Family finds space within Pesaro residence

Ralph and Lois Nicosia chose a home at the Pesaro neighborhood, located within Rhodes' Tuscany Residential Village in Henderson, and it was a sharp contrast to their former New York residences in Brooklyn and Long Island, they said.

"We needed a change, from the high taxes, the weather -- and the older kids were out of high school," Ralph Nicosia said.

The couple purchased model 2379, a single-story, Tuscan-style home containing three bedrooms, two baths and a powder room. The residence is named for its square footage, and they chose the den option to house a baby grand piano belonging to their 22-year-old son Joseph.

The couple, married 35 years, have two other children with different interests -- ballet, tap and jazz dancing for Nicole, 33, residing in Long Island, N.Y., and Jason, 31, into swimming, basketball and soccer, and who also lives in Las Vegas.

The Nicosias also chose a 21/2-car garage, as well as a fireplace in the great room off the home's island kitchen. The master bedroom is located off the great room while the other two bedrooms are at the front of the home connected by matching bath.

According to Rhodes Homes' sales manager John Means, "The single-story home is doing great in our community. It is a combination of exceptional product, priced appropriately with the best value in town. It was a vision of Jim Rhodes who saw the demand for single-story homes as well as potential buyers."

Among the amenities at Tuscany Residential Village, the Nicosias favor the La Vita Tuscana recreation center, the miles of walking trails, park and 24-hour security guards.

For 51 years, the Nicosias lived in Brooklyn and Long Island with Ralph working as an entertainer.

"I started in 1962 at 14 years old. I was a drummer, loved music and had coordination talent, beating on things. After 20 years, I put the sticks down and founded a nine-piece wedding band, the Jay-Joseph Orchestra. We played for 16 years, 1983 to 1999," Ralph Nicosia said.

Lois Nicosia worked as a waitress and in the travel field.

The recreation center includes a lap pool, lagoon pool, hot tubs, workout facility, aerobics room, indoor and outdoor basketball, racquetball, tennis, arts and crafts rooms, billiards, conference rooms, social areas, park areas and jungle gyms for children.

Tuscany encompasses a championship golf course designed by Ted Robinson Jr. as well as parks, walking trails and recreation centers.

To visit Tuscany Residential Village, take Lake Mead Drive past Boulder Highway to Mohawk Drive and turn left. Follow the signs to the clubhouse.

All Rhodes Homes sales offices are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Tuscany Residential Village, call 564-5011 or visit RhodesHomes.com.

Jim Rhodes, the founder and president of Rhodes Homes, is a lifelong Las Vegas resident and has been building homes in Nevada since 1985. Rhodes began his career as a carpenter and framer.