Storyrock is a 462-acre gated, master-planned community in North Scottsdale (ZIP 85255). The plan includes 443 homes and 2.5 miles of frontage on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It sits at Ranch Gate Road and 128th Street, about a mile north of the Tom's Thumb Trailhead. It is one of the last new-construction luxury communities you can buy into this close to the Preserve.
The first thing to understand is that Storyrock is a collection of builder enclaves. Each enclave has its own product and price point, and some have their own gate. Shea Homes, David Weekley Homes, Rosewood Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Toll Brothers have all built here. A $1.8M single-level home on a third of an acre and a $4M+ estate on a full acre share a master HOA and a trail system, and very little else.
The second thing to understand is timing. Toll Brothers bought the final 100 acres in 2023, so the current Toll Brothers phase is the last chance to build new in Storyrock. Once it sells through, resale becomes the only way in. Both points are covered below because they decide which homes are worth your time.
Storyrock sits in northeast Scottsdale near the intersection of Ranch Gate Road and 128th Street. It is east of Troon Mountain and directly across the street from Toll Brothers' Sereno Canyon. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve borders the community on three sides. That land is permanently protected, so the mountain view corridors here will not be built out.
The tradeoff is distance. Storyrock is one of the farthest-east neighborhoods in North Scottsdale, and everything from groceries to golf is a drive. Buyers who want quiet, dark skies, and trail access out the back gate love it here. Buyers who want to walk to dinner should look closer to DC Ranch or Kierland.
Approximate drive times from the Storyrock entrance:
Destination | Approx. Drive |
|---|---|
Tom's Thumb Trailhead | 2 to 3 minutes |
Troon North Golf Club | 10 to 12 minutes |
Pinnacle Peak area dining and grocery | 15 minutes |
Desert Mountain | 15 to 20 minutes |
Scottsdale Airport (private aviation) | 25 minutes |
Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter | 25 to 30 minutes |
Old Town Scottsdale | 35 minutes |
Phoenix Sky Harbor International | 40 to 45 minutes |
This is where your search gets defined. Storyrock was sold to builders in sections, so the builder name tells you more about a home than the street name does.
Shea Homes opened Storyrock and has three enclaves:
Choose Shea if you want a proven builder and a range of sizes at the core of the community.
David Weekley Homes builds homes from 3,544 to 4,517 square feet, starting around $1.7M. They feature modern desert exteriors and 360-degree mountain views, and the newest phase released 39 homesites. Weekley fits buyers who want a semi-custom feel and room for a detached casita.
Rosewood Homes is a Scottsdale-based builder that created Rosewood Canyon (19 homes) and Rosewood Highlands. Homes run roughly 3,650 to 5,100+ square feet on two-thirds to three-quarter acre lots that back to open space. Exteriors include Desert Contemporary, Ranch Hacienda, Spanish, and Spanish Revival, which makes this the most architecturally varied product in Storyrock.
Taylor Morrison built within Storyrock as part of its National Wildlife Federation partnership. The community carries 79 acres of Certified Wildlife Habitat. If native landscape and wildlife corridors matter to you, ask which lots back to those tracts.
Toll Brothers at Storyrock is the final phase: 81 homes on 100 acres, with lots averaging about one acre and some over three acres. It has two collections:
Pricing opened at $1.95M in fall 2025. Current plans list from about $2.0M to $2.8M+ before lot premiums. This is the enclave for car collectors, multi-generational households, and anyone who wants Storyrock on a full acre.
Builder / Enclave | Home Size (sq. ft.) | Lot Size | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
Shea: Prelude | 2,845 to 3,963 | Standard | Entry point, single-level, lock-and-leave |
Shea: The Reserves | 3,776 to 4,779 | Up to ~0.8 acre | Gated, modern, move-in-ready options |
Shea: Signature | Largest Shea plans | Oversized | Extra privacy, second gate |
David Weekley | 3,544 to 4,517 | ~0.3 to 0.6 acre | Casitas, semi-custom feel |
Rosewood Canyon / Highlands | ~3,650 to 5,100+ | 0.66 to 0.75 acre | Architectural variety, open-space backing |
Taylor Morrison | Varies | Varies | Wildlife habitat setting |
Toll Brothers: Canyon | 3,665 to 4,108 | ~1 acre | Last new single-level product |
Toll Brothers: Overlook | 4,121 to 5,000+ | 1 acre+ | Large garages, multi-gen, acreage |
As of fall 2026, Storyrock homes trade from about $1.8M to $4.6M+. That is well below Silverleaf or Desert Mountain on price, and lots are larger than most of 85255.
Single-Level Core Homes | Larger Lots and Estates | Toll Brothers Final Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
Price range | ~$1.8M to $2.3M | ~$2.3M to $4.6M+ | ~$2.0M to $2.8M+ base, plus lot premiums |
Price per sq. ft. | ~$500 to $575 | ~$600 to $930 | ~$500 to $560 base |
Lot size | ~0.3 to 0.6 acre | ~0.6 to 0.8+ acre | ~1 to 3+ acres |
Home size | ~3,200 to 4,200 sq. ft. | ~4,000 to 5,100+ sq. ft. | 3,665 to 5,000+ sq. ft. |
Inventory | Mostly resale, some builder spec | Builder spec and resale | To-be-built and spec |
Two things move price more than square footage:
Price ranges are based on active and recent MLS listings and builder pricing as of October 2026. They are a starting point, not an appraisal.
Build New (Toll Brothers Phase) | Buy Resale or Builder Spec | |
|---|---|---|
Timeline | 12 to 18+ months to move in | 30 to 60 days to close |
Control | Choose plan, lot, casita, finishes | What you see, plus remodel |
Landscaping and pool | Usually extra, often $150K+ | Often already done |
Price certainty | Base price plus lot premium plus design studio | One negotiated number |
Warranty | Full builder warranty | Remaining warranty may transfer |
My honest read: build new if you need a full acre, a large garage, or a multi-gen layout that does not exist in resale inventory. Otherwise, a two- to four-year-old resale often wins. The original owner already paid for the pool, landscaping, window coverings, and builder upgrades, and sellers rarely recover those costs dollar for dollar.
One thing to flag on new builds: the builder writes the contract, and the on-site sales team represents the seller. Have your own agent review the lot premium, design studio pricing, and completion terms before you sign.
Storyrock is a modern community. Most homes are single-level Desert Contemporary, with low flat rooflines, stone and stucco, and black-framed windows. Rolling or cornerless walls of glass, often 16 to 20 feet wide, open the great room to the patio.
Buyers who want warmer, more traditional lines will find Desert Adobe, Ranch Hacienda, and Spanish Revival exteriors in the Shea Reserves and Rosewood enclaves. Inside, builder spec homes commonly include Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, quartz or quartzite counters, back prep kitchens, and infrared patio heaters.
The master plan holds significant hillsides, washes, and boulder areas in Natural Area Open Space. The City of Scottsdale requires that land to stay in its natural state, which is why so many lots back directly to undisturbed desert.
Storyrock HOA dues are modest for North Scottsdale. Based on current MLS listings, the master association runs about $549 to $594 per quarter and is managed by CCMC. Dues cover common-area grounds maintenance and private street maintenance.
Gated enclaves inside Storyrock can carry a second sub-association fee for their gates and private streets. Confirm the exact combined amount and billing frequency for the specific home before you write an offer.
Layer | Entity | Covers | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Master | Storyrock Community Association (CCMC) | Common grounds, private streets, open space | ~$549 to $594 per quarter |
Enclave (where applicable) | Builder sub-HOA | Enclave gate, interior streets, shared landscaping | Varies; request the resale disclosure |
At closing, expect a one-time capital contribution and transfer fee to the association. Storyrock has no golf club or club membership, so there are no initiation fees or monthly club dues to model. That is one of the biggest cost differences between Storyrock and the club communities a few miles west.
On rentals: lease minimums and short-term rental rules live in the CC&Rs. If you plan to rent the home, have the CC&Rs reviewed before you commit.
Trail access is the main reason buyers choose Storyrock. The community borders the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which covers 30,000+ acres of protected desert with 150+ miles of multi-use trails. Community trails connect residents into that network.
Tom's Thumb Trailhead at 23015 N. 128th Street is less than a mile south of Storyrock.
Trail | Difficulty | Profile |
|---|---|---|
Tom's Thumb Trail | Strenuous | About 4 miles round trip, ~1,200 ft gain on loose gravel to the granite Thumb |
The Lookout | Strenuous | About 5.1 miles round trip from the same trailhead, with big Valley views |
Marcus Landslide Trail | Easy | Interpretive loop past giant boulders from Arizona's 2nd largest landslide |
Tom's Thumb to Gateway | Strenuous | 8.5-mile shuttle hike across the range to the DC Ranch side |
Tom's Thumb and Gardener's Wall are classic Valley rock climbs. McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a short drive east, with campgrounds, mountain bike loops, and equestrian trails.
One practical note: weekend parking at Tom's Thumb fills early in peak season. Storyrock residents can walk or ride to the trailhead while visitors circle the lot.
Storyrock has no golf course or clubhouse of its own, by design, so residents pick their own club:
For everyday errands, the Pinnacle Peak and Pima Road corridor is about 15 minutes out, with grocery stores, coffee, and restaurants around the Shops at Pinnacle Peak. Resort dining at Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North is also close.
For bigger shopping, Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter are 25 to 30 minutes southwest. Downtown Cave Creek, with its Western saloons and patios, is about 25 minutes northwest.
If daily convenience ranks high on your list, factor in the drives before you tour. Storyrock suits people who like living past the edge of town.
Storyrock is in the Cave Creek Unified School District, even though homes carry a Scottsdale address. This surprises a lot of relocating families, so it is worth knowing up front.
School | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Horseshoe Trails Elementary or Desert Sun Academy | K to 6 | Assignment varies by address; Horseshoe Trails is the district's top-ranked elementary |
Sonoran Trails Middle School | 7 to 8 | The district's only middle school |
Cactus Shadows High School | 9 to 12 | Highly rated, with strong athletics and fine arts |
The assigned schools sit roughly 10 miles away, so plan on a drive or bus ride. Other options:
Boundaries shift, so verify the current school assignment for the specific address with Cave Creek Unified before you write an offer.
Where is Storyrock in Scottsdale? Storyrock is in northeast Scottsdale, ZIP 85255, near Ranch Gate Road and 128th Street. It borders the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on three sides and sits about a mile north of the Tom's Thumb Trailhead.
How big is Storyrock? The master plan covers 462 acres with 443 homes, plus 2.5 miles of frontage on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Is Storyrock a gated community? Yes. Storyrock is gated, and several enclaves inside it, including Shea's Reserves and Signature neighborhoods, have their own additional gated entries.
Who builds homes in Storyrock? Shea Homes, David Weekley Homes, Rosewood Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Toll Brothers. Toll Brothers is building the final phase.
How much do homes in Storyrock cost? As of fall 2026, homes generally range from about $1.8M to $4.6M+, depending on builder, lot size, views, and whether the home has a casita.
What are the HOA fees in Storyrock? The master HOA runs about $549 to $594 per quarter. Some gated enclaves add a sub-association fee, so confirm the combined figure for each home.
Does Storyrock have a golf course or clubhouse? No. Storyrock has no golf course and no club membership requirement. Troon North Golf Club is about 10 to 12 minutes away.
What school district is Storyrock in? Cave Creek Unified School District. Students attend Horseshoe Trails Elementary or Desert Sun Academy, then Sonoran Trails Middle School and Cactus Shadows High School.
Can you still buy new construction in Storyrock? Yes, through the Toll Brothers final phase, with one-acre homesites. Once that phase sells out, resale will be the only option.
Storyrock or Sereno Canyon? The two communities sit across the street from each other and share the same trail access. Storyrock offers more builder variety and a wider price range. Sereno Canyon is a single staff-gated Toll Brothers community. Most buyers decide after touring both in one afternoon.
In Storyrock, the details decide the outcome:
Those answers are hard to get from listing photos or a builder's sales office.
I'm a Phoenix native who works the 85255 corridor closely, including Storyrock, Troon North, DC Ranch, and Silverleaf. Many buyers weighing Storyrock are also weighing something very different, and I can help you compare them side by side before you spend weekends touring.
Bryce Hull Realty: Scottsdale Real Estate, Homes & Relocation
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