Lake Las Vegas sets record growth

     With a number of recreational amenities and lakeside living, Lake Las Vegas Resort ranks as one of the world's premier residential and resort communities, according to Sherri O'Boyle, vice president of marketing. Last year marked one of the most active years to date at the development in Henderson.
      From January 1998 through December 1998, the occupied home rate at the development climbed 171 percent, and the number of homes under construction rose 62 percent.
      "1998 can truly be called the `Year of Vertical Activity' at Lake Las Vegas Resort," O'Boyle said. "While past activity at the development has been infrastructure in nature, 1998 saw a spurt of activity like no other in the history of Lake Las Vegas Resort, with many buildings started and completed."
      Last year, the SouthShore Yacht & Beach Club was completed as was the Reflection Bay golf course clubhouse, with its restaurant to open soon; the Reflection Bay Golf Club, which was inaugurated by Jack Nicklaus in May; the widening of Lake Mead Drive at the resort's entrance; the community reception center; and the expansion of Lake Las Vegas Parkway.
      Last year also saw the third playing of the Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
      Other significant milestones included the buildout of Bella Vivente; the opening of PortaCielo; and the groundbreaking of PortoFino, a neighborhood of 50 Venetian-style waterfront homes.
      "1998 was just a preview of the activity yet to come at Lake Las Vegas Resort," O'Boyle said.
      This year, the development was recognized by Glasgow 1999 UK City of Architecture and Design as one of ten significant new developments which will define contemporary urban life in the 21st century.
      The 2,245-acre development features the 550-acre, guard-gated community of SouthShore, where residents have views of the resort's 320-acre lake, the SouthShore Golf Club and the Las Vegas Valley.
      Terraced into the hillside, custom- and estate-home sites at the Mediterranean-themed community are priced from the $300,000s to $1.75 million.
      PortaCielo is selling the first phase of 72 homes priced from the mid-$400,000s. Three floor plans feature outdoor living areas.
      Located on the northern shore of the lake and encompassing 1,370 acres, the development will feature Southern Nevada's first international lakeside resort hotel destination. Proposed facilities include hotels, European-style gaming, world-class spa facilities, at least three 18-hole championship golf courses, a retail village, restaurants and residential properties.
      The first resort hotel to open will be the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, a 496-room Moroccan-style structure scheduled to open in December.
      Lake Las Vegas Resort is developed by Transcontinental Properties Inc., with entities owned by Sid and Lee Bass of Fort Worth, Texas.
      To visit, take Lake Mead Drive, seven miles east of Boulder Highway, to Lake Las Vegas Parkway. The sales office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.