Distinctively Scottsdale

The unique vibe and culture at the Palms originates from the community’s private courtyard that centers intimacy and comfort, the atmosphere that mid-century resorts were designed to create. Lush oasis-inspired tropical landscaping, the central heated swimming pool, wide open spaces, decorative designs provide the resort lifestyle that’s been so coveted by residents and vacationers for the last seven decades. 

Built first in the late 50’s as a motor inn resort, the Palms was one of the first boutique retreats in America. Hollywood A-listers flocked to these garden resorts on the block for vacation, including Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Wagner, and Marilyn Monroe. Motor-Inns were the predecessors of motels and offered the same basic comforts as hotels but with more flexibility, freedom and sense of community.

The 7 decades of history in the building and layout have been preserved. 60+ years later, residents are still enjoying the Scottsdale sun, the intimate courtyard, with a heated salt water pool and well kept common area.

Scottsdale Palms surely puts the garden in the Garden Apartment District. The neighborhood still boasts 15 unique properties that have kept their character, and make up the core of the neighborhood. They give tours to people wanting to experience the embodiment of the culture with properties such as: The Americana, Fontainebleau, Shalimar Sands, Granada, El Dorado and Capri. Marketed specifically to the seasonal winter tourist, the complexes in the district were located directly south of the Hotel Valley Ho, which opened in 1956.

Scottsdale’s Garden Apartment District is currently under study by the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission to determine historic significance. The historic preservation initiative is critical to the community. Learn more about who’s leading the way with efforts for our neighborhood to become a historic district.

What drove vacationers from across the country was the allure of the atmosphere. Not only is the weather enticing, but the architecturally significant designs created a sense of place.

The dramatic entry was another technique builders employed to exemplify the midcentury Scottsdale look. Utilizing a post & beam type of framing, the building uses textile blocks, unique staircases, ornate arrangement of wall materials, and decorative entry overhangs to create a vivid and striking experience.

Well suited to the climate of Southern California, the appreciation for indoor/outdoor living came to Scottsdale in the late 50s, with the goal of marketing their properties to the affluent travelers. This coincided notably with the advent of air conditioning units first becoming widely affordable. All of a sudden, everyday Americans were able to enjoy cool comfort year round. Scottsdale, along with other sunbelt cities became a tolerable spot to enjoy the new modern American life.

Fountains, sculptures, mosaics and mural artwork were common for the neighborhood, including other features, such as decorative terraces, stairways and balconies, theme art and modern metal signage.

Arguably the best feature of the Palms is the location, snuggled smack dab in the middle of the Garden District with the walkability and proximity to everything you need. Just minutes walk away is an endless mix of incredible restaurants of all types, resorts, coffee shops, convenience stores, nightlife, lounges, retail shops and entertainment.

The ten-minute rule applies here . A short ten minute drive will find you in Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Mesa, Uptown, the Biltmore, Paradise Valley, North Scottsdale and even on the reservation. All just a hop, skip and jump away.

We’re also proud to boast being on the quiet side of Old Town, where the noisiest thing you may hear is laughter coming from the passerby, walking their dog or peddling their beach cruisers.

An emphasis on indoor-outdoor living is clearly felt at the palms. Sliding glass front resort doors and terraces allow all units and residents to fully experience the courtyard that opens inward. Dramatic lighting casts focus on the pool, entryways and landscaping. Period artwork cast into the walls, along with intricate textures and planters showcase the intersection of art and living.

Wide breezeways and corridor arrangements coupled with mature landscaping and thoughtful design to enclose the space, shields the living units and recreational areas from the street. You can smell the large orange and banana trees, and gaze upon the endless number of palm trees lining the property, all helping to provide gorgeous and tasteful privacy to residents.

In 1958, the property originally opened as the Jacaranda. Named after sub-tropical trees (still on property) planted because of their attractive and long-lasting pale indigo flowers.

The resort lifestyle was made popular by the nearby (now demolished) Safari resort and the iconic Valley Ho, still a neighborhood favorite. The Palms and other garden properties were built to further this lifestyle trend. 30-some years later, around 1990, the property was rezoned and converted to condominiums.

Fast forward to today where the only major changes are the lack of shuffleboard, polyester, beehives and good ol Detroit steel parked out front. The units where the resort manager, maids and housekeeping stayed and worked are still here, but have since been converted to condos.

Now if we could figure out how to bring the maids back – that’d certainly be an amenity welcomed back to the Palms!

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The condos at the Palms are individually owned. Residents are a healthy mix of owners and both short and long-term renters. If you have any questions, you can contact the property management company: The Management Trust – 15010 N 78^th Way, Suite 206 Scottsdale Arizona, 85260

Phone: 480-284-55513.