Glendale city officials have officially approved plans for Nirvana Homes to redevelop a long-vacant 7.5-acre property near Desert Diamond into a 400-unit senior living community called the Capistrano. The development, situated at 91st Avenue and Zanjero Boulevard, will feature a comprehensive mix of memory care, assisted living, and active adult housing options. The site’s original structure has stood empty and unfinished since 2008 following the bankruptcy of the previous developer during the housing crash.
- A Half-Finished Building Waiting Two Decades
- Weighing Development, Partnerships, and Community Concerns
- Project Timeline and Regional Growth
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Capistrano Project
- What is the Capistrano project in Glendale?
- Why has the site been vacant for so long?
- Who is developing the site?
- What types of housing will the community offer?
- When is construction expected to start?
Nirvana Homes purchased the property in 2021 for $10 million and has spent between $4 million and $5 million navigating municipal approvals over the past five years. Shaun Kanaka, principal at Nirvana Homes, noted that the location offers exceptional proximity to major medical facilities such as Banner Health Hospital and Honor Health, alongside entertainment hubs like the Westgate Entertainment District and the upcoming VAI Resort.
A Half-Finished Building Waiting Two Decades
Construction on the original building began prior to the 2008 economic collapse, but work froze entirely before the structure ever opened to the public. For nearly twenty years, the property remained underutilized. Under the newly approved plans, the existing three-story building will be finished and repurposed to house assisted living and memory care units, while new structures built around the parcel’s perimeter will accommodate age-restricted, active-adult housing.
“For almost 20 years, the property has been underutilized with proposed developments never materializing and the existing building has been unused since it was constructed in 2008,” the development team stated in submittals to the city.
Kanaka emphasized that the original skeleton of the building is exceptionally well-suited for senior care facilities. He also pointed out that the immediate West Valley area lacks sufficient supply to meet the rising demand for 400 dedicated senior housing units.
Weighing Development, Partnerships, and Community Concerns
Following municipal approval, Nirvana Homes is evaluating three distinct paths forward: developing the project independently, partnering with an established senior-housing operator, or selling the property outright to another firm. Several seasoned senior housing operators have already expressed strong interest in collaborating on the Capistrano project.
While city leaders and developers praise the project for breathing new life into a prominent eyesore, some local residents and seniors have raised affordability concerns. Because the development is planned as a market-rate community rather than subsidized affordable housing, local seniors on fixed incomes worry about accessibility amid rising living costs in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Project Timeline and Regional Growth
Nirvana Homes expects to secure municipal permits within the next six months. Construction on the adaptive reuse of the existing structure and the surrounding perimeter buildings is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2027, with the community potentially ready to welcome its first residents within two to three years of breaking ground.
The Capistrano project joins a wave of senior-focused real estate developments across the Valley, reflecting intense regional demand for age-restricted housing. Nirvana Homes is concurrently managing other regional projects, including a townhome development near Chandler Fashion Center and land rezoning for apartments in Buckeye.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Capistrano Project
What is the Capistrano project in Glendale?
The Capistrano is a newly approved 400-unit senior living community planned for a 7.5-acre property at 91st Avenue and Zanjero Boulevard in Glendale, Arizona.
Why has the site been vacant for so long?
Construction on the original building began before the 2008 housing crash, but the project stalled and the developer went bankrupt, leaving the structure unfinished and empty for nearly two decades.
Who is developing the site?
Nirvana Homes, led by principal Shaun Kanaka, purchased the property in 2021 for $10 million and secured municipal approval to revive and expand the site.
What types of housing will the community offer?
The development will feature a mix of assisted living, memory care units housed within the existing structure, and active adult housing in newly constructed perimeter buildings.
When is construction expected to start?
The developer anticipates having permits finalized within six months, with construction on the conversion and new buildings projected to begin in the first half of 2027.
