“Everything is here for us,” said Annie Helms, a retired empty-nester, who moved to Skyline Lofts from Surprise, Ariz. – a west Valley suburb – with her husband in January 2014.
She says she’s happier than she’s ever been.
With 10-foot exposed concrete ceilings and walls, sleek modern finishes and a gorgeous pool and hot tub area, there’s a lot to love about Skyline Lofts, nestled at the corner of Fillmore and Fourth streets, just north of Arizona Center.
While she loves the apartment, pool area, and on-site amenities – for Annie Helms, it’s about having the freedom to do as she pleases, now that she’s retired and her children are grown.
Whether it’s walking to Arizona Center for some shopping, going for a bike ride around the Roosevelt Row Arts District or catching dinner and a show at Herberger Theater – she’s fully embraced the urban lifestyle.

“I loved being out in Surprise but I didn’t have anything out there for me,” she said. “Being able to make new friends, getting my business started and just being able to go anywhere I want in five minutes, it’s just been such a blessing.”

Most days, you can find Annie walking one of her many dogs around Downtown or Roosevelt Row. She runs Annie’s Pet Sitting, a Skyline Lofts dog-walking and daycare service and said it’s a great way to stay busy while her husband Michael Helms, a business attorney, continues to run his Downtown law practice full-time.
Minus the 3-hour daily commute from Surprise to Phoenix, the Helms spend more time together doing things they enjoy.
“My husband and I have both asked ourselves why we didn’t do this a long time ago,” she said. “We’re both so happy.”