A highly anticipated neighborhood retail center planned for the northeast corner of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway in the Town of Carefree has reached a major milestone, receiving unanimous approval from the Carefree Development Review Board at their June meeting. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the project’s progression toward becoming a vibrant, high-quality commercial destination serving the Desert Foothills, north Scottsdale and north Phoenix areas.

Originally rezoned in 2018 to accommodate a thoughtfully planned neighborhood commercial center, the development is set to include approximately 120,000 square feet of curated retail, dining, and service-oriented businesses. The center will offer a well-balanced mix of high-quality tenants, along with an intimate community walking trail along the
northeast side of the property — adjacent to Black Mountain — for residents and their four-legged friends to enjoy.

In fall 2024, the Carefree Town Council approved a forward-thinking retail sales tax development agreement incentivizing the developers to attract premier retailers and maximize the center’s contribution to sales tax. With nearly two-thirds of Carefree’s annual revenue generated through sales tax, the success of this retail hub is vital to the Town’s long-term vitality and fiscal health.

Mayor John Crane emphasizes the Town’s dedication to responsible development, stating, “Promises made to the community and nearby neighbors during the rezoning process were kept with the recent site plan approval. This project reflects what we envisioned — a high-quality, thoughtfully designed center that integrates seamlessly with Carefree’s character.”

The approved architectural design embraces a modern desert aesthetic, characterized by a desert-inspired color palette, clean lines, dynamic building forms with varied storefront heights and rooflines inspired by the surrounding landscape. Materials such as standing seam metal awnings, Corten (weathered) steel accents, cement plank siding, and
steel canopies — blending contemporary style with the distinctive character of the Sonoran Desert. The layout encourages walkability and community gathering through multiple, strategically placed seating areas, an environment that is both inviting and functional but also optimized for tenant success.

Bringing the project to life are two prominent development firms — Empire Group and Diversified Partners — recognized for their exceptional commercial projects across Arizona.

“We’re grateful to the Mayor and the entire Carefree Development Review Board for approving the site plan and moving this important development forward,” said Richard Felker, founder of The Empire Group of Companies. “We look forward to successfully bringing this project to fruition and delivering a new, quality commercial destination to the Town of Carefree.”

Scott Hintze of Diversified Partners expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We look forward to bringing this high-quality neighborhood retail center to the Carefree and Cave Creek communities. We’re currently in discussions with several outstanding retail tenants — stay tuned for exciting announcements in the near future.”

The project is poised to elevate the local shopping and dining experience, offering residents and visitors an inviting space to connect, shop, and enjoy the distinct charm of Arizona’s desert foothills.