Work continues on Summit in Summerlin

At a time when golf courses across the country are losing their greens, Discovery Land's Summit golf community within Summerlin is taking root.

Grading, infrastructure work and golf course construction began this summer, and Steve Adelson, a Discovery Land partner, said he expects the Tom Fazio 18-hole course will open by the end of 2016. He said the company's midcentury homes and 110,000-square-foot clubhouse, which will have residences, will start construction this summer.

The sales office in Downtown Summerlin at 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Suite 480 is open. Adelson said the Scottsdale, Ariz., company will use its in-house sales team to market the custom lots and homes. Next year, a sales office will be onsite. Adelson said he already has 50 early buyers. Of those about 80 percent are Las Vegas residents. The remainder are buyers who already own in one of Discovery Land's 17 other private golf communities in the United States, Mexico and the Bahamas.

"We have had amazing feedback and success," he said. "We are very excited about how it's going."

Discovery Land has partnered with The Howard Hughes Corp. to build the community, which is planned for 250 homes near Tropicana Avenue and Town Center Drive, just south of The Ridges, in the foothills near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Homes will range from just under $3 million to $7 or $8 million. The clubhouse, which will have 60,000 square feet of residential units, will have condos with one to five bedrooms and will be priced from just under $2 million to $6 or $7 million. Custom lots will be priced from $2 million to $10 million. Adelson said the build-out will be five to seven years.

Adelson said Discovery Land executives, marketing directors and designers, sales representatives and early buyers will meet with Summerlin and Howard Hughes top chiefs in mid-November to "add details to our plan."

Although homes can have different styles, they need to get approval from the design review board to ensure the homes are built with quality materials and landscaping. The Summit's name and midcentury pays homage to Las Vegas' Rat Pack era and a reference to its elevated position — both literally and socially.

The clubhouse will house several Discovery Land farm-to-plate restaurants, wellness and fitness centers, spa, coffee shop, general store and theater. There will be recreational areas, such as a basketball and pickleball court.

While golf play is down across the nation, Adelson said golf play is up at Discovery Land communities because he makes it fun for everyone.

The golf course has "comfort stations" that dish out prizes, candy, Kobe sliders, desserts, ice cream sandwiches, fresh fish off the grill, healthy snacks and salads. It holds themed events on the golf course.

"Our participation in our golf-course communities are rising because of our ability to make it fun for every family member," he said. "It's all about fun."

Adelson said the private course will be open for only residents and their guests. It will not host professional tours.

"We are focused on our members' experience. There will be no PGA Tour events," he said. "We design for our members and their families. it's an ultra-exclusive, secure, private community."