Scottsdale, Arizona, is known for its golf courses, resorts, and shopping districts. But just outside this bustling tourist town is a peaceful desert community that offers a more intimate experience for the local population in the area.
About 10 miles from Scottsdale’s downtown, Scottsdale Waterfront is located on the banks of the Lower Salt River. The community offers large lots with ample room to grow and space to build new developments as it expands.
It also boasts excellent access to public transportation in Phoenix – including light rail, bus stops, and express buses that can take you directly into downtown Phoenix or its neighboring communities such as Tempe or Mesa.
History of Scottsdale Waterfront
The one tidbit found on Scottsdale Waterfront is construction was completed in 2005, and the community was officially opened in 2006. That is when I purchased my lot and started my transformation into a waterfront community.
Initially known as the Copper Sky Shopping Center, Scottsdale Waterfront is a development that was constructed along Main Street Road in Scottsdale, Arizona [map].
Before April 1998, when ownership of the property changed and new owner Donald Loomis started to develop plans for a more up-to-date shopping center than what we have today, the area was left vacant for several years.
Arizona Canal
To transform this open space into a modern-style shopping and dining center, he had to do something about the one thing holding it back – the Arizona Canal. Due to safety concerns for people on the other side of the canal, Mr. Loomis decided to move the canal and build a brick walkway from Scottsdale Road all along Main Street Road, creating The Arizona Canal Walk [map].
It gave Scottsdale Waterfront two bridges leading into an area with sidewalks, lots of stores and restaurants, a small park for children, and beautiful landscaping peppered with palm trees.
After moving and rerouting the canal, Mr. Loomis decided to transform this friendly desert community into a more modern neighborhood that would be welcoming to families and retirees.
He enlisted the help of award-winning master-planned community developer Shea Homes, Inc., who designed new homes built around the Arizona Canal Walkway. It gave Scottsdale Waterfront a small-town feel within the middle of a big city.
The resort-style amenities and proximity to Phoenix make Scottsdale Waterfront an ideal place for families and retirees – as well as people looking for second homes or rental properties close to downtown Phoenix or its neighboring communities such as Tempe or Mesa.
Notable Shops in Scottsdale Waterfront
1. The Yacht Club, Scottsdale Waterfront
The Yacht Club is located in the center of Scottsdale Waterfront – right along the Arizona Canal. This quaint little gift shop offers a great selection of gifts and souvenirs that one can find right along the waterway, where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a beautiful view. You might even get lucky enough to see some sailboats or other yachts floating by in the canal from The Yacht Club’s patio seating area.
2. The Garden Cottage, Scottsdale Waterfront
Over 20 years have passed since The Garden Cottage first opened. Bob Walker, the proprietor, keeps the shop stocked with herbs, plants, and other landscaping supplies. The store also offers gardening tools such as planters and pruners – though it mainly focuses on gift shop items like gourmet food products or garden decor.
3. Jamba Juice, Scottsdale Waterfront
This little juice bar is situated right next to The Yacht Club – though not right on the canal. You can enjoy a nice cold smoothie or freshly squeezed juice while watching people on the canal walkway.
4. Aloha Sushi, Scottsdale Waterfront
Not directly on the waterway, but just a short distance from Jamba Juice, is this tiny sushi restaurant. They have tons of great lunch specials to keep your taste buds happy. It is notable as it is one of the only places on Scottsdale Waterfront with a view of the canal.
5. Cafe Rio, Scottsdale Waterfront
Cafe Rio has a rich and varied menu that they are known for. From their Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine items to their gourmet burgers, salads, and burritos – there is plenty to tempt you on your way to The Yacht Club or The Garden Cottage. It is notable as it has the only two-way direct canal access in the area.
Real Estate Options in Scottsdale Waterfront
Scottsdale Waterfront has one of Arizona’s most extensive varieties of real estate choices. The community offers a little bit of everything, including custom homes, villas, Mediterranean-style townhomes, single-family homes, and condos – as well as all types of apartments (dormitory style, independent living – and even assisted living).
Many home and condo options contain varying building materials that one can find all around Scottsdale Waterfront. The blend of styles and materials at each home or condo makes this community as appealing to today’s modern family as it was when first built more than two decades ago.
Condos Near Scottsdale Waterfront
There are many condominiums surrounding the Scottsdale Waterfront – some of which include:
1. The Island at Lake Oswego, Scottsdale Waterfront
The Island at Lake Oswego is a condo complex built on Scottsdale Waterfront after the community’s first wave of homes had already been built. It features townhomes featuring up to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Each townhome has a private balcony and sits near the Arizona Canal with an orange grove in the back for privacy.
2. The Water’s Edge, Scottsdale Waterfront
This condo complex was built in 1997 and featured 19 townhomes of 2 or 3-bedroom spaces. Each condo has a private balcony that overlooks the Arizona Canal, and they are located right next to several shops, including The Garden Cottage and The Yacht Club.
They were built in the Mediterranean style – with stucco exteriors and tan tile roofs. The average list price for a 2-bedroom condo at The Water’s Edge is $189,000 at the time of this writing.
Single Family Homes near Scottsdale Waterfront
Southwest Village is a neighborhood built on the history of Scottsdale Waterfront. Families built their current homes just between 2005 and 2007 along the canal. This area was initially built in the 1920s as a residential community, which you will see in their brick buildings.
Many homes in Southwest Village’s distinctively styled neighborhood have distinctive landscaping, such as old fruit trees or Mediterranean-style gardens. The price range of these homes spans from $200K to more than 1 million dollars – with most being in that middle price range at around $425,000 to $550K.
Hidden Village and Southlake are other neighborhoods that sit next to Southwest Village. These neighborhoods were built in the 1990s along the canal and featured several styles for each home. Hidden Village is known for its stucco exteriors with stone accents, while Southlake is known for its classic look and modern architecture.
Townhomes near Scottsdale Waterfront
Luxian Villas on Camelback is a community located just north of the Scottsdale Waterfront. It was built in the 1980s as townhomes with 3-4 bedrooms and two baths.
They featured stucco exteriors with tiled roofs and were built in an H style. The average list price for a 3-bedroom townhome at Luxian Villas on Camelback is $255,000 at the time of this writing.
Conclusion
Scottsdale Waterfront is a unique community that has a little something for everyone. With shopping, dining, and entertainment options for those who love to shop and trails for those who love to hike or run, Scottsdale Waterfront has something for everyone.
This community also sits on the Arizona Canal, making it a popular place for residents to visit on any given day. Scottsdale Waterfront is also home to some unique homes in the entire state of Arizona. If you are looking for homes that have a little style and charm, this is the perfect place to search.
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