Everything You Need to Know About Scottsdale's NEWEST Luxury Condo Development 2025 - Optima McDowell Mountain

I’ve had my eye on Optima McDowell Mountain for a while now — not just because it’s one of the most anticipated developments in North Scottsdale, but because this project is going to change the game for how people live in this pocket of the city. If you’ve ever driven past Optima Kierland and thought “I want that lifestyle but with a little more space, a little more mountain, and a little less hustle,” this is for you.

Location, Location, Location

Optima McDowell Mountain sits right off Scottsdale Road and the 101 loop — tucked near some of my favorite hiking trails, golf courses, and just minutes to Old Town or Kierland. It’s an unbeatable spot if you want to feel like you live in a resort but still have quick freeway access to… well, everything. Morning walk with your pup at sunrise? Easy. Dinner in Old Town? Fifteen minutes. A Target run because you forgot paper towels? Five.

Amenities Unlike No Other

If you’ve seen Optima Kierland, imagine a similar sleek, modern design — floor-to-ceiling glass, lush landscaping woven into the architecture, and that signature Optima resort-in-the-sky feel. But McDowell Mountain brings in softer desert tones, sweeping mountain views, and a little more calm. It’s for people who want luxury without being in the middle of the Kierland chaos.

Amenities (because we love a good amenities list):

Rooftop & Sky-Deck Amenities

• Olympic-length (50-meter) resort-style heated lap/ swimming pools on the rooftops of each building.

• Running tracks along the perimeter of each rooftop deck. 

• Spa / cold-plunge / sauna facilities integrated into the rooftop amenity decks. 

• Outdoor fireplaces, lounge seating and social seating zones with views. 

• Outdoor kitchens / BBQ grills / dining areas on the rooftop decks. 

• Covered arbors and lush landscaping on the rooftops, native plants cascading, seating zones. 

• Terraces from individual residences with outdoor space (private terraces) edged with trailing native plants.

Ground-Level / Lobby / Interior Amenity Features

• Spacious lobbies on each tower with high-ceilings, glass, natural light. 

• Fitness center(s) with strength and aerobic training equipment. 

• Yoga studio (indoor and outdoor) / Group fitness rooms. 

• Sauna & steam room for resident wellness and recovery. 

• Indoor basketball court. 

• Indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. 

• Bocce court. 

• Golf simulator plus outdoor putting/chipping green/area. 

• Dog park / pet spa for residents’ furry friends. 

• Kids’ play spaces (both indoor & outdoor). 

• Business center / conference rooms / coworking / residents’ club / game room / theater.

• Outdoor and indoor recreation zones in the central park/open-space area with seating, fire pits, synthetic surface recreation fields.

Community & Sustainability / Site Features

• Approximately 75% of the 22-acre site is open space (14+ acres) featuring landscaped areas, pedestrian & bike paths, putting greens, trails. 

• Signature vertical landscaping system: facades with lush plantings, native vines, drought-resistant vegetation cascading down the building. 

• 100% underground parking (reduces surface heat island effect, cleaner aesthetics).

• EV charging for residents/guests. 

• Water- and energy-efficient systems: largest private rainwater harvesting system in the U.S. (~210,000 gallons) for on-site irrigation. 

• Rooftop solar panels, high-performance heating/cooling (VRF systems) and sustainable construction codes (IECC + IgCC). 

• Bike & pedestrian paths linking to the Scottsdale Bicycle Master Plan network. 

Outdoor & Social Amenities

• Central courtyard with lush landscaping, seating areas, fire pits, synthetic surface recreation area. 

• Outdoor recreation fields/areas for informal games or lounging. 

• Dining/retail/restaurant space adjacent to or within the development (36,000 sq ft of commercial space planned) so amenities extend beyond living to lifestyle. 

Highlights for Pets & Families

• Pet friendly: dedicated dog park + pet spa means your dog or cat has amenity spaces too.

• Children’s play areas (indoor & outdoor) mean families are well-considered.

• Outdoor recreation + bike/ped paths mean kids and pets have freedom and space.

Pet Policies

Yes — it’s pet friendly! Dogs and cats are welcome, and the community is designed with plenty of walking areas (which is a big deal if you’ve ever tried to walk a dog around Kierland in the summer). They’re planning dedicated pet relief areas, but like other Optima communities, there will be reasonable breed restrictions and pet weight guidelines. 

Rental Rules & HOA Guidelines

If you’re an investor, this part’s important. Like Kierland, rentals are allowed — but with restrictions. Current planning indicates a minimum lease of 6 months, keeping the community residential and upscale (so no revolving door of weekend Airbnbs).

Owner-occupants and long-term tenants can enjoy the amenities fully. There will be standard HOA approval for leases, pet registration, and move-in coordination (which, honestly, is great for keeping the building well-managed).

HOA fees are expected to be in line with Kierland — think several hundred per month depending on floor plan size — but that includes access to all amenities, maintenance, security, and that signature lock-and-leave ease that Optima does best.

Floor Plans & Pricing

While final floor plans are still being rolled out, here’s what we know so far:

• 1-Bedroom Units: starting around 800–1,000 sq ft

• 2-Bedroom Units: 1,200–1,600 sq ft (most popular for downsizers + second-home buyers)

• 3-Bedroom Units: 1,800+ sq ft — rare, limited collection with sweeping mountain views

• Penthouses: limited, ultra-luxury with wraparound terraces

Pricing is expected to start in the $800Ks, with most two-bedrooms falling in the $1.1M–$1.5M range and penthouses crossing $2M+.

If you’ve seen what’s happened with Kierland resale values, you can imagine why this is getting so much attention already.

P.S. If you get in early, you get the chance to choose your view - and if you want more space, just tell the contractors you want to combine floorplans (limited time only)!

Timeline & Availability

The project is under construction with phased completion planned over the next couple of years. Early reservation opportunities are already happening — and trust me, if you’re serious, you want to be early. Kierland units were selling before the paint even dried. 

The first condo building is set for Fall 2027, but like most Optima's - these are selling quickly. 

My Take

Optima McDowell Mountain isn’t just another luxury condo project — it’s Scottsdale lifestyle dialed all the way up. Think: coffee on your terrace overlooking the mountains, walking your dog before the day heats up, popping downstairs to a yoga class, then meeting friends for dinner five minutes away. It’s community and convenience without sacrificing beauty or privacy.

If you want to keep tabs on floor plan releases, pricing drops, and early access opportunities, I’ll be sharing insider updates as they come in.

Inquire for the availability and pricing at Optima Mcdowell Mountain.

— Naudia
Your Scottsdale Insider (naudia@sellingsonoran.com, 702-686-4252)

Naudia Andrescavage is a McDowell Mountain Optima expert and Scottsdale realtor, with early access to availability and information on this exciting new development.  

Get the inside scoop at https://www.youtube.com/@LivingScottsdale.