A stretch of land near 64th Street and Oak Street in Scottsdale is trading dust for design. Avala, a new luxury single-family rental community from MODUS Companies, has officially broken ground, bringing 94 single-level homes to renters who want the feel of a private house without the mortgage or maintenance.
The plan reads like a wish list for high-end tenants: one- and two-bedroom layouts, private backyards and a restored Frank Lloyd Wright building that will be reborn as a resident hub. Construction is expected to wrap in fall 2027, with leasing slated to kick off in spring 2027.
As reported by KTAR, MODUS Companies says Avala is the first single-family rental community in Scottsdale to earn the net-zero energy ready designation. The developer is marketing the 94-home project as a "rent-by-choice" option, with modern finishes and private outdoor space as core selling points. That positioning comes from a company press release shared with local media.
The U.S. Department of Energy describes Zero Energy Ready Homes as high-performance dwellings that can cut a home's energy use roughly in half and set it up for future renewable offsets. MODUS and industry coverage say those efficiency measures, paired with solar, can reduce residents' monthly utility bills by an estimated 50 to 70 percent. Construction In Focus has highlighted MODUS's track record on net-zero construction and its growing build-to-rent pipeline across the Phoenix area.
Homes and amenities
At Avala, every home is planned as a single-level one- or two-bedroom layout with 10-foot ceilings, kitchen islands, walk-in closets, smart-home features and private backyards that run roughly 15 to 22 feet deep. The community's amenity package is designed to feel more boutique resort than basic rental.
On the shared side, plans call for a fitness center, pool and spa, private workspaces, a pilates studio and a second-story lounge that will overlook Camelback Mountain and the Papago Buttes. The restored Frank Lloyd Wright building on site is set to anchor the development as a resident hub, outfitted with zoom rooms, podcast studios and private offices. MODUS expects construction to finish in fall 2027, with leasing beginning in spring 2027, according to KTAR.
MODUS Companies president Ed Gorman said the project is "designed for people who choose to rent," emphasizing modern design and lower operating costs as central to the pitch. In the company press release, Gorman framed Avala as an option for renters-by-choice and families who want low-maintenance living without giving up a private yard. He also said MODUS delivers Net-Zero-ready homes at costs comparable to conventional builds, with long-term savings flowing to residents through lower utility bills.
The broader market context helps explain why Avala is landing now. Build-to-rent continues to expand across metro Phoenix, with operators rolling out detached rental neighborhoods that bundle private yards with community amenities. A recent industry release from a national build-to-rent operator points to continued growth in the Phoenix market and steady investor appetite for single-family rental product, according to PR Newswire. For Scottsdale, Avala represents a smaller scale, amenity-heavy entry that leans hard on sustainability as a differentiator.
MODUS says it plans to release detailed leasing information as the community approaches lease-up next year. In the meantime, the restored Wright building is positioned as both architectural centerpiece and programming hub for future residents. With its mix of energy-focused construction, private yards and work-from-home friendly spaces, Avala is aiming squarely at renters who want single-family comfort without the ownership headaches.
