The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended to the town council conditional approval of the architectural design of the HSL Encantada luxury apartments at their meeting on April 1, 2025. The design is on tomorrow night's town council meeting agenda as a consent agenda item. The council will not discuss it unless a council member requests that they do so.
320 luxury apartments
The new development, consisting of 320 luxury apartment units across 14 buildings, will be situated near the southwest corner of Tangerine Road and Water Harvest Drive within the Oro Valley Marketplace. This project is part of a broader renewal initiative for the Marketplace, which also includes the construction of a new hotel scheduled to coincide with the apartments.
Fourteen two and three story buildings
The proposed development features a mixture of two-story and three-story buildings, complemented by a centrally located clubhouse and leasing office. Amenities for residents will include secured, gated areas. Architectural designs emphasize contemporary desert themes with horizontal bands, metal canopies, and stone veneer finishes. The buildings will incorporate design elements consistent with the existing aesthetics of the Marketplace, including varied parapets, facade articulations, and colors inspired by the Sonoran Desert.
Staff: New guidelines needed to accommodate
Staff member Michael Spade noted that the proposal aligns well with Oro Valley's existing architectural standards outlined in the Marketplace's Master Architectural Concept Plan (MACP). Given that the MACP did not originally anticipate apartment buildings, staff recommended conditional approval contingent upon updating this guiding document. Tim Smith of Swain Associates Architects added that the clubhouse would serve as an inviting central hub, with significant use of stone veneer strategically placed to enhance visual interest, particularly at pedestrian entrances.
Few commission questions
Commissioner Nichols raised questions about the relatively limited use of stone veneer compared to adjacent buildings within the Marketplace. Smith clarified that the stone finishes were intentionally concentrated around pedestrian entrances to clearly define these areas. Nichols also sought clarification about the placement of two-story versus three-story structures. Smith confirmed that the buildings east of Water Harvest Drive would all be three-story, while the west side of the project would include both two- and three-story buildings.
Project next moves to council approval
Upon approval by the council, the Marketplace's Master Architectural Concept Plan will be updated to include apartment building standards, ensuring consistency in future developments.
Fourteen two and three story buildings
The proposed development features a mixture of two-story and three-story buildings, complemented by a centrally located clubhouse and leasing office. Amenities for residents will include secured, gated areas. Architectural designs emphasize contemporary desert themes with horizontal bands, metal canopies, and stone veneer finishes. The buildings will incorporate design elements consistent with the existing aesthetics of the Marketplace, including varied parapets, facade articulations, and colors inspired by the Sonoran Desert.
Staff member Michael Spade noted that the proposal aligns well with Oro Valley's existing architectural standards outlined in the Marketplace's Master Architectural Concept Plan (MACP). Given that the MACP did not originally anticipate apartment buildings, staff recommended conditional approval contingent upon updating this guiding document. Tim Smith of Swain Associates Architects added that the clubhouse would serve as an inviting central hub, with significant use of stone veneer strategically placed to enhance visual interest, particularly at pedestrian entrances.
Few commission questions
Commissioner Nichols raised questions about the relatively limited use of stone veneer compared to adjacent buildings within the Marketplace. Smith clarified that the stone finishes were intentionally concentrated around pedestrian entrances to clearly define these areas. Nichols also sought clarification about the placement of two-story versus three-story structures. Smith confirmed that the buildings east of Water Harvest Drive would all be three-story, while the west side of the project would include both two- and three-story buildings.
Project next moves to council approval
Upon approval by the council, the Marketplace's Master Architectural Concept Plan will be updated to include apartment building standards, ensuring consistency in future developments.
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