Providence wins building award

Providence, a 1,200-acre master-planned community in the northwestern valley, recently received national recognition by the Modular Building Institute with an Award of Distinction for its information center.

The 1,536-square-foot Providence Information Center emulates a classic small-town soda fountain and ice cream shop, with a soda jerk-style counter where visitors can gather information about the community.

Surrounded by mature desert-adaptable shade and specimen trees and fitted with wood siding and a large wrap-around porch, the Information Center is open daily. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"The information center's distinctive design provides visitors with a significant first impression of the sense of the spirit and style that makes Providence stand apart from other communities in the Las Vegas Valley," said John A. Ritter, chairman and chief executive officer of Focus Property Group, the master planner of Providence.

Founded in 1983, Charlottesville, Va.-based MBI is a trade association serving manufacturers and dealers of commercial modular buildings.

The Providence Information Center serves as a resource for those interested in learning more about homes in the master plan. The center also updates buyers on the status of infrastructure projects, parks and future events at Providence.

Part of what sets Providence apart from other master plans is the community's traditional Americana theme, Ritter said. Information center visitors can learn more about this theme, and how Providence revels in the small-town traditions of the American Dream and celebrates the optimism of American frontiers.

In its parks and public spaces, Providence will celebrate the diversity of American voices that inspire and reflect the character and genius that is America, Focus officials said.

To name the parks at Providence, Focus Property Group chose names of American literary and historical icons.

Huckleberry Park draws its name from numerous sources, notably Mark Twain's classic character, Huckleberry Finn. Knickerbocker Park was named in honor of author Washington Irving, whose "Knickerbocker Tales," a collection of stories from 18th century upstate New York include "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The Providence Information Center earned MBI's award by showing excellence in three criteria: architecture, technical innovation and cost effectiveness/energy efficiency.

Judges said the center's architectural excellence was found in elements such as an old-fashioned ice cream parlor reception area, use of cherry wood and brass fixtures, and intelligent use of space.

Among its technical innovations is a design that permits the illusion of a two-story building despite the constraints of shipping heights for modular structures. When the MBI judges examined the center's cost effectiveness/energy efficiency, they credited designers for creating a building that saved on transportation costs and use of materials.

The MBI's Award of Distinction is the commercial modular industry's premier awards program, offering competition in more than 30 categories for MBI members.

When built out, Providence will comprise an estimated 7,500 single- and multi-family homes in 39 subdivisions. The master plan includes parks and trail systems, as well as two elementary schools and one middle school.

To visit, exit Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, at N. Hualapai Way (Exit 35) and go north. Turn left to the information center at N. 7051 Hualapai Way.

To learn more, call 433-5084 or visit providencelv.com or focuspropertygroup.com.