By Madeline Bates
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For years, drivers on Loop 202 have seen the towers on the southeast side of Tempe Town Lake; now, they can be home with even more than just a unit included in the rent.

Shorehaven is a three-tower luxury apartment development that has more than 700 total units available, at 1306 Vista Del Lago Drive, ranging from studio to three-bedroom floor plans and contributing further to the luxury apartment concepts in Tempe.

Shorehaven residents will have access to a state-of-the-art gym, pool, hot tub, conference spaces, valet parking and outdoor cooking areas included in rent. Staff also said there are plans for community events like pool parties and dinners to create a community within the complex.

"At Shorehaven, we wanted to create more than just a place to live. We wanted to create a true lifestyle experience of wellness, connection, and elevated living on the water,” said Emily Mueller, community manager at Shorehaven.

Others see this as a selling point as some companies have moved to a work-from-home model and employees are spending their days at home instead of in the office.

“These amenities help attract tenants because why would I pay $1,500 at an apartment when next door is $1,400?  The amenities have to be worth that extra $100 a month,” said Arizona State University professor and director of the Division of Real Estate Kimberly Winson-Geideman.

Shorehaven is operated by RPM Living, with headquarters in Austin, Texas, but has one of its two corporate offices in Phoenix.  

Winson-Geideman said Phoenix is one of the most competitive rental markets in the nation. To combat this, more luxury units are offering amenities to compete with one another. 

According to Zillow, the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Tempe is around $1300. This is less than the data in Tucson, home of the University of Arizona, with one bedrooms starting around $1500.

Winson-Geideman says that the supply for apartments that are more expensive is often outpacing the demand, leading to more offers for months of free rent or tenant concessions. 

Resident spaces at Shorehaven like a multi-zone fitness pavilion and resort-styled pools as well as experiences like chef-curated dinners, wine tastings, and hibachi nights, are all included in rent. Mueller says this is a catalyst for building community and is unique to the area.

“These offerings were intentionally designed to help residents build meaningful connections with their neighbors while enjoying a vibrant, service-driven community unlike anything else in the market,” Mueller said.

A development firm called LV Collective out of Austin and the developer behind Moontower in downtown Phoenix, has a new project in Tempe, but this time with luxury amenities that aim to go above and beyond.

Rambler, the new apartments at 1020 Apache Road, is not unlike other facilities. Many units have 4 bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms and a shared living space.

Residents can also call for a car on demand, ending the need to pay for a ride-hailing service. Residents also have access to a sauna and cold plunges, tanning beds and other wellness amenities, including a coffee shop on the first floor.

“When amenities are thoughtfully designed around real student needs, they become more than features—they help create a community where residents feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and academically,” said a spokesperson for LV Collective.

The development also has “guest suites,” which residents can reserve for a fee for friends or family visiting, to allow for a convenient place to stay in downtown Tempe and steps from ASU.

“We designed Rambler around the realities of student life today—a home that supports the full rhythm of the day, from studying and wellness to social connection and hosting friends and family,” a spokesperson said. “It is about creating an environment that supports how residents live, learn, connect, and care for themselves.”

Both Shorehaven and Rambler are both leasing with options at Rambler starting around $1,200 and Shorehaven starting around $1,600.

To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix

mbates@iniusa.org

Meet Madeline

Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).  

Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.

Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.

Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.

Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.