Lake Las Vegas Resort's atmosphere draw artists

While visiting family in Las Vegas two years ago, Jerry and Lona Blank toured Lake Las Vegas Resort and left it as homeowners.

The artists, who had recently returned to San Jose, Calif., after spending a year in Paris painting, were looking to relocate. Jerry Blank said they were drawn to the Henderson community because it is "remote" from the Strip.

The community is built around a 320-acre private lake.

After moving into their home in Sorrento, a neighborhood developed by MarQuis Resort Homes, a division of Centex Destination Properties, the couple held an art show at the SouthShore Yacht and Beach Club, of which they are members.

Jerry Blank is an impressionistic painter, while Lona Blank focuses on realism. They own and operate a graphic design firm and art gallery at the resort.

"The art show enabled us to meet our neighbors," Lona Blank said. "Everyone's very friendly here and we love to go boating on the lake with our friends or take in a round of golf."

Membership in the resort's social clubs is optional. They offer amenities such as recreational facilities, concierge services, and preferred pricing at various restaurants, shops and hotels, as well as yacht and boat rentals.

In addition to Sorrento, which overlooks Reflection Bay Golf Club, 18 neighborhoods offer luxury homes, custom-home sites, courtyard villas, townhomes, waterfront and golf villas, and condominiums.

Homes are priced from the $300,000s to more than $1 million.

"When you drive into the resort, it's absolutely spectacular with rolling hills, palm trees and golf courses," Jerry Blank said. "The resort's future developments will make it even more fantastic and we've already seen an example of its potential with MonteLago Village."

The village features stores, restaurants and a 40,000-square-foot casino.

Additional amenities include a fire station, spas, resort hotels, marina with watercraft rentals and yacht cruises, and three golf courses.

To visit, take Interstate 515 to Lake Mead Drive and head east to Lake Las Vegas Parkway, Or, take Interstate 215 to Lake Las Vegas Parkway.

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