can’t help but win over Arizona home-seekers. Here, everyday life is extraordinary – from the lofts themselves to the community amenities to the surrounding neighborhood. Each Plaza Lofts residence boasts a smart, spacious floor plan and high-end finishes. Meanwhile, the community rooms, fitness center and sun decks enhance the classic carefree lifestyle our residents enjoy, 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. Drop by and see what we mean when we say at The Plaza Lofts, it’s always the most wonderful time of the year.
Convenience & Luxury: Featured Loft 434
November 28, 2012
November’s featured residence is loft 434. At 1,235 square feet with one bedroom and one and a half bathrooms, this luxury condo is the last remaining Plaza Lofts floor plan of its kind. This north-facing Scottsdale loft – with enviable views of the city lights, McDowell Mountains, Kierland Golf Course, sunrises and sunsets – lends well to hosting, thanks to connected living and dining spaces that flow into a high-end gourmet kitchen with Wolf, Sub-Zero and Asko appliances. Meanwhile, the master bedroom and adjacent bath provide a spacious spot to nest and rest. In addition to a well-appointed dwelling, Loft 434 residents will enjoy a lengthy list of community amenities and access to the shops, restaurants and entertainment special to Kierland Commons.
Less is More
November 20, 2012
Faced with empty nests and more space than they actually use, homeowners across the country are reassessing their living situations and fueling what real estate experts are calling the residential “right-sizing” trend.
Rather than merely downsizing, residential right-sizing refers to a cultural shift that emerged several years ago as the economic downturn collided with the first wave of Baby Boomers turning 65. Homeowners of all ages – but especially empty nesters – started rethinking their large homes filled with unused space and possessions, and instead began focusing on smaller homes that better fit their needs.
Our residents understand this trend. In fact, they’re living it. Their reasons for choosing The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons may vary, but they all share one thing in common: they’re thankful they’re here. Here’s what a few of our residents had to say about why they love their homes at The Plaza Lofts.
“We get up every morning, walk the dog, walk to Chloe’s for coffee and work out in the exercise facility. We love the whole combination of not having any upkeep and the convenience of being able to walk to a nice dinner and not having to drive. My husband always thought it would be fun to live in a downtown setting, and this is the closest we’ll probably get.” – Jamie Low.
Jamie and her husband, Mike, moved to the Plaza Lofts four and a half years ago from a large home at the Orange Tree Golf Club in Scottsdale after their daughter left for college. They both still work full-time.
“We really like the lifestyle here. For us, it wasn’t really about downsizing. It was about being part of a community. We were down here once a week at least for shopping and doctor appointments and decided this is just where we wanted to live. We love the people here. We take full advantage of every amenity. Most of all, I love my home. It’s very bright and airy and has a wonderful patio where our 3-pound yorkie can go outside without the threat of animals.” – Gretchen Coco.
Gretchen and her husband, Michael, relocated from The Boulders in north Scottsdale a little more than a year ago.
“We retired and wanted to move near our kids. We didn’t want to take care of the landscaping, the pool or the roof anymore. For us, it’s important to live as carefree a life as we can, and that’s what we’ve achieved at the Plaza Lofts. The best thing is the location. Kierland Commons was where we always hung out when we visited our children. We thought, this is exactly what we should be doing, so we moved here. I can’t rave enough about it. We plan to live here forever.” – Phyllis (last name withheld by request)
Phyllis and her husband, Joe, moved to the Plaza Lofts five years ago from a large home in Tucson.
Are you ready to right-size, yet?
Giving Thanks
November 19, 2012
Heading into Thanksgiving week, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with UMOM New Day Centers, the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona. This is the third consecutive year Plaza Lofts residents have pooled their time and resources to purchase, pack and deliver the fixings for 73 complete Thanksgiving dinners, which will be enjoyed by UMOM families this week. For food, for families, for a sense of community and the chance to extend a helping hand - for these, we give thanks.
Beautiful November Weather is Here! Enjoy it in and Around Kierland Commons
November 16, 2012
Batter Up! The boys of summer may have all gone home, but in Valley of the Sun, the baseball action continues through the end of November with Arizona Fall League. Owned and operated by all 30 Major League Baseball clubs, AFL is considered the last stop before the big leagues for many up and coming young players. The season wraps up Nov. 17 with a championship game at Scottsdale Stadium.
Celebrate Art: Get a jump on your holiday shopping Nov. 17-18 at the annual ArtFest of Scottsdale, where more than 200 artists from across the country will showcase contemporary arts and crafts in the beautiful sculpture garden setting of Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza. The event – one of the Valley’s most popular traditions — includes live music, tasty food and ample free parking.
Ancient History: The Hohokam Indians were among the state’s first residents. Hear more about the Hohokam culture and the archaeological history of Cave Creek’s Spur Cross Conservation Area during “Hohokam Houses – the Ruins of Spur Cross,” a Nov. 25 hike-and-learn event sponsored by the Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department. The outing includes a 2.5-mile hike led by an interpretive ranger and an up-close look at prehistoric Hohokam dwellings.
Cheap Cuppa Joe: Get your morning coffee fix for a mere 50 cents at Chloe’s Corner, where a 12 ounce cup of organic, locally roasted Costa Rican blend will start your day off on the right foot. You don’t even have to order food to get the deal. The restaurant is conveniently located right in our Kierland Commons neighborhood.
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.
Fall Festivities in Kierland Commons and Beyond
October 19, 2012
Fun on the Farm: Steaming bowls of chili, fresh cornbread, hay rides, carousel rides, a pumpkin patch, pig races and more are in store at the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Festival in Queen Creek each Thursday through Sunday in October. The event has been voted “Arizona’s Best Family Fall Experience” by the readers of Sunset Magazine and has garnered numerous other awards and accolades over its long history.
Saturday Night Concert Series: Take advantage of the season’s cooler evening temperatures by heading over to Scottsdale Quarter for “Live at the Quarter,” a Saturday night concert series presented 5-7 p.m., every Saturday through Nov. 24 on The Quad. Musical entertainment runs the gamut from pop hits to classic rock favorites.
Fall Opening Celebration: Join the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art as it kicks off the fall season with a celebration showcasing its latest exhibits and exhibitors, including Héctor Zamora, Sherin Guirguis and Phoencian Carrie Marill, 7-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26.
Two Tributes to American Indian Soldiers: The Heard Museum honors American Indian soldiers with two exhibits opening Saturday, Oct. 27 and running through Sunday, March 3. Navajo Code Talkers: Photographs by Kenji Kawano is a collection of portraits telling the story of this distinguished group of World War II veterans who remained unrecognized for years after the war due to the secretive nature of their work. The show runs concurrently with Native Words, Native Warriors, an exhibition on loan to the museum from the Smithsonian Institution. Inspiring and poignant, Native Words, Native Warriors pays tribute to the roles Native Americans played during both World War I and World War II.
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.
Two-Bedroom Beauty: Featured Loft 736
October 17, 2012
October’s featured property is Loft 736, a spacious north-facing Scottsdale loft that measures 2,047 square feet with a split two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom floor plan. In fact, it’s one of only two remaining Plaza Lofts that feature the popular layout in which connected living and dining spaces divide two spacious bedroom retreats, each with its own bathroom.
Spectacular views of the McDowell Mountains and Kierland Golf Course lie just beyond a wall of windows stretching more than 9 feet high. The loft’s seventh-floor perch provides the perfect viewing platform for enjoying Arizona’s classic sunrises and sunsets, or the city lights after the sun goes down. Push back the stackable glass doors, and the generous balcony becomes an extension of the residence’s living quarters.
In addition to a well-appointed dwelling – this loft features a gourmet kitchen with Wolf, Sub-Zero and Asko appliances , two walk-in closets and a spacious laundry room – Loft 736 residents are privy to a lengthy list of amenities and access to the shops, restaurants and entertainment special to Kierland Commons.
We’re a Trend-Setter!
October 15, 2012
A new report from the George Washington School of Business confirms what we’ve been saying all along – that pedestrian-friendly, urban neighborhoods are becoming the real estate option of choice for people who have grown tired of the suburbs. “D.C.: The WalkUP Wake-Up Call” assigns a new label to these preferred locales, calling them WalkUPs — short for Walkable Urban Places — and concludes, “The research has found that WalkUPs, a niche market 20 years ago, are becoming the market of the future, both in the metro D.C. area and, likely, in the rest of the nation’s metropolitan areas.”
In places like The Valley of the Sun, where sprawl has enjoyed a lengthy reign as king, this information is especially relevant. Our homebuyers at The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons regularly validate the results of this study. Many of our residents have downsized from larger homes in the suburbs and tell us they’re more than happy to live in a neighborhood where the city’s best restaurants, shopping and entertainment are within steps of their front doors. (Check out our Walk Score by scrolling to the bottom of this page on our website).
Shuttle service also is available from Kierland Commons to The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Kierland Golf Club and the Scottsdale Quarter. If you’re interested in learning more about how The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons is leading the WalkUP trend in metro Phoenix, take a look at our offerings here. Or call Signature Properties at 480-355-0207 to learn more and schedule a tour.
One More Fun Thing to Do in our Neigborhood
October 3, 2012
Kowabunga! The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa celebrates the grand opening of its FlowRider this weekend, Oct. 5-7. Described as the “ultimate surf machine,” the FlowRider is said to offer the look of surfing, the ride of snowboarding, the tricks of skateboarding and equipment similar to wakeboarding. We can hardly wait to dust off our board shorts and Hang Ten!