For years, Desert Mountain in North Scottsdale has been the ultimate Valley location to build a luxury home. The Club has 6 clubhouses and golf courses, restaurants, a tennis club with 9 courts, 2 swimming pools, pickleball courts, a new 45,000 SF Spa & Fitness Center, and 15 miles of private hiking trails on a member owned 3,000 acre Preserve, which is adjacent to Tonto National Forest.
In the Gambel Quail Preserve Village, just minutes from Desert Mountain’s guard-gated entry, 9447 East Covey Trail is also protected by a second gated entry just for Gambel Quail residents. And, the Desert Mountain security service patrols 24/7.
The house, on just under an acre, has a total of 7,419 SF under roof. It includes 5,319 SF of air-conditioned living space, 1,000 SF of air-conditioned garage, and another 1,100 SF of additional garages. The home has five ensuite bedrooms. The spacious master bathroom features two separate toilet and vanity rooms and two walk-in closets. A large whirlpool tub and shower center the bath area.
The owner couple worked closely with noted Valley architect Shelby Wilson to ensure that this uniquely constructed home was approved by Scottsdale and Desert Mountain review. Because only they have lived in the home, two of the bedrooms have been used as offices and one as a work-out room; they are easily reconfigured. The home also has a powder room.
The husband’s family were noted craftsmen of furniture for well-to-do families, so he found the renowned Ken Zevenberger to select the Honduran mahogany and other special woods to craft the front door, the master bedroom furniture and his office furniture.
The artist Richard Mocco crafted the gates to the motor coach garage, the gates surrounding the house and the creative ocotillo design attached to what Wilson called the “alpha” interior doors of the house. Considered an “artist’s artist,” Mocco received his master of fine arts degree from the highly respected Pratt Institute.
Recreational-vehicle enthusiasts can use the 1,000-square-foot air-conditioned garage for a 45-foot motor coach. This space could also be used for a car collection, a party of Ferraris, a pistol range, art studio, a major party room or another purpose fitting the new owner’s imagination and desires.
And, the home has another 1,100 square feet of additional garages; one large enough for a truck camper or Sprinter van or more collector cars, the other for a golf cart or ATV and a SUV.
This custom home has been built to the highest standards. “The house is unique, primarily because of the quality—from the foundations to the walls to the roof,” says the husband. There is a built in pest control tube system and marine plywood was used instead of OSB board. “There were no shortcuts, and everything is far beyond code.” And the beauty of the residence is enhanced by the interior and exterior natural stone work, the quartzite flooring and well maintained copper trim.
“We spent a lot of time on this project before we even started building,” he adds. “We spec’d out the house and selected all of the materials. And, when we started building, my wife, who knows quality –– her dad was a home builder in South Florida –– would visit the site every day and even vacuumed between the studs every night before the walls went up.”
One instance of the attention to detail is that to support a 50,000-plus-pound motor coach and to maintain structural consistency, all of the foundations are 8-inch-thick reinforced steel and concrete. Standard driveways specify 6 inches of reinforced concrete, he explains.
The home is built solid with steel framing and beams. “We traveled to about eight lumber mills throughout British Columbia,” he recalls. “When we finally found a yard making a quality 2 x 4, they refused to sell us what we needed. This quality was called ‘Japan’ quality for shipment to Japan. So we decided on commercial grade steel to frame the house.”
In addition, the water and sewer pipes are above code, and the home has six zones for air-conditioning and five for heating, providing flexibility and lower energy bills than a similarly sized home without this.
The views from the three patios are beyond standard. One large rear patio overlooks a waterfall, pool and spa and the Renegade golf course; a terrace patio from the upstairs office views the 15th tee; and a patio in front is a theater for sunsets. From these differing perspectives, the wife, a photographer of wildlife and landscapes, has developed a portfolio of great shots.
“This home has been the love of our life for almost 16 years: private, secure and serene,” she says. “We wanted to do it right when we built, and we both know it will be just right for the next owners.”
To inquire about seeing this unique custom home in one of America’s premier golf communities, call 602.726.3116 or e-mail dlb9471@gmail.com.
see www.goo.gl/y1ps31 for Tour Factory photos
see www.desertmountain.com for Desert Mountain Community Details
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