The Story Behind Firebird: From Scottsdale Girls Ranch to a One-of-a-Kind Private Resort
We've been working on something pretty incredible in Scottsdale, and as we get closer to opening Firebird, we wanted to share a little more about the property and what makes this project so special to us.
If you've followed Everwild Retreats for a while, you know we love creating unique spaces where families and friends can get together and make memories. But Firebird has a story that goes well beyond the renovation, and it's one we felt was important to share before the big reveal.
Before Firebird, There Was the Scottsdale Girls Ranch
Long before we purchased the property, this home was the Scottsdale Girls Ranch, a residential program associated with Florence Crittenton that supported young women and mothers.
Girls Ranch was founded in 1964, and its mission was to provide a supportive environment where young mothers could continue their education, develop parenting and life skills, and work toward greater independence.
What really resonates with us is thinking about the everyday life that took place here. This wasn't simply a facility or a program. It was a home where young women lived together, raised their babies, built friendships, celebrated milestones, and supported one another through important stages of their lives.
A 2023 Cronkite News feature offered a glimpse into life at Girls Ranch, documenting five teenage mothers and five babies living at the home at that time. The program provided childcare while the mothers attended school or worked, and the property included outdoor areas for gardening, art, campfires, and spending time together.
We love knowing that the property has such a meaningful history of community and connection. Although the experiences of the girls who lived here were very different from those of the guests who will eventually visit Firebird, we think it's important to recognize the lives and memories that were already part of this home.
How We Came to Own the Property
When this property went up for sale, it attracted a lot of attention. There were 18 offers, and from what we understand, ours was the only one that proposed keeping the existing house rather than tearing it down.
It's easy to understand why buyers were interested. The property sits on approximately 1.5 acres just minutes from Old Town Scottsdale, with mature landscaping, plenty of privacy, and an incredible amount of space to work with.
For us, though, the existing home was part of the appeal. We loved the idea of working with what was already there and creating something completely different without demolishing a property that had played such an important role in the community.
We could see how the layout, the outdoor space, and the existing structures could become the foundation for a truly extraordinary guest experience. It was going to take a significant renovation, but that was part of what made the project exciting.
Reimagining the Property as Firebird
Once we purchased the property, we got to work on what has become one of our most ambitious projects yet.
Firebird is being transformed into a seven-bedroom private resort designed for large groups, family gatherings, celebrations, and friends traveling together. It's located just minutes from Old Town Scottsdale, but with its expansive grounds and amenities, we want guests to feel like they've arrived at their own private resort.
Outside, we're creating a resort-style pool and oversized hot tub, pickleball and basketball courts, a wellness courtyard with a sauna and cold plunge, outdoor dining and entertaining areas, and plenty of unexpected places to play and relax.
Inside, we're taking a much bolder design approach than we have with some of our other properties. Think vibrant colors, playful details, dramatic rooms, and entertainment spaces that are just as much a part of the experience as the bedrooms themselves.
The transformation has been extensive, and one of the most exciting parts has been looking at the original property photos alongside the design renderings. Some of the spaces will be almost unrecognizable, but the original home is still at the center of it all.
A Different Chapter, With Something Familiar at Its Heart
One of the things we've thought about throughout this project is how many memories must have been made here over the years.
There were young women building friendships, mothers caring for their babies, shared meals, celebrations, and all the ordinary moments that make a place feel like home. We may not know their individual stories, but we know this property was part of a community that mattered to the people who lived here.
What we're creating with Firebird is obviously very different from the original Girls Ranch. We're turning the property into a luxury vacation destination, and we don't want to suggest that the two purposes are the same.
But we do love that bringing people together will continue to be an important part of the home's future.
Our hope is that Firebird becomes a place where families celebrate birthdays, friends reunite, couples gather for special occasions, and groups create memories they'll talk about for years. We've designed so much of the property around spending time together, whether that's cooking a meal, playing pickleball, relaxing by the pool, or gathering around a fire pit at the end of the night.
In a way, that emphasis on community and connection feels like a fitting way to approach the property's next chapter.
Honoring the History Through Giving Back
As we've learned more about the history of Girls Ranch, we've also been thinking about how we can acknowledge that legacy in a meaningful way.
We're developing a giving-back initiative for Firebird that will support organizations helping women and families find safety, stability, and opportunities for new beginnings.
We want that commitment to become a lasting part of Firebird's story, not simply something we mention during the launch.
As we finalize the details, we'll share more about the organizations we'll be supporting and how guests can be part of that effort.
Getting Ready to Welcome Our First Guests
We're now approaching the final stages of the Firebird transformation, and it's exciting to see so many of the design ideas becoming reality.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more behind-the-scenes footage, before-and-after comparisons, design details, and eventually the finished property photography.
We know Firebird will look completely different from the Girls Ranch that once stood here, but we're proud to be preserving the home itself and sharing a little of its history along the way.
We can't wait to welcome our first guests and see what new memories are made here.
Firebird by Everwild Retreats — A New Chapter Takes Flight.
Coming soon to Scottsdale, Arizona.