Focus provides service to builders

Mountain's Edge, a master-planned community under development in the southwestern valley, is a prime example of the work done by Focus Property Group. Established in 1990 by John Ritter, the company studies real estate development patterns, assembles land and develops communities.

"We are an intensively research-based company," Ritter said, noting that Focus provides a "service" for home builders. "Most builders don't have departments that (assemble land and develop master plans) and don't want to. Their business is to build and sell homes."

Ritter said it can take from three to five years to study and acquire the land upon which to build a master-planned community, including obtaining entitlements, proper zoning and preliminary infrastructure. Some land is purchased directly from private parties, while other parcels may be bought from the Bureau of Land Management through its auction process, such as 992 acres that are part of Mountain's Edge and a 485-acre piece that is part of Cliff's Edge, a Focus development in the northwestern valley.

Its past residential projects have included Lone Mountain and Lone Mountain West, sold as Shadow Hills and Monument, in the northwestern valley; and Compass Point, now known as Nevada Trails, in the southwestern valley. Focus also built a 176-unit apartment complex that was purchased by a timeshare firm.

Commercial projects have included Centennial Crossroads Plaza in the northwestern valley, as well as developing centers near Interstate 215 and Cheyenne Avenue, and at Interstate 215 and Decatur Boulevard. Focus plans to develop a casino in the area of Interstate 15 at Interstate 215 in North Las Vegas.

Ritter has been in real estate development for more than two decades, first in Phoenix as a broker buying and restoring houses, then for 16 years in Southern Nevada. His company handles all aspects of the development process including land acquisition, entitlement and development, zoning, engineering, financing, marketing and commercial construction.

Focus has been involved in transactions exceeding $1.5 billion and holds property valued at close to $700 million in its portfolio.

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