- Las Vegas has scores of master-planned communities
- The biggest and best known is Summerlin
- The 2 newest large ones are Cadence in Henderson and Skye Canyon
By Hal DeKeyser
Las Vegas is home to a wide array of master-planned communities. Some are new, some are built-out. Here are the most recognized ones:
Aliante
Great mix of family and age-restricted homes. Aliante is one of the newest Las Vegas master planned communities in North Las Vegas. Located in the north, 215 and Decatur. It has a local casino plus other amenities. The age-restricted development, Sun City Aliante, has a website: www.suncityaliantenlv.com.
Anthem
Almost the other side of the Valley from Aliante, south and east-central. Once fully developed, Anthem will have roughly 12,000 homes. Additional highlights include Anthem Country Club and Sun City Anthem. Both offer golf and community/recreation centers filled with things to do. Originally developed by Del Webb, now Pulte. www.anthemcommunitycouncil.com/
Cadence
One of the valley’s newest developments in Henderson. Located east of US 95 along Lake Mead Parkway. Cadence has 450 acres of open space, a central park, low walls and promises to plant thousands of trees. Mid-priced builders include CalAtlantic, Richmond American, Woodside and Lennar. The age-restricted community, Heritage, features RV garages. Views of the Strip can be found throught. No SIDs or LIDs. http://cadencenv.com/
Green Valley
Located in the southeast part of the valley is Henderson. Here you’ll find a wide range of housing from tract to custom. It’s one of those areas where residents like to say they’re from Green Valley Ranch rather than Henderson or Las Vegas. http://www.greenvalleyranch.org/
Inspirada
South on Interstate 15 and then east off St. Rose Parkway. The selling point here is a spine of parks that run through the middle of the development. Hoping this makes up for relatively small lots. It has some townhouses and yardless detached models with different designs, like a Beazer three story with a party patio up top. Lots of outdoor activities. A Costco is coming nearby. www.Inspirada.com.
Lake Las Vegas
Home of mountain and lake vistas, plus golf courses, hotel casino and small Italian-like village surrounding a 320-acre reservoir. Enjoy paddling, kayaking, restaurants. It’s a bit out of the way east of 95 on Lake Mead Parkway. Lake Las Vegas mixes upscale custom homes with upscale production homes, some with stunning views. Pricier than most developments in Las Vegas, as one might expect. www.lakelasvegas.com/
The Lakes
This community is east of Summerlin and south of Peccole Ranch. This two-square-mile development built around its namesake, the man-made Lake Sahara. It was developed beginning in the 1980s and is a mature, resale community now.
MacDonald Ranch
Near Eastern and St. Rose Parkway is 3,200 acres perched a bit above the Las Vegas valley. Offering views, upscale homes and lots of greenery. It features the gated MacDonald Highlands for even more high-end homes, plus the Dragon Ridge Golf Course, and Sun City MacDonald Ranch. 2,400 homes located here, and the community is built out.
Mountain’s Edge
One of the Las Vegas master planned communities that started before the bust and managed to stay alive during the recession. Check out Exploration Peak Park, which offers a short hike up the hill for a fabulous 360-degree view of the Valley. Mountains Edge has tons of walking trails so it’s friendly for kids playing. www.MountainsEdge.com
Peccole Ranch
Among the greener Las Vegas master planned communities. It’s south of Summerlin Parkway and east of Summerlin. An easy drive to much of Las Vegas. This is a resale community except for upscale homes in Queensridge. www.PeccoleRanch.net
Providence
The furthest major development in the northwest until Skye Canyon started in 2015. Featuring parks, trails, trees and planned events. Providence has a range of moderately priced homes, including some with side yards for RVs. Plans call for about 7,000 houses on 1,200 acres once built-out. www.providencelv.com/
The Ranchos
Historic Las Vegas neighborhoods around Rancho Drive and Charleston. Home to developments like Rancho Bonita and Rancho Bel Air. These neighborhoods are decades old. Mature trees, landscaping and grandfathered grass can be found here. Mostly single story homes with larger lots than newer communities. There is a wide range here from fairly modest middle class houses to luxury guard-gated custom homes. Celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis, have called the Rancho neighborhoods home.
Rhodes Ranch
Recreation, golf and water. Lots of water! Three features residents seek out in Rhodes Ranch. Located on Durango a few miles south of the 215 in the southwest valley. Home to the Fun Zone Water Park with slides, games and other features. The recreation center is well-stocked with exercise equipment and friendly faces. Multiple builders. www.rhodesranchhoa.net.
Seven Hills
Near the Henderson Executive Airport is approximately two square miles of relative affluence. Seven Hills is mostly gated and features neighbors such as Mike Tyson. It has a golf course, miles of paved trails and incredible views. Mostly built out except for an occasional infill build.
Silverstone Ranch
This community, in the northwest has nine neighborhoods and more than 1,500 homes. Home sizes range from 1,400 square feet to about 4,000. Near Buffalo and Grand Teton, the community has been in a dispute over it’s golf course for more than a year. www.facebook.com/silverstoneranchlv/
Silverado Ranch
Moderately priced and mostly built-out. This community started in the early ‘90s, with some pockets of big-lot luxury. It’s convenient to the Strip and to Interstate 15 and the 215, close to Green Valley.
Skye Canyon
This is the newest of the master planned communities in the northwest. Travel along 95 just before the turnoff to Mount Charleston. The development emphasizes the outdoor lifestyle with trails, neighborhood parks and events. Don’t forget about the well-appointed community center, fitness center and huge pool. They’re expecting about 9,000 homes at completion. www.SkyeCanyon.com
Southern Highlands
A few builders are still offering new homes here. It’s south along I-15 and then west. Southern Highlands includes high end, big-lot custom homes and tract homes. Another one of those places where residents self-identify by the name Southern Highlands.
Summerlin
This is the granddaddy of Las Vegas master planned communities. About 100,000 residents are already calling it home. It may be twice that when the full 22,500 acres are built out. Traditional tract neighborhoods and very posh multi-million-dollar exclusive estates with mountain and city views. It features the Red Rock Country Club, Red Rock Resort and the Downtown Summerlin shopping area. Summerlin includes thousands of square feet of office space and mid-rise living. Up against preserve land, no development will sneak in west of it. Summerlin consists of multiple villages, which are developed sequentially. www.Summerlin.com
Free consumer’s guide on buying a new Las Vegas home
This is taken from Hal DeKeyser’s new book, “Buying New — Discover hidden savings, dodge pitfalls and have fun finding your newly built home (Vegas version).” To get a free advance copy, email him at hal.dekeyser@gmail.com with “I want the book” in the Subject line.
