frank aazami

Written by David M. Brown

Discover the many joys of Southwest desert living at Hidden Canyon in the award-winning Las Sendas community of north Mesa. Should the lower-level flexspace be added, 6,000 square feet of man cave, wet bar, theater, craft room, living room and a lift to drop down your cars from above?

Designed and to be built by Micela Properties, this 9,299-square-foot Modernterranean custom offers exclusivity, gated entry, privacy, luxury finishes and smart home amenities. With the saguaro-rich Tonto National Forest immediately behind it, no one will build between you and the mountains; they are yours to enjoy for as long as you choose. 

Luigi Micela’s year-and-a-half site preparation on the 1.12-acre cul-de-sac parcel has created an expansive footprint and an entertainer’s-style layout, beginning with a private drive ascending to a spacious auto courtyard and a four-car garage which is temperature-controlled, overheight and extended length. A guest quarters with a kitchenette and dedicated entrance is here as well. Passing the courtyard water feature and through the foyer, you experience the remainder of this magnificent residence.

The single-level floor plan also has a secluded master retreat, three additional ensuite bedrooms, six bathrooms, exercise and sitting rooms and a lounge. Throughout, walls of glass provide the indoor/outdoor living experience that makes the Arizona desert so desirable to raise a family, entertain and enjoy retirement. 

When your home is built, you’ll also have unobstructed city lights views as far as downtown Phoenix from the backyard, which features a negative edge pool and spa, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue and a spiral staircase to a rooftop view deck. If you wish, add a 6,203-square-foot high-ceilinged lower level with a stairway and elevator and another vehicle elevator to a four-car man cave, game room, kitchen, wine cellar and an enclosed patio with direct exterior light from the first level and the roof.

“Luigi has already created a drainage system for the lower level, so if you do choose that option, you will not need a sump pump, which sometimes stops people from adding a basement to a home,” says Frank Aazami, RLSIR Brand Ambassador, principal of the Private Client Group at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in Scottsdale. “Everything is in place if you opt to move forward with the additional square footage.”

“The home is designed in a way where the backyard is ultra-private from the both neighbors,” says David Arustamian, associate broker at the Private Client Group. “Additionally the pad is built up higher than both surrounding properties. And, there’s a breeze on the parcel that allows the backyard to be more useable, especially in the summer.”

Aazami adds: “Luigi has built some of the most significant luxury homes in Las Sendas, with the largest square footage and highest level finishes. The attention to quality throughout simply stands out from other builders.”

Micela has completed more than 200 projects in the Phoenix metropolitan area, focusing on homes from 4,000–20,000 square feet priced from $1 million to $15 million, Arustamian adds.

The master suite has a sitting area, two large walk-in closets, and the master bath double sinks, separate toilet rooms a shower and separate tub. The luxury kitchen includes a walk-in butler’s pantry, kitchen island, multiple ovens, built-in microwave, gas cook top and a gas stub for the range, dishwasher and disposal, refrigerator and a reverse osmosis system and soft water loop. Adjacent is a breakfast room and a formal dining area with a water feature in the courtyard.

Included are connections to Salt River Project electricity, Mesa water and sewer, Century Link telephone and internet and Southwest Gas; a gas hookup for the dryer is standard. The dryer and washer are included. The home is pre-wired for surround sound. And, a tankless water heater system will be installed. Additional energy-savings components are dual-pane, low-e windows and multi-zone heating/cooling. Fire sprinklers are also standard. Among the many luxury finishes are marble accents and stone and wood floors.

The lush Sonoran Desert gets cool, even cold, at night. So, the home has two fireplaces, including a two-way between the living room and the patio. A firepit is also included.

“It’s so quiet. You don’t have anyone in their back yard staring at you,” Micela says of the final lot his company owns in Hidden Canyon, the northernmost and most luxurious section of Las Sendas. “I actually designed it for myself, so the home caters to my personal lifestyle. I considered living here.”

Growing up in south Jersey, he learned homebuilding from his dad, who worked in nearby Philadelphia. He has been a Mesa-area resident since 1999, when he studied at, and wrestled for, ASU. “Custom homebuilding can get frustrating, but I love creating stuff and putting ideas together.”

Design/build ensures quality control in all components of the home. “My employees and I are involved in every detail, from layout to design, the finishes, window treatments, even the swimming pool. We are totally hands-on,” he says.

Micela personally oversees all phases required to design and construct his builds, Arustamian explains. “Luigi hand-picked trusted subcontractors, many of which have been working on his team for years on each project. This well-respected team creates your customized woodwork, stone, masonry, landscaping, pool, spas and more with the highest quality of construction.”

Another favorable characteristic of the home is that it flexes with your lifestyle. For instance, to accommodate aging in place, there are no interior steps. And, you control separate parts of the home for air-conditioning and other systems. “If you don’t have the whole family in town, or are empty-nesters, you don’t have to have all of the areas up and running,” he explains. “You can stay in the master’s section and close off the children’s areas or the basement.” 

One of the East Valley’s most sought-after communities, Las Sendas offers a variety of community facilities such as a clubhouse/recreation room, tennis courts, community pool and spa, golf course and workout facility. The fine Mesa Unified School District serves the area, with Las Sendas Elementary, Fremont Junior High, Red Mountain High and Eagleridge Enrichment Program. Private schools are nearby. Sky Harbor International Airport and Gateway Airport are also close.

Aazami: “Location on a national forest, exalted luxury and serenity for you, your family and friends: The Hidden Canyon home offers its new owner the best of the great Southwest lifestyle. Come, find the joys.”

This magnificent custom home, 7646 East Hidden Canyon Street, is offered at $6,995,000 for a remarkable $752 per square foot. The builder plans to move forward with the basement option, at an adjusted price, if a buyer of the one-level home is not immediately available.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour, contact Frank Aazami, 480.266.0240, frank@PCGagents.com, PCGagents.com or text “SIRFAAZAMI” to 87778. A mobile download link for your Android, iPhone or iPad is available: Preview global listings anytime, anywhere, in 18 languages at app.sir.com/sirfrankaazami. Also see PrivateClientGroupAGENTS.com.