Choosing a home at Optima Kierland is not just about finding the right square footage. It is about finding the right building, the right stack, and the right daily experience for how you want to live. If you are comparing options in this North Scottsdale community, a clear framework can help you narrow the field faster and avoid costly guesswork. Let’s dive in.
Start With Tower Type
The first question is simple: are you comparing condo towers or apartment towers? At Optima Kierland, 7120 and 7180 are the condominium towers, while 7140, 7160, and 7190 are the apartment towers.
That matters because each tower has its own identity, amenity mix, and feel. Even before you study a floor plan, you can save time by deciding whether your search belongs in the condo side, the apartment side, or both.
Know The Five Towers
7120 Optima Kierland
7120 is a 12-story condominium tower completed in the first phase. Optima describes it as sold out, with a Sky Deck and an exclusive Residents Club that includes a pool, spa, sauna, steam room, basketball, golf simulator, squash, theater, party room, and fitness space.
If you are reviewing resale opportunities here, the draw is often the combination of condo ownership and a broad amenity package. Buyers comparing 7120 with other towers should focus on unit position, view direction, and access within the building.
7140 Optima Kierland
7140 is the second apartment tower and includes 213 rental residences. Optima highlights one- to three-bedroom homes and penthouses, along with about 27,000 square feet of wellness amenities and Arizona’s first rooftop running track.
When you compare 7140 with other rental towers, pay attention to how much the wellness focus matters to your routine. Two similar floor plans can feel very different depending on where they sit in relation to the tower’s active amenity spaces.
7160 Optima Kierland
7160 is the first apartment tower, with 150 rental residences across 10 stories. Its features include a rooftop Sky Deck, a 16,000-square-foot fitness center, a pet park, a business center, and underground parking with EV charging.
This tower may appeal to residents who want strong work-from-home and fitness support inside the building. If that matches your priorities, compare stack location carefully so convenience lines up with your day-to-day habits.
7180 Optima Kierland
7180 is the newest condominium tower on the Optima Kierland side and includes 202 condo units. It sits at the corner of Scottsdale Road and Kierland Boulevard and features a Sky Deck with a heated lap pool, spa, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy, rooftop running track, yoga spaces, and indoor-outdoor entertaining areas.
Because of its corner location, 7180 deserves extra attention when you compare exposure, traffic activity, and terrace orientation. A strong floor plan on paper may feel very different depending on which side of the tower it faces.
7190 Optima Kierland
7190 is the fifth and final tower and includes 216 rental residences across 10 stories. Optima highlights the community’s first outdoor pickleball arena, indoor-outdoor golf center, and an Olympic-length rooftop swimming pool.
This tower is also useful for comparison because current floor plans are grouped by stack code, such as 7190-03, 7190-06, 7190-20, and 7190-24. That makes it easier to compare the same stack on different floors or compare one stack against another within the same building.
Compare The Stack, Not Just The Floor Plan
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is focusing only on bedroom count and square footage. At Optima Kierland, the stack can shape your light, views, privacy, and noise level just as much as the layout itself.
A good example is the publicly highlighted 7190-03 residence, which Optima describes as framing McDowell Mountain views from a private terrace above Kierland Boulevard. That tells you something important: the same tower can offer very different living experiences from one stack to the next.
When you compare homes, ask yourself these questions:
- Does this stack face a road, courtyard, or neighboring tower?
- Is the terrace likely to get stronger afternoon sun?
- Does the stack appear to capture mountain views or more local streetscape views?
- How close is it to elevators, amenity areas, or active common spaces?
Study Orientation And Sunlight
In Scottsdale, orientation matters more than many buyers expect. The Arizona State Climate Office says the southwestern desert typically sees average summer daytime temperatures between 105°F and 115°F.
That is why window direction and terrace exposure should be part of your comparison from the beginning. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that east- and west-facing windows can admit significant summer heat and glare, while north-facing windows usually provide more even light with less unwanted summer heat gain.
For Optima Kierland buyers, that means west-facing and more exposed stacks deserve a closer look, especially if outdoor living is part of the value for you. If you picture using your terrace often, ask how that space may feel in late afternoon during hotter months.
Compare Views And View Corridors
Views are one of the reasons many buyers look at Optima Kierland in the first place. Optima says the buildings were sited to capture mountain views in the background and the Kierland development in the foreground.
Still, not every residence will frame those views in the same way. A higher floor does not always guarantee the best outlook, and a well-placed stack can sometimes outperform a less favorably positioned home on a higher level.
When you compare options, focus on the likely view corridor, not just the tower name. A home may look toward mountains, internal courtyards, nearby streets, or surrounding buildings, and that difference can have a real impact on resale appeal and daily enjoyment.
Think About Noise And Privacy
Noise is another factor that can change the feel of a home quickly. Public planning information for 7190 notes perimeter setbacks of 55 feet on Scottsdale Road, 25 feet on Kierland Boulevard, 25 feet on 71st Street, and 20 feet on the north edge.
That does not create a unit-by-unit noise map, but it does offer a practical clue. Homes along the outer edges of the site are more likely to experience street activity than interior-facing options.
Optima’s neighborhood materials also note the project’s proximity to Scottsdale Airport, Kierland Commons, and Scottsdale Quarter. When comparing stacks, it is wise to think about aircraft activity, retail traffic, and general circulation patterns, especially if you prefer a quieter terrace or more private interior feel.
Weigh Amenity Proximity
At Optima Kierland, amenities are not one-size-fits-all across the campus. Optima states that each tower has its own residents’ club and rooftop wellness experience, which means your building choice can change your routine in meaningful ways.
This is where convenience becomes personal. A residence that is closer to the lobby, elevator bank, parking, or rooftop deck may feel easier to live in every day than a similar home with a less convenient path.
As you compare buildings, think about what you will use most:
- Rooftop pool access
- Running track access
- Fitness spaces
- Golf or pickleball amenities
- Entertaining areas
- Parking convenience
If you plan to use these features often, building placement and stack location should carry real weight in your decision.
Use Public Maps Carefully
Public site plans and community maps are helpful, but they are only a starting point. Optima’s own legal language states that site plans, community maps, photos, and computer-generated renderings are conceptual and should not be relied on to confirm actual condition.
That means the smartest approach is to use public materials to narrow down the right tower and stack first. Then verify the current layout, terrace direction, and sightlines through the latest sales information or an in-person walkthrough.
A Simple Comparison Framework
If you want to compare Optima Kierland buildings efficiently, use this order:
- Choose tower type: condo or apartment.
- Pick the building based on amenities and location.
- Compare stacks for orientation, views, and privacy.
- Review the floor level within the same stack.
- Verify real-world sightlines and terrace direction before making a decision.
This process helps you avoid comparing homes that may look similar online but live very differently in person.
The Bottom Line
At Optima Kierland, the best building for you is rarely just the newest tower or the largest floor plan. It is the combination of tower type, stack position, sun exposure, views, privacy, and amenity access that usually shapes long-term satisfaction.
If you are buying in this community, the goal is to compare beyond the brochure. A thoughtful building-by-building review can help you find the residence that truly fits your lifestyle, not just your checklist.
If you want expert help narrowing the right tower and stack at Optima Kierland, Julie Jarmiolowski offers concierge-level guidance tailored to Scottsdale’s luxury condo market.
FAQs
Which buildings at Optima Kierland are condo towers?
- The condo towers are 7120 and 7180, while 7140, 7160, and 7190 are the apartment towers.
What should you compare first at Optima Kierland?
- Start by comparing tower type, then look at the building’s amenity package, stack location, orientation, and floor level.
Why does stack location matter at Optima Kierland?
- Stack location can affect your views, sunlight, privacy, terrace use, and how much street activity you may notice.
Which factor most changes the living experience at Optima Kierland?
- For many buyers, the biggest factors are exposure, view corridor, and how close the home is to roads or active parts of the site.
Are public maps enough to compare Optima Kierland homes?
- Public maps are useful for shortlisting towers and stacks, but they should be verified with current sales materials or an in-person walkthrough because conceptual plans may not reflect actual conditions.
