Urban dwellers attracted to downtown’s sense of community

Whether relative newcomers or long-time Las Vegans, the city's urban dwellers share a common love for downtown's strong sense of community.

"They say it takes a village to raise a child," said Zappos.com's Jamie Naughton, who resides at The Ogden with her daughter, Jaidyn. "A village is what we've got down here. It's ironic that there is more of a family feeling in a downtown high-rise than in a suburban neighborhood. But the sense of community is undeniable."

That sense of belonging that permeates throughout downtown high-rise living has its roots in the area's mature neighborhoods.

"The decision to move downtown was one of the most important in my life. The heart of Las Vegas is its core. My neighbors are actually my friends and the sense of pride for the neighborhood is second to none," said Brian "Paco" Alvarez, photo library curator for the Las Vegas News Bureau.

For attorney Kimberly Maxson-Rushton and her husband Ric, it was the accessible amenities, cultural offerings and locally owned restaurants that drew them to Rancho Nevada Estates, but it's the sense of community that keeps them there.

"We bought the house when we were expecting our daughter and looking for a great place to raise our family," Maxson-Rushton said. "If I had to pick one thing I love most about the neighborhood, it's the other families that live there. Our neighbors are what make it a truly special place to live."

Denise Valdez, 8 News Now anchor, and her fiancé, Eric Villarreal, concur. Residents of the Scotch 80s neighborhood, Valdez said, "There's a real sense of neighborhood here. We often take part in progressive dinner parties, starting with cocktails at one house and then enjoying a different course at a different house. 

For Stephanie Stallworth, director of public affairs for Cox Communications, downtown has been home since birth, and she and her husband Steve, don't intend to leave anytime soon.

"Steve and I lived in my parents' guest house while we waited for our home to be built in Summerlin," Stephanie Stallworth said. "Before the home was completed, I convinced Steve to buy another home in Rancho Bel Air, just one block from my parents' home. So we sold our Summerlin house before spending even one night in it. That was six years ago and we haven't looked back."

Today, the Stallworths are annual donors of the Smith Center and Broadway season ticket holders. "We're really looking forward to sharing the Broadway shows with our kids," Stephanie Stallworth said.

Other urban dwellers are downtown not only for its neighborhoods, but because it is a good place to start and grow a business.

In 2002, Staci Linklater and James P. Reza moved into the historic McNeil Estates. In 2008, they relocated their Globe Salon to the downtown Soho Lofts location. Since that time the salon has been named a "Salon of the Year" by Salon Today and twice made Elle magazine's list of "America's Best Hair: Top 100 Salons."

"It's nice to help create a tangible part of the rebirth of downtown. I love being able to walk a block or two and see art or have lunch, or bop down to East Fremont for a cocktail after work," Reza said.

Wes Isbutt and Debra Heiser have been downtown residents and business owners for more than 20 years. As co-owner of The Arts Factory, and its new tenant, Bar+Bistro, the couple has a residential apartment on the building's second floor. Their adaptive reuse and restoration of the space was the first of its kind in the Las Vegas Valley.

"We love the fact that we can exit our front studio door and see art, hear music and grab a great meal or drink -- not only in Bar+Bistro, but many other establishments in 18b and downtown. We can hop on our tandem bicycle and head out for a variety of restaurant and bar offerings. We live, work and breathe the urban core," said Isbutt.

For some urban dwellers the convenience of downtown living means proximity to work, cultural activities, shopping, restaurants and coffee houses.

Maggie and Brian Plaster love their downtown lifestyle. The convenience of restaurants, shopping and businesses as well as close proximity to their workplaces makes downtown a great home for the duo and their two young children. They love taking the kids to Bob Baskin Park and the Springs Preserve.

Perhaps Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite, co-owners of Emergency Arts, The Beat Coffeehouse and Records and Downtown Cocktail Room, sum it up best. "It's fantastic to live close to the city's core. As residents of an historic neighborhood that's in the center of the city with easy access to everything, we enjoy a much more freeing life and a sense of happiness."