Nature’s Best
Talking Rock, Prescott, Ariz.
Mother Nature was dulyhonored in the creation of Talking Rock, a master planned resort community in Prescott, Ariz. Nearly a third of the site’s 3,500 acres is devoted to open space, preserving natural amenities and view corridors. And, as the judges were quick to note, “the developed part is historically sensitive, evoking the spirit of this one-time cattle ranch in its rustic architectural themes and low-slung buildings. The site’s rugged topography was something the planners viewed as an asset (not an obstacle), and it shows.”
In addition to a killer golf course that nestles quietly into the hills, other amenities include a 32,000-square-foot clubhouse and 25 miles of hiking/biking trails. The housing options aren’t too shabby either. They appeal to a variety of buyers, including those looking for a lock-and-leave lifestyle or the flexibility of a custom-designed home.
Homes vary in size from 2,200 to 7,500 square feet and are located on half- to two-acre lots. Traditional ranch architecture themes—expressed through extensive use of stone, wood, and metal—are integrated throughout the project and are part of the design guidelines for custom homes.
Even the name pays respect to what was there first. It comes from the nearly 2,000 American Indian petroglyphs in the ranch’s Inscription Canyon; Talking Rock donated the ancient petroglyph site to the indigenous Yavapai Indian Community for preservation and protection from development.—Kathleen Stanley
Award: Residential project of the year—detached; Builder: Renaissance Cos., Scottsdale: Developer: Harvard Investments, Scottsdale; Architect/Land planner: Swaback Partners, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Click here for a complete list of the 2008 Gold Nugget Award winners.
Click here to see Builder’s 2007 Gold Nugget Awards coverage.
Learn more about markets featured in this article: San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Seattle, WA.
