By CITIEA
Some neighborhoods sell themselves on location. Kierland sells itself on the way a day actually feels when you live there. The 730-acre master-planned community in North Scottsdale puts championship golf, walkable retail, resort amenities, and some of the valley's most diverse housing stock on the same stretch of land — and it sits just off the 101 with Scottsdale Airport minutes away. We work with a lot of buyers who come to us with Kierland on their list after visiting once. It tends to make a strong first impression, and the more you look at it, the more it holds up.
Key Takeaways
- Kierland is a 730-acre master-planned community at the north end of Scottsdale Road's resort corridor, bordering Phoenix and Scottsdale
- The Westin Kierland Golf Club offers 27 holes across three distinct Scott Miller-designed nines, managed by Troon Golf
- Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter together create one of the most walkable retail and dining districts in North Scottsdale
- Housing options range from single-family homes to high-rise condominiums, including the Optima Kierland towers
Golf and Resort Living at the Center of the Community
The Westin Kierland Golf Club anchors the community's recreational identity. Designed by Scott Miller and managed by Troon Golf, the course offers 27 holes organized across three distinct nine-hole courses — the Acacia, Ironwood, and Mesquite nines — which can be combined in any order for an 18-hole round. The course features over 300 bunkers, mountain views, desert washes, and rolling terrain, and has been ranked among the best public courses in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area by Golf Advisor and Golf Digest. It has also earned the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification for environmental stewardship.
Adjacent to the golf course is the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, a 250-acre destination property with multiple dining venues, the Agave Spa, and an adventure water park that includes a 110-foot waterslide and a 900-foot lazy river. Residents of the Kierland neighborhood can walk to the resort, which functions as both a draw for visitors and a genuine amenity for people who live nearby.
What Makes the Golf and Resort Access Distinctive
- Three nine-hole courses designed by Scott Miller allow residents to mix and match rounds rather than repeat the same layout
- Troon Golf management and year-round conditioning mean the course is maintained at resort standards throughout the season
- The Westin Kierland's water park, spa, and dining are accessible to non-guests, making the resort a regular part of community life
- Scottsdale Airport is approximately five minutes away — a practical advantage for frequent travelers
The Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter Shopping District
One of Kierland's most discussed lifestyle advantages is its walkability to retail and dining. Kierland Commons spans 38 acres in an open-air, pedestrian-friendly layout with over 70 specialty retailers and restaurants, including Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, Michael Kors, and Banana Republic. Across Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Quarter adds a second major retail corridor with Apple, Lululemon, Dominick's Steakhouse, True Food Kitchen, and a rooftop lounge.
Together, the two districts create a level of walkable retail access that is rare in the Phoenix metro, where most shopping requires a drive. For residents of Kierland's attached condos and lofts — including those in The Plaza Lofts, which sit directly above Kierland Commons — the distinction between home and the neighborhood is nearly seamless.
Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment Within Walking Distance
- Kierland Commons: 38-acre open-air shopping district with over 70 retailers and restaurants
- Scottsdale Quarter: complementary high-end retail and dining across Scottsdale Road, including rooftop and outdoor entertainment spaces
- Both districts are accessible on foot from most Kierland residences and all three Optima Kierland buildings
The combination of the resort corridor and the shopping districts has also positioned Kierland as one of the most sought-after areas for buyers relocating from coastal urban markets who want retail density without giving up the space and quality of life the Phoenix metro offers.
Housing Options Across the Kierland Community
Kierland's 730 acres support a notably diverse inventory of housing types, which gives buyers at different price points and life stages access to the same amenities and location. Single-family homes, built primarily between 1995 and 1998 by UDC, range from 1,600 to 3,500 square feet in single-story and two-story configurations. Most back up to the golf course or community green space, with views of Pinnacle Peak and the McDowell Mountains from many properties.
For buyers who want high-rise living, Optima Kierland on the northeast corner of Kierland Commons offers three luxury condominium towers with resort-style amenities. The Plaza Lofts, constructed between 2005 and 2008, offer floor plans from 1,100 to 2,800 square feet and provide Main Street-style urban living directly above the shopping district.
Kierland Housing at a Glance
- Single-family homes: 1,600–3,500 square feet, many with golf course or mountain views, built 1995–1998
- Optima Kierland: three high-rise condominium towers with luxury amenities and golf and mountain views
- The Plaza Lofts: 84 luxury residences ranging from 1,100–2,800 square feet above Kierland Commons
- Kierland Greens: gated condo community steps from the golf course, Westin Resort, and both shopping districts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kierland technically in Scottsdale or Phoenix?
Kierland sits on the border of Scottsdale and Phoenix. The community spans both jurisdictions, with Scottsdale Road serving as the approximate dividing line between Kierland Commons to the west and Scottsdale Quarter to the east. Most of the residential portion falls within the Paradise Valley Unified School District regardless of which side of the border the individual property sits on.
How close is Kierland to Scottsdale Airport?
Scottsdale Airport is approximately five minutes from Kierland by car, making it one of the most convenient locations in the valley for buyers who travel frequently by private or charter aircraft.
What types of buyers are most drawn to Kierland?
Kierland attracts a wide range: downsizers from North Scottsdale estates who want to trade maintenance for walkability, buyers relocating from coastal cities who want retail and restaurant access at home, and part-time Arizona residents who want a lock-and-leave property near the Westin and Scottsdale's resort corridor.
Connect with CITIEA Today
Kierland is one of the most complete communities in North Scottsdale — a rare combination of golf, walkable retail, resort access, and housing variety in a single master-planned footprint.
Reach out to us, CITIEA, to find the right fit in Kierland or anywhere across Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the East Valley.
