An architectural masterpiece designed by award-winning AIA architect Catherine Hayes has been listed by Sandra Gaare of RETSY, Arizona’s fastest-growing luxury real estate firm. Renowned for her commercial and hospitality developments, this is one of Hayes’ few residential designs, making it a unique opportunity for a buyer to own this architecturally significant home, which has been recognized for its environmental sensitivity and innovative use of materials. Perfectly positioned to showcase sweeping views of the iconic Camelback Mountain, this sophisticated contemporary estate is listed for $5,930,000 and represents an intersection of artistic vision and modern desert living.
Located at 6301 N 51st Place in prestigious Paradise Valley, this 5,930-square-foot, four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home sits on nearly an acre of prime desert landscape. What truly separates this residence from other luxury offerings is Hayes’ innovative structural approach – the home literally “floats” over a natural wash, creating a seamless connection with the surrounding environment while maintaining an extraordinary level of privacy.
“Situated in the foothills of Camelback with their washes that become rivulets after it rains, instead of rerouting them, I envisioned architecture to embrace them as an intimate and ever-changing landscape surrounding the outdoor spaces,” said Hayes. ”The living, dining and kitchen spaces also flow off the gallery foyer, while each bedroom opens to their own tranquil lawn area that is an oasis foreground to the mountain views.”
Creating a continuous dialogue between the home and its natural surroundings, perhaps most striking is how Hayes has oriented the entire structure to maximize views of Camelback, Mummy, and Phoenix Mountain ranges from every room. The main living spaces incorporate what Hayes calls “Mondrian windows,” referencing the Dutch painter’s geometric style, which frame mountain vistas like living works of art. Designed with timeless architecture in mind, the home draws inspiration from the Chagall National Museum in Nice, France. It features an art glass door, strategic skylights, and rich imported Brazilian cherry wood floors that complement natural limestone walls flowing from outside to inside.
“What we’re seeing here is architecture as art,” notes RETSY listing agent Sandra Gaare. “Catherine Hayes has created a residence that celebrates desert living through thoughtful design choices that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. The home’s clean lines, warm hues, and natural textures make it the perfect palate to display a new owner’s personal art collection.”
The residence balances contemporary aesthetic expression with practical luxury, and includes the following stand-out spaces:
– A chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances includes a Viking six-burner gas cooktop, Wolf convection oven, and dual dishwashers
– The great room showcases a dramatic domed ceiling above a stone fireplace, with glass doors opening to a covered patio and negative-edge pool that appears to merge with the mountain horizon
– The owner’s suite exemplifies Hayes’ artistic vision with two glass walls that create an immersive connection to the mountains and spa below
– An adjacent yoga studio reinforces the property’s emphasis on mindful desert living
– The home’s unique construction utilizes adobe and stone walls beneath a distinctive domed metal roof.
Recently acknowledged as one of the most influential women in Arizona, Catherine Hayes is a developer, architect and interior designer of resorts, restaurants, retail, and residential for over 30 years in Chicago and Arizona. Her projects are among some of Arizona’s most recognized venues, including Farm & Craft, Buck & Rider, Valley Ho, The Edge Bar at Sanctuary Resort, and Chelsea’s Kitchen, to name a few.
Founded in 2020, RETSY is the fastest-growing high-end brokerage in Arizona’s history, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology with the expertise of the state’s most respected agents. As the exclusive Forbes Global Properties brokerage in Arizona, RETSY delivers unmatched global exposure for premier properties, reaching millions of buyers worldwide. With $1.5 billion in sales in 2024 alone and the highest in-house support staff per agent in Arizona, RETSY provides its agents with the tools and resources to deliver exceptional results for buyers and sellers alike.
