Desert Ridge, Phoenix.
Former State Trust land
along Loop 101.
Desert Ridge is a master-planned area of about 5,700 acres in north Phoenix along Loop 101, governed by the Desert Ridge Specific Plan the city adopted in 1990. All of its land was once owned by the Arizona State Land Department, which has auctioned it over time.
Desert Ridge on the map
Boundary from the City of Phoenix registered neighborhood map (Desert Ridge Community Association boundary). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A master plan on state land
Desert Ridge is a master-planned area in north Phoenix governed by the Desert Ridge Specific Plan. A specific plan is a city-adopted document that sets land uses, densities and design rules for one large area. The City of Phoenix states that the plan was adopted in 1990 and covers approximately 5,700 acres (City of Phoenix staff analysis).
The area sits in the Desert View Village, one of the City of Phoenix urban villages. The city describes the village as ranging from an urban core along the Loop 101 freeway, within and adjacent to the Desert Ridge area, to low-density equestrian and rural land farther out (Desert View Village).
Sold off by the State Land Department over time
The Arizona State Land Department owned all of the land in Desert Ridge. State Trust land is land the State of Arizona holds in trust and sells or leases. According to the City of Phoenix, the department has auctioned the Desert Ridge land over time for residential, commercial and commerce park development.
The city has amended the plan several times. The amendments range from clean-ups to larger density shifts and changes in uses. A 1998 amendment added floor area ratio limits for the mix of uses in the core and required a public hearing for buildings taller than four stories. Floor area ratio is total building floor area divided by lot area.
Superblock 5 has been planned since 1990 as the primary core of the Desert View Village. One part of it, Development Parcel 5.A, is bounded by Deer Valley Drive on the north and 56th Street on the east, with the Loop 101 freeway and Tatum Boulevard on its other sides. Desert Ridge Marketplace and High Street are built within that parcel.
Hospital, museum, resort and retail
Several regional landmarks sit inside or along the Desert Ridge plan area. Addresses below are taken from each organization's own site.
- Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd.An open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center operated by Vestar, listing over 100 brands (shopdesertridge.com).
- Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.A museum of musical instruments from around the world, with galleries holding thousands of instruments (mim.org).
- Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd.The hospital building of the Mayo Clinic Phoenix campus, which also includes the Mayo Clinic Specialty Building and the Mayo Clinic Building (Mayo Clinic).
- JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Dr.A resort the hotel describes as over 300 acres of amenities, including the AquaRidge water park (Marriott).
- Wildfire Golf Club, at the JW Marriott.Two 18-hole courses: the Palmer Signature Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Faldo Championship Course, designed by Nick Faldo.
Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard
The Loop 101 freeway runs through the Desert Ridge core. Tatum Boulevard, 56th Street and Deer Valley Drive are named in the city's parcel descriptions, and the museum and hospital both sit on Mayo Boulevard.
Measured from the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 16 miles away in a straight line. Driving distance is longer.
The Desert View Village Planning Committee meets at the Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th Street. The city notes that the village has natural washes that generally flow from northeast to southwest, and trails for biking, walking and riding (City of Phoenix).
Check the plan before you buy
The city describes the area near the Desert View core as offering condominiums and master-planned communities alongside retail and office space. Because Desert Ridge is regulated by a specific plan, the rules for a given parcel can differ from standard Phoenix zoning.
The City of Phoenix posts the Desert Ridge Specific Plan, its development parcel maps and its amendments on the Desert View Village page.
Specific plan
A city document that sets uses, densities and design rules for one large area. Desert Ridge has had one since 1990.
Superblock
A large planning unit inside the specific plan. Superblock 5 is the planned core of the Desert View Village.
State Trust land
Land held in trust by the State of Arizona. The State Land Department auctioned the Desert Ridge land over time.
Desert Ridge, answered
Where is Desert Ridge?
Desert Ridge is in north Phoenix, in the City of Phoenix Desert View Village, along the Loop 101 freeway near Tatum Boulevard.
How big is Desert Ridge?
The City of Phoenix states that the Desert Ridge Specific Plan covers approximately 5,700 acres.
When was Desert Ridge planned?
The City of Phoenix adopted the Desert Ridge Specific Plan in 1990 and has amended it several times since.
Who owned the land in Desert Ridge?
The Arizona State Land Department owned all of it and has auctioned it over time for residential, commercial and commerce park development.
Is Desert Ridge Marketplace in Desert Ridge?
Yes. Desert Ridge Marketplace, at 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., is built within Development Parcel 5.A of the Desert Ridge plan.
What golf courses are in Desert Ridge?
Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott has two 18-hole courses, the Palmer Signature Course and the Faldo Championship Course.
How far is Desert Ridge from Sky Harbor Airport?
About 16 miles in a straight line, measured from the Musical Instrument Museum. Driving distance is longer.
Is Desert Ridge a historic district?
No. Desert Ridge is a master-planned area governed by a specific plan, not a listed historic district.
Looking at Desert Ridge?
Which specific plan parcel a lot sits in, its zoning and its construction year are all in the city and county records. Send me the addresses and I will pull them. Text me at 480-485-4261.
Own a home in Desert Ridge? See what the county has on file and get a real value. Looking? Search homes for sale.
Sources: City of Phoenix, Desert Ridge Specific Plan, Development Parcel 5.A Parcel G staff analysis; City of Phoenix, Desert View Village; Desert Ridge Marketplace; Musical Instrument Museum; Mayo Clinic, Arizona buildings and Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix; JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa; coordinates for the museum and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Wikipedia, used only to compute straight-line distance. All checked 28 October 2026.