The Ridges recognized for landscape

The Ridges, a village of luxury homes under development in the Summerlin master-planned community, was recently selected as the winner of the Southern Nevada Water Authority's 2003 Landscape Awards in the multifamily design/professional landscape category.

Dick Glanville, principal of San Francisco-based Glanville & Associates and longtime Summerlin landscape architect, accepted the award for the design of the entry and common areas within the community's westernmost village.

A panel of horticulture and landscaping experts selected winners for 12 categories from more than 150 entries.

"From Summerlin's inception more than a decade ago, The Howard Hughes Corp. made a conscious decision to use drought-tolerant plants and minimize turf wherever possible," Glanville said. "Today, desert landscaping is the standard for just about any new development in Southern Nevada."

The landscape reflects a high level of sophistication, more typical of Scottsdale or Tucson, Ariz., he said.

"Plus, The Ridges is a landscape architect's dream. The slopes, hills and valleys of The Ridges create natural interest. Wherever possible, we incorporated the existing terrain such as rock outcroppings and boulders into our design," Glanville said.

Hughes Corp. has strengthened its commitment to creating low water-use landscapes with strong aesthetic appeal, according to Larry Brocato, executive vice president of The Howard Hughes Corp.

"The Ridges, our most exclusive, high-end village to date, represents the evolution of Summerlin landscaping. We are particularly proud of The Ridges' beautiful, yet smart and water-efficient landscape," Brocato said.

Custom-home sites in The Ridges are available from the high $500,000s to more than $1 million. Predesigned custom homes start at close to $2.1 million.

To visit Summerlin's custom-lot sales center, travel west on Desert Inn Road until it ends in The Ridges and turn left. The building is on the right.

The center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

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