Ardiente plays host to classic car show

More than 1,000 classic car enthusiasts assembled on the North Las Vegas grounds of Centex Homes' Ardiente neighborhood for the Ardiente Classic Cruisin' Car Show June 22.

More than 150 members of the Las Vegas Cruisin' Association were on hand to display their vehicles -- everything from a 1921 Ford Touring to a 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang.

Representatives of event sponsors Centex Homes and Beasley Broadcast Group, with the help of Las Vegas Cruisin' Association members, awarded trophies in several categories.

Ardiente is an age-qualified community for people 55 and older.

Johny Torres won the Centex Homes Best of Show award for his 1964 Chevrolet Impala. The Las Vegas Cruisin' Association Pick of the Night award went to Chuck Miller for his 1934 Chevy 5 Window Coupe.

"It was the perfect event for a hot summer night. Art Kam, president of the Las Vegas Cruisin' Association, helped make the evening a huge success," said Jillian Lura, operational marketing manager for Centex Homes. "The turnout was phenomenal and people offered great feedback about the car show and the community. Ardiente is a close-knit community where active adults can unwind and be among friends. The car show celebrated that theme."

The lineup of classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars and exotic vehicles stole the show, but Lura said the evening's free entertainment and refreshments made the event even more memorable.

"We treated guests to Memphis Championship Barbecue, ice cream, pizza and entertainment by the Mike O'Brian Band," she said.

KKLZ 96.3 Classic Hits and Coyote Country 104.3 broadcasted live from the event.

"Ardiente is designed so neighbors can interact in yards, at the clubhouse and practically everywhere on the grounds. The car show brought everyone together in that same way. It felt like a giant block party or reunion," Lura said.

During the event, classic cars encircled the 13,000-square-foot clubhouse, the centerpiece of the guard-gated community. The clubhouse is a place where residents can congregate and seek relaxation on a daily basis, according to Lura.

"People were very impressed with the amenities. My hunch is that Ardiente will have its fair share of classic car lovers as residents before long. Many people joked that they wanted to check in for the whole weekend," she said.

Clubhouse highlights include two pools, barbecue areas, billiard and card rooms, and a fully equipped gym.

Residents also have use of a private putting green, a chipping green and tennis courts. Six separate parks, including a rose park and fenced dog park, are scattered throughout the grounds. A 24-hour roving security patrol provides peace of mind for residents who utilize Ardiente's amenities during off-peak hours, Lura said.

An all-single-story community, Ardiente offers floor plans measuring from 1,235 to 2,813 square feet. Home buyers can choose among eight layouts with up to three bedrooms and three baths. Room highlights, based on floor plan, include dens, formal dining rooms, eating nooks, studios, galleries and music rooms. Home designs have a walk-in closet or dual walk-in closets. Structural variations can accommodate a sunroom, office, guest suite or a second floor, based on plan.

Interior features include raised-panel doors with levered chrome hardware, upgraded baseboards and laundry room cabinets. Homes have ceiling fans in select areas.

Conveniences include a barbecue gas stub-out to the rear yard, CAT-5 wiring for telephone connections and prewiring for cable in all rooms. Other features include security alarm system prewiring, a soft-water loop and low-e windows.

Homes earn the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star seal of approval. Buyers receive Centex Homes' Two-Year Fit and Finish Warranty, which extends the normal one-year coverage to two years at no additional cost, Lura said.

"When people see the lifestyle and unique homes, they can picture themselves in the setting," Lura said. "The infrastructure is completely in place, so home buyers can simply select a floor plan, possibly take advantage of an immediate move-in and then start enjoying the good life at Ardiente."

Prices start in the $250,000s. Special incentives may apply on homes available for immediate move-ins. Educators, health care providers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel as well as active, reserve, retired and veteran military members can take advantage of Centex Homes' incentive programs designed especially for them, according to Lura.

Model homes are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To visit Ardiente, take Interstate 15 and exit at Craig Road west. Turn right on Losee Road, then right on Ann Road, which turns into Tropical Parkway. Turn right on Walnut Road and proceed to the sales office.

From Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, exit south on Losee, turn left on Tropical, then right on Walnut to the sales office.

For more information, call the sales center at 651-1051 or visit activeadultcentex.com.