Las Ventanas life care enters second phase

Construction has started on phase two at Las Ventanas, a life care retirement community on West Charleston Boulevard within the Summerlin master-planned community. The $35 million project includes two additional independent living apartment buildings, six villas, a performing arts center, an assisted living center and a skilled nursing complex.

The second phase encompasses 200,000 square feet.

Zel and Mary Lowman were among the first 70 residents to move into the new community.

"We're pleased that Las Ventanas has started construction on the health care elements of the community, but it's the Las Ventanas lifestyle that really sells people," Mary Lowman said. "We recently came home from vacation. The Las Ventanas car met us at the airport, and we came home to a clean house and a hot gourmet meal in the dining room.

"Many of our friends still think of Las Ventanas as just an assisted living facility; it's not. It's a life care community that offers assisted living, if needed. This beautiful retirement community has far exceeded our expectations."

The Lowmans downsized from their Southern Nevada home a few years ago, and moved in with one of their sons in California.

"We needed to return to Las Vegas for personal reasons," Loman said. "Our children found Las Ventanas and said, `no need to look any further, this is it'. I believe that many of our contemporaries haven't made the decision to move to a life care community because they haven't made peace with downsizing. Once they do, they won't regret it."

Loman has enrolled in art classes, as well as tai chi classes at the community's health and fitness center. The facility houses exercise equipment, a hair salon, cyber café, and card and game rooms.

The housekeeping staff washes linens and cleans the apartments, according to Suzanne Caldarello, marketing director for the property.

"And speaking of being free from housekeeping and cooking, we're receiving requests from residents to reserve the private dining room for a family holiday meal -- no cooking and no cleaning up. All they have to do is enjoy the meal with family and friends," she said.

The community's European Tuscany décor is enhanced by abundant windows and artwork.

A limited number of independent-living apartments remain available. The 17-acre community is located at 10401 W. Charleston Blvd., between Town Center Drive and Hualapai Way. Senior living counselors are on-site from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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