Tuscan Cliffs promotes conservation

Home building is going green, and luxury residences are no exception in Pacific Southwest Development's Tuscan Cliffs community at Southern Highlands.

"It was important for us to build Energy Star compliant homes," said Michael Goeth, sales associate at Tuscan Cliffs. "Even though the designs are a bit larger and more complex than traditional single-family residences, our homeowners are very aware of green building standards and expect them to be offered in their own residences."

All four of Tuscan Cliffs' model homes are Energy Star-compliant and include standard features such as blown-in cellulose insulation and Andersen wood-clad windows.

Efficient heating and cooling equipment and appliances are offered as part of the Energy Star program. Each residence is equipped with quick-recovery water heaters, hot water recirculation systems, programmable thermostats and energy-saving air-conditioning units.

According to Goeth, Pacific Southwest Development will offer expanded options for energy savings at its new Bluffs Collection, set to debut next month. Homes in The Bluffs have already been qualified through the Build It Green program, a nonprofit organization based in California that promotes healthy, energy-efficient and resource-efficient home building practices.

More than 50 configurations are available among the four base models at Tuscan Cliffs. Each offers a master suite with a separate retreat, extensive rear patio, central courtyard and common areas. Among thousands of available options at every home are home theater systems, structured wiring systems and media networks, elevators, wine cellars and grottos, custom ceiling treatments, swimming pools, outdoor fireplaces, water features and a variety of decorator touches.

The builder also recently added stainless-steel Viking appliances, wrought-iron stair railings, and granite counters and vanities as standard features.

All home sites measure at least one-quarter acre.

Base prices start at just over $1 million.

Standard amenities include paverstone driveways, sand-finished stucco exteriors, stainless steel appliances, exterior stone veneer, 42-inch maple cabinets, granite countertops, 6-foot garden tubs and Kohler plumbing fixtures.

All homes include outdoor kitchens and disappearing glass doors, which allow residents to link internal and external areas seamlessly.

Pacific Southwest Development is offering complimentary one-year social memberships to the Southern Highlands Golf Club for new residents at Tuscan Cliffs, upon application approval, Goeth said. The Southern Highlands Golf Club and Spa at Southern Highlands include a 13,000-square-foot spa, 4,000-square-foot fitness center, fitness classes, 25-meter lap pool, tennis courts, Jacuzzis and private poolside cabanas. Its golf course was named by Golf Digest magazine as one of the top residential golf courses in the United States.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to the St. Rose Parkway exit and go west. Drive north on Southern Highlands Parkway and proceed to Stonewater Lane, then turn left and follow the signs. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday when it opens at 1 p.m. For more information, call 228-8559 or visit pacificsouthwest.com.

Pacific Southwest has been building homes in the Las Vegas Valley for nearly 20 years.