As 3,500 acres of vacant desert is in the beginning stages of transformation into a master-planned employment hub along the west side of I-17 between Loop 303 and Carefree Highway, multifamily housing developers have responded in a big way to the need for more housing options in the North Phoenix Valley.
More than 1,900 multifamily housing units are either planned or proposed for development within the fast-growing area east of I-17 and Skunk Creek Wash between Sonoran Desert Drive and Dove Valley Road, defined as the North Gateway Village Core.
With Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s $12-billion silicon chip factory serving as the catalyst for the build out of North Phoenix 3500, aptly named for the net amount of developable acreage within the master-planned hub, Christine Mackay, City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director, spoke to the appeal of the area.
“From the gorgeous retail options in Norterra and Happy Valley to the incredible quality of life with mountain views, parks and preserves, It’s such a desirable place to live and now you’re seeing all the jobs coming in with the significant employment corridor that’s booming and that workforce is following them,” Mackay told Valley Vibe.
In 2020, The City of Phoenix announced a plan to address the housing shortage in Phoenix with the goal of creating or preserving 50,000 homes by 2030, and Mackay said these development plans and proposals happening in the North Valley and city-wide are a direct response to the need.
6 North Gateway Village Core Area Projects
(Between Sonoran Desert Drive and Dove Valley Road, east of I-17 bordered by Skunk Creek Wash and North Valley Parkway.)
1. Bronco Butte
398 Apartment-style Units
Location Adjacent to Legacy Sports Arena near the future southeast corner of the 29th Avenue and Bronco Butte Trail alignments bordered by Sonoran Desert Drive and Dove Valley Road.
Developer CWS Capital Partners
Project Details Site plans on the 20-acre parcel show 14 buildings with 132 one-bedroom units, 216 two-bedroom units, and 36 three-bedroom apartment-style rental units. Parking within the gated complex consists of a mix of garage space and reserved covered space. Two points of access are planned along 29th Avenue. The property was formerly owned by Legacy Sports Arena owner Rob Eaton who sold it in late 2021.
Status Approved by Phoenix City Council. Construction slated for early 2022.
2. 259 townhouse rentals, 360 apartment-style units (Yet to be named)
Location At the northeast corner of the future 29th Avenue alignment and Sonoran Desert Drive.
Developer Blueprint Capital
Project Details 40 acres zoned for multifamily residential and commercial development, with townhouse rentals planned on the eastern portion of the site and multifamily units across 15 buildings on the northwestern portion of the site. Site plans also include four commercial buildings on the southwestern side of the site.
Status Proposed. Approved by North Gateway Oct. 14, and Phoenix Planning Commission Nov. 4. Pending city council approval.
3. Acero Sonoran Desert
348 Apartment-style units
Location East of the northeast corner of I-17 & Sonoran Desert Drive bordered by Skunk Creek.
Developer IDM (Developer of Acero North Valley apartments behind Dove Valley Fry’s)
Project Details A gated three-story apartment complex on 17 acres with one- two- and three-bedroom options ranging between 768–1,330 square feet. Amenities include pools, playground, a dog park, pickleball courts, event lawn, community garden and connections to Skunk Creek Wash Trail.
Status Approved unanimously by North Gateway VPC on Dec. 9. Slated to go before Phoenix Planning Commission on Jan. 6 and Phoenix City Council on Feb. 2.
4. Village at Bronco Trail
354 units
Location Southwest corner of the future 29th Avenue and Bronco Butte Trail alignments.
Developer Empire Group
Project Details A mix of detached and attached rental units on a 40-acre-site with 32 developable acres proposed for the development of 126 one-bedroom units,189 two-bedroom units and 39 three-bedroom units. Community will feature a mix of garages and reserved covered parking spaces.
Status Proposed. Initial request denied at North Gateway Village Planning Committee on Nov. 4. Case heard by Phoenix Planning Commission Dec. 2 with approval pending reconsideration by North Gateway VPC in January.
5. 218 units (Yet to be named)
Location 29th Avenue alignment and Dove Valley Road
Developer Thompson Thrift
Project Details A mixed use site with four-story multifamily residential units,
Status Not yet under construction. Existing city zoning in place allowing for intermediate commercial and mid-rise development.
6. 240 single level units (Yet to be named)
Location Approximately 1,320 feet south of the southeast corner of North Valley Parkway and Sonoran Desert Drive, just outside the Village Core.
Developer EMC Management, LLC
Project Details A gated rental community on 23 acres with plans for approximately 240 units with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units with floor plans ranging between 680–1,282 square feet. Amenities include private outdoor yards for each unit, a clubhouse, pool, gaming area and dog park. Garages and a mix of covered and uncovered spaces.
Status Approved by Phoenix City Council in August. Final site plan design and elevations pending approval by North Gateway Village Planning Committee.
Anthem Area Multifamily Projects
7. 182 Townhomes (Yet to be named)
Location Southeast corner of 43rd Avenue and Old West Trail
Developer K. hovnanian
Project Details Two-story attached townhomes for sale on 17 acres. Townhomes planned on the north and south sides of the existing east-west private drive along the south side of the Goodwill store. Access points from 43rd Avenue and Frontage Road.
Status Not yet under construction. Approved by City of Phoenix Planning and Hearing Officer with stipulations.
8. Avilla Vista Norte
191 units
Location Northeast corner 43rd Avenue and Old West Trail
Developer Nex Metro
Project Details Detached residences for lease
Status Sitework scheduled to begin in 2022.
9. Arise North Phoenix
170 units
Location Southeast corner of Frontage Road and Arroyo Norte Drive.
Developer Family Development
Project Details A cottage-style development with detached residences. Plans include one- and two-bedroom single-family rental units with private entries and gated yards on 16 acres.
Status Not yet under construction. Approved by Phoenix City Council in July.
Toll Brothers Breaks Ground on Condos, Proposes Apartments
Earthwork is underway on a 168-unit condominium complex by Toll Brothers at the southeast corner of North Valley Parkway and Sonoran Desert Drive.
Targeting a spring 2022 opening, Valle Norte will offer single level and two-story attached units with garages for sale, said Kari Laslow, marketing director at Toll Brothers.
At the northeast corner of 19th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, Toll Brothers is in the early proposal stages of a 470 multifamily unit gated apartment complex on roughly 13 acres, according to site plans filed with the City of Phoenix. The community is named Lumara Apartment Homes.