Variety key at Seven Hills

Home buyers at Seven Hills are as varied as the community's topography, according to Dan Naef, vice president of community construction.

"From active singles and couples to the largest of families, buyers are attracted by the elevated and terraced topography, the unique landscape design, and the abundance of open space and recreational amenities. It is a place where people can truly take pride in both their home and their community," Naef said.

Among the newest residents at the community in Henderson is Donald Fraser, a former college instructor from San Jose, Calif. Fraser, who taught English literature, has an interest in theater and has performed in more than 30 stage productions.

"I had lived in my former home in San Jose for more than 30 years, and I had two criteria in terms of what I wanted in a home in the Las Vegas area," Fraser said. "I wanted a view of some kind, preferably the Las Vegas Strip, and I wanted an attractive floor plan that would work well for me."

He found the ideal home and view at Crescendo, a gated neighborhood by Pardee Homes.

"While I was still living in California, my relatives ... suggested that I have a look at this community, specifically the Crescendo neighborhood, where there were view lots available," Fraser said. "I came down, looked at the Vivaldi model and knew I had found my future home. The Vivaldi design worked especially well on this home site, giving me spectacular vistas from nearly every window in my home and from the back yard as well. I never imagined that I would one day live in a home like this."

The Vivaldi is a two-story design that measures 2,883 square feet. It can be built with two downstairs bedrooms, or a guest room or den, plus three upstairs bedrooms and a split three-car garage.

Crescendo's homes range from 2,711 to 3,068 square feet and are priced from the low $200,000s.

Rob and Erica Phillips are relocating to Seven Hills from Laguna Beach, Calif. They were seeking the right home and community in which they could move with their 11-year-old son, Adrian.

"Over a period of several months, we toured numerous neighborhoods and communities throughout the Las Vegas Valley," Erica Phillips said. "Coming from Laguna Beach, we were accustomed to beautiful surroundings and we hoped to find a similar level of beauty here.

"When we first drove into Seven Hills, we were very impressed by the outdoor atmosphere (and) fell in love with it immediately. The homes, greenery, parks, trails and open spaces reminded us of some of the fine communities we were familiar with in Southern California."

The family was drawn to the Residence 163 floor plan at Villa Villagio, a gated neighborhood being developed by Astoria Homes. The two-story home measures 3,068 square feet and has four bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, as well as a bonus room and loft.

"(The home) was just right for us," Phillips said. "It has a very open design and it offers the space we need as a family. We were pleased with the large number of features that were included in the base price and happy to be able to get a home site that has lots of room for a pool and outdoor entertaining."

The family expects to move into their new home in April.

Homes at Villa Villagio measure from 2,584 to 3,932 square feet and are priced from the mid-$200,000s.

A development of Silver Canyon Partnership, Seven Hills is located in the foothills of Black Mountain. It will eventually comprise more than 3,000 homes, including about 300 custom homes, in 25 neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks are open as are four city parks, which among them offer basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelters, soccer fields, volleyball quads, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds. In addition, the community has an abundance of landscaped open space areas and miles of trails and walkways.

Additional neighborhoods open for sales are: Renaissance by Pardee Homes, Naples by Kimball Hill Homes, Palazzo Monte by U.S. Home, Meridiana by Trident Homes, and Encore at Palatine Hill by Richmond American Homes. Custom-home sites are available in the neighborhoods of Venezia and Terracina by Silver Canyon Partnership, and Corcovado and Portofino Custom Homesites by Nevastar Investment Corp.

Dozens of model homes are open, and offer 45 floor plans. Homes are priced from the $140,000s to about $350,000, and custom lots range from the $200,000s to more than $1 million.

The sales and information pavilion is located on Seven Hills Drive, which can be reached by taking Eastern Avenue to St. Rose Parkway and going west about a half mile.

Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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