Restaurateurs build into hillsides of MacDonald Highlands

When Carmine and Annie Vento purchased a half-acre lot in the MacDonald Highlands hillside community five years ago, they believed they found a slice of the good life.

"Construction had yet to begin, but I had foresight," said Carmine Vento, a restaurateur and sports lounge owner. "I envisioned what the views would be like and I wasn't disappointed."

The Ventos designed a 10,500-square-foot terraced home with views overlooking the DragonRidge golf course and the Las Vegas skyline.

"During the day, there's a panoramic view of the golf course, which transitions to a city view when the sun goes down," Carmine Vento said. "The grass just disappears and all of a sudden you see lights."

The Ventos, who at first had reservations about building a hillside home, are thrilled with their new residence.

"I knew this would be our last house, so we had to make the right decision," Annie Vento said. "We looked at numerous custom-home communities throughout the Las Vegas Valley, but as soon as we visited MacDonald Highlands, I knew I was home. I love everything about the neighborhood."

Carmine Vento credits developer Rich MacDonald for making the community so livable.

"I like the fact that MacDonald Highlands is owned by a private person, not a big corporation," he said. "Rich takes a lot of pride in the community and gives it his personal attention. It's not like dealing with a corporation, where they don't care what happens after they sell the lot. He's not going to let that happen."

The Ventos' five-bedroom, seven-bath home, located in the Palisades neighborhood, has a 4,000-square-foot main floor with no dividing walls. The area is comprised of a family room, a home theater with a 12-foot-by-8-foot projection screen that's visible from all vantage points on the first floor, and a kitchen that occupies about 1,900 square feet.

As restaurateurs, the design of the kitchen was paramount. It has a 12-burner stove top as well as two commercial refrigerators which span a combined eight feet. There's also a seven-foot-long dining table and an 11-foot-long island, which includes a sink and one unusual feature: Instead of the usual granite top, the island has a butcher's block.

"It's usable and we use it," Annie Vento said. "In fact, every room in this house is usable. There's not one room that doesn't feel warm and comfortable and lived in."

The basement was designed with grandchildren in mind. The Ventos have two grandkids, a 1-year-old and a 6-month-old, with another baby on the way.

"We designed it for the kids," Annie Vento said of the basement, which has a pool room, a rec room, kitchen, gym and two bedrooms. "It's their retreat. They're always here and when they grow up they'll have a place to play. Our grandchildren will also enjoy the two-tiered swimming pool, which overlooks the Las Vegas Strip."

The community will comprise 17 neighborhoods built around DragonRidge Country Club. It will feature about 560 luxury homes upon buildout.

Lots are available with city, mountain and golf course views. They are priced from $160,000 to more than $2 million.

DragonRidge will feature a golf shop, exercise facility, swimming pool and upscale dining rooms. A temporary clubhouse is open. Memberships are available for MacDonald Highlands residents as well as nonresidents.

To visit, take Interstate 215 to Valley Verde Drive, head south to Horizon Ridge Parkway and follow the signs to the sales office. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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