This article appeared in Southwest Contractor magazine in March 2005

High-End Living in a High Rise

By K. Robert Wendel

High-end living in a high rise is taking shape along the Camelback Corridor with the construction of a new, 15-story condominium tower that will be capped off with the Valley's first "green roof."

The project is also Chicago-based Optima Development's first foray into the Phoenix market after spending 25 years in the Chicago area. The firm also has plans for a new high-rise condo project in the Scottsdale waterfront area.

"We researched from coast to coast, from Florida to California, to find the best place to open a second market," said Optima principal and architect David Hovey. "We found the best and most advantageous place to be was in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area."

Optima is the developer, architect and general contractor and owner on all of their projects.

The new condo project on 24th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix features 15-stories above grade with three-stories below grade for resident parking. The ground level features 8,000 sq. ft. of retail space, with the building totaling 550,000 sq. ft. Floor plates vary in size because the building steps back in many places.

One tower features a pool, spa, fire pit, misters and movable screens for hosting private parties, while the other provides a quiet retreat for communing with nature and enjoying the views. Each tower has two high-speed elevators, and each residence includes a private, indoor parking space.

Units range from 800 to 2,500 sq. ft., with many owners buying two units and combining them. Condo prices range from $300,000 to $1.3 million per unit.

The design of the building creates a unique outdoor living environment for residents. The building's angled contours give corner views for almost every unit and each unit has a private, covered outdoor living space.

"Because of the climate, the outdoor patio is really an extension of the living space," said Optima senior vice president T.J. Lenick. "The patio is recessed so it gives the sense of a room rather than having a balcony hanging off the side of the building."

The project features several environmentally friendly components. On the "green roof," contractors will construct a lightweight pan to hold specially engineered dirt that is lighter that conventional dirt, but still contains all the nutrients. The green roofs are also used throughout the project where the elevations change and the building steps back so many condos will have a view of nature.

The green roof also cuts back heat gain and lowers the building's ambient temperature. The roof doubles as recreation area with a pool, spa, and arbors for shade.

"Green roofs are a combination of technical advantages as well as aesthetic advantages," Hovey said. "One of the main advantages is that a green roof protects the waterproofing because the material isn't exposed to ultraviolet light."

The arbors serve another function as mounts for photovoltaic cells that generate electricity. S Diamond Steel, is the miscellaneous metals contractor for the arbors. The solar cell energy will be used in the building's common areas, which can mean lower homeowner association bills.

"This is one of the first condos using photovoltaic cells in the Valley," said Eileen Hovey, a principal with Optima. "Solar energy is the gift that keeps on giving and it cuts costs."

The project relies on a central plant for heating and cooling with two chillers.

Each unit has a heat pump for individual control. The mechanical system was designed by Energy Systems Design of Phoenix and installed by Midstate Mechanical, also of Phoenix.

Optima uses both concrete and steel when constructing a project, depending on the bay sizes. At the Optima Biltmore project, smaller bay sizes led the design team to use cast-in-place concrete. Contractors will use more than 2,300 cu. yds. The 10-in. thick concrete floors are an added advantage by virtually eliminating any noise transfer issues.

All condo units feature floor to ceiling glazing with sun shades employed in some parts of the building to cut sunlight. The building's entire façade is an aluminum curtain wall.

"It's a really high end curtain wall," Lenick said. "There's a tremendous amount of fenestration because we strive for an openness in the architecture."