Southern Highlands on fast track

Sales and construction activity has been brisk at the Southern Highlands master-planned community in the southwestern valley. Since opening, The Villages and The Estates developments have amassed more than 1,000 residents, and construction is under way on two parks and will start soon on a private fitness club.

More than a dozen home builders are developing The Villages, where about 75 model homes are open. Homes are priced from the low $100,000s to the $400,000s. Participating builders are: American West Homes, Beazer Homes, D.R. Horton Homes, Greystone Homes, John Laing Homes, KB Home, Kimball Hill Homes, Pacific Southwest Development, Pulte Homes, Southwest Homes, Trophy Homes, U.S. Home, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes.

The Estates is comprised of custom-home enclaves in a guard-gated setting. Lots are priced from the $200,000 to more than $1 million, and measure from one-half acre to 2 acres. Lots with views of the mountains, city and the Southern Highlands Golf Club are available.

Christopher Homes is developing two neighborhoods behind the gates at Southern Highlands Golf Club. The Villas is comprised of single- and two-story floor plans ranging from 2,100 to 3,300 square feet. Prices start from the $300,000s to the $800,000s. Each home features a backyard terrace and an interior courtyard. Other areas of the neighborhood are maintained by the homeowners association.

Buyers can choose from 15 floor plans at The Christopher Collection, where homes range from 3,000 to 6,200 square feet and are priced from the mid $400,000s to more than $1 million.

The Southern Highlands Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones Jr., is the focal point of The Estates. A private facility limited to 360 members, the par-72 course measures 7,381 yards, and recently served as a host course for the PGA Tour's Invensys Classic. The golf club's 42,000-square-foot Tuscan-style clubhouse features a library, wine room, men's grill, women's lounge, locker rooms, casual and fine dining, and a pro shop. In addition, five golf cottages are available as vacation residences to members and their guests.

Private membership opportunities extend to the golf club's fitness center. Construction starts soon on this 12,000-square-foot facility with a training area, private steam rooms, massage and treatment rooms, a swimming pool and competition tennis courts. Members may also participate in yoga classes.

Southern Highlands' first park, the 5-acre Goett Family Park, is expected to open before year's end. It will feature a playground, basketball court, sand volleyball court, soccer field, shade structure with picnic tables, a barbecue area and benches.

Also under construction is Linear Park Paseo, a 9-acre park that will include a tree-lined path for strolling, biking and jogging. It is part of a planned trail system that will link the neighborhoods to other amenities within Southern Highlands.

As planned, Southern Highlands will feature more than 50 acres of parks, trails, private and public schools, and fiber-optic communications as well as retail, dining and medical facilities.

To visit the community, take Interstate 15 south to Lake Mead Drive (the first exit after the Blue Diamond Road exit) and go west, following the signs. The models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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