The Storyrock Master Plan: Bringing a High-End Residential Vision to Scottsdale

Unique Topography

Provided creative design and engineering solutions for massive residential sites within the mountainous desert terrain of northern Scottsdale

Multi-faceted Partnerships

Served as a trusted advisor to a client on a local residential project, which resulted in the opportunity to work on Storyrock alongside five different home builders

Complex Zoning

Navigated a unique zoning and entitlement process, offering community engagement support and proposing designs that aligned with open space and roof height requirements

The Storyrock master plan with its variety of neighborhoods offers an iconic environment to call home—particularly for people searching for luxury living spaces surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Four Peaks, and McDowell Mountain. Kimley-Horn’s Storyrock role started after an opportunity with one client evolved into a decade-long project in partnership with multiple home builders, resulting in a more than 450-acre master planned site hosting hundreds of high-end homes.

Strategic Solutions for a Complex Location

Our clients on this project were Emmerson Holdings (the master developer) and five different home builders: Taylor Morrison, Shea Homes, David Weekley Homes, Rosewood Homes, and Toll Brothers. In collaboration with these clients, Kimley-Horn provided the following services for the extensive Storyrock project:

Because of the mountainous desert terrain, we creatively designed and engineered hillside developments, steep driveways, large retaining walls, and other drainage infrastructure throughout the site. Our water/wastewater professionals also designed two lift stations and retrofitted an existing lift station. Across project phases, we navigated challenging topography to bring to life the utility and transportation infrastructure that keeps Storyrock neighborhoods up-and-running to this day.

Navigating Entitlements, Community Engagement, and City Partnership

Throughout the zoning and entitlement process, Kimley-Horn and the rest of the project team worked tirelessly to help the project get approved. We partnered with the City of Scottsdale to align with their zoning requirements—including preserving half of the site as open space and implementing creative designs to meet rooftop height limitations. Our team also supported community engagement efforts, helping answer questions at public meetings and preparing exhibits to demonstrate Storyrock plans.

Zoning was approved in 2014, and the initial master plan and infrastructure were approved in 2019. In 2025, some neighborhoods were still under construction, while others were already welcoming new residents into their southwestern-style homes. With more than a decade of support for Storyrock and its project team, we are excited to watch residents make their own stories within these new Arizona living spaces.