Ridges named to `most expensive' list

The Ridges at Summerlin, a village of custom and luxury homes along the valley's western rim, was named one of the top 10 most expensive gated communities in America by Forbes. The list was based on the price of homes and raw lots for sale.

Home sites in the village are priced from the $500,000s to several million dollars, depending on location and size. Predesigned custom homes are priced from $2.1 million, although there are none currently available; the most recent sold for $3 million.

The Ridges ranked behind Birnman Wood in Montecito, Calif., and Field Pointe Circle in Greenwich, Conn.

According to Forbes, gated communities are popular for financial, recreational and security reasons.

"When you live in a small community of like-minded people who have similar lifestyle needs, you may be better able to protect the value of your home over the long term," Forbes stated in a November 2003 report. "The chances, for example, of a new freeway entrance being constructed in the middle of the community, and thereby diminishing the value of your home, are negligible -- as are the chances that your neighbors will put a radio tower in their back yard. Equally attractive, many of them also offer access to private waterfront, beachfront, forest land or golf courses."

Larry Brocato, executive vice president of The Howard Hughes Corp., Summerlin's developer, said the village's foothill elevation offers views of the entire valley. Its proximity to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and services also impress buyers.

Neighborhoods are centered around Bear's Best Las Vegas, a golf course that duplicates Jack Nicklaus' most popular hole designs.

Arrowhead, which features 25 one-half-acre sites adjacent to three holes of the course, was introduced in January 2003. Five lots remain, priced from the low $600,000s to more than $700,000.

Rimrock, which was introduced in mid-2003, features the village's largest home sites. They range from three-quarters of an acre to 1 1/4 acres. Five lots priced from the high $500,000s to the low $800,000s are available.

Promontory, the village's first custom neighborhood, is sold out.

"A drive through The Ridges reveals a growing collection of some of the valley's most spectacular and innovative custom homes that embrace the community's sophisticated desert-contemporary style and design guidelines," Brocato said.

A guard-gated parkway provides access to the village. Additional plans include Club Ridges, a private fitness center, and a 3-acre park.

Summerlin is home to more than 80,000 residents. Amenities include parks, trails, golf courses, schools, houses of worship, retail and medical centers, and cultural facilities.

To visit the 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. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

For additional information, visit www.reviewjournal.com/real estate and click on the Summerlin link.

Real Estate home