Not every multigenerational home is designed alike. Compare Lennar Next Gen®, Shea Homes’ Walton, and Taylor Morrison’s Teen Suite to discover which design best fits your family’s lifestyle.
Part 2 of the AZ MultiGen Homes Builder Guide Series. When many people hear the words multigenerational home, they picture one specific type of house—a private suite with its own entrance where grandparents or adult children can live independently.
While that certainly describes some homes, it’s far from the only approach.
As I’ve been researching Arizona builders for my new Builder Guide Series, one thing has become very clear: there is no single blueprint for multigenerational living. Every builder seems to have a different philosophy about how families should share a home.
That’s good news for buyers.
It means your family’s lifestyle—not just the builder’s marketing—should determine which home is the best fit.
Let’s take a look at three very different approaches currently available in the Phoenix area.
The Independent Living Approach
Lennar Next Gen®
Lennar has become the name most people recognize when discussing multigenerational living, and for good reason.
During my research, I found that Lennar currently offers nine different Next Gen® floor plans throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Their concept focuses on creating what they call a “home within a home.”
Depending on the floor plan, the private suite may include:
- Separate entrance
- Private living room
- Kitchenette
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Laundry area (select plans)
The goal is independence while remaining connected to the main household.
For families caring for aging parents or helping an adult child become financially independent, this can be an excellent solution.
The Luxury Independence Approach
Shea Homes – The Walton
Shea Homes has taken a very different approach.
Rather than offering numerous multigenerational floor plans, they have created one thoughtfully designed luxury option called The Walton.
What immediately caught my attention was how completely private the secondary living area feels.
Depending on the options selected, the suite may include:
- Separate entrance
- Full kitchen
- Separate garage
- Private patio or an additional bedroom
- Significant separation from the main home
Unlike many secondary suites, this space feels less like an addition and more like an independent residence connected to the home.
With pricing beginning above $1 million, The Walton is clearly designed for buyers seeking a luxury multigenerational lifestyle.
For families planning a long-term living arrangement for aging parents—or simply wanting exceptional privacy for extended family—it offers an impressive alternative.
The Connected Family Approach
Taylor Morrison Teen Suite
Taylor Morrison takes yet another perspective.
Instead of creating an independent apartment, several of their floor plans include a feature known as a Teen Suite.
This design groups secondary bedrooms around a shared living area.
Each bedroom includes its own ensuite bathroom, creating privacy while keeping everyone within the same part of the home.
Unlike Lennar or Shea Homes, these homes generally do not include:
- Separate entrance
- Separate kitchen
- Separate garage
Instead, they emphasize shared family living while giving teenagers, college students, or long-term guests a comfortable space of their own.
Homes featuring these floor plans generally fall in the upper $800,000s to upper $900,000s, depending on the community and selected options.
Which Design Is Right for Your Family?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through this research is that the answer depends entirely on how your family lives.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Will parents want complete independence?
- Is this arrangement temporary or long-term?
- Will adult children be contributing financially?
- Would a shared kitchen strengthen family relationships—or create unnecessary stress?
- Is privacy your highest priority?
The answers will often point toward one design philosophy more naturally than another.
There Isn’t a “Best” Builder
As buyers, it’s easy to ask:
“Which builder has the best multigenerational home?”
After researching Arizona’s options, I think a better question is:
“Which builder designed a home that best fits my family’s lifestyle?”
Lennar offers incredible variety and flexibility.
Shea Homes delivers a luxury solution with exceptional independence.
Taylor Morrison emphasizes connection while still respecting personal space.
None of those approaches is automatically better.
They’re simply designed for different families.
Looking Beyond the Floor Plan
A great multigenerational home is about more than square footage.
It’s about supporting relationships.
Whether you’re welcoming aging parents, helping adult children establish financial stability, or simply creating a home where generations can remain close, the right design should make everyday life easier—not more complicated.
As I continue my Builder Guide Series, I’ll be exploring additional Arizona builders, comparing floor plans, and helping families understand the strengths of each approach.
Because in the end, choosing the right home isn’t about finding the most popular builder.
It’s about finding the home that fits your family’s story.
To help guide you through all the decisions that choosing the right Multigenerational Home can bring, I would encourage you to read some other articles I’ve written. These all have different focuses and will offer insight and guidance.
Designing & Building Your Multigenerational Home
Lennar Next Gen® Homes: A Buyer’s Guide for Arizona Families
What to Look for in a Multigenerational Floor Plan
Designing a Home That Brings Family Together—Without Sacrificing Privacy
Search Multigenerational Homes in Phoenix Metro
Thinking About Multigenerational Living in Arizona?
Whether you’re considering new construction, comparing builders, or searching for an existing multigenerational home, I’d love to help you navigate your options.
As an Arizona REALTOR® specializing in multigenerational living, my goal is to help families find homes that support connection, independence, and long-term flexibility.
Kristin Geesey, REALTOR®, CLHMS®, SRES®, GRI
Serving the Phoenix Metro Area
📞 719-573-9657
🌐 AZMultiGenHomes.com
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