Centex offers guard-gated living at Ardiente in North Las Vegas

Ardiente, a guard-gated, age-qualified community in North Las Vegas, has been included in Where to Retire magazine's 2007 list of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities.

Ardiente, built by Centex Homes, is offering the Stay-and-Play Getaway program. Prospective residents age 55 or older are invited to stay in a fully furnished model home, said Scott Worrall, vice president of sales for Centex Homes' Las Vegas Division. Visitors may utilize the clubhouse to swim in one of the pools or relax in the hot tub after a workout, Worrall said.

The community offers single-story homes measuring from 1,235 to 2,813 square feet, with two to four bedrooms and two to three baths. Prices start in the mid-$200,000s. The area offers dog parks and walking trails, among other amenities.

"Ardiente offers six unique parks, everything from a dog park to a rose park to a park designed with a dry river bed," Worrall said. "They all have seating and gathering spaces, plus they're interconnected and lead to a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse -- the community focal point."

Each of the community's 788 home sites is within four blocks of a park, a community design that Worrall said allows residents to incorporate a walk into their fitness, social or recreational plans.

"Everyone walks to the clubhouse, whether they're going to shoot pool, play bunko or take aquacize or Pilates classes. Along the way, many people take advantage of the fitness stations on our trails," he said. "The community layout promotes interaction, a feature that helped put Ardiente on the Where to Retire list."

The recreation area includes two outdoor swimming pools, card and billiards rooms, fireside reading areas and a complete fitness center. Sports courts and putting and chipping greens encircle the clubhouse.

Eight single-story floor plans are available at Ardiente. Some plans feature a kitchen nook, office, courtyard, studio, gallery or music room. Based on floor plan, buyers can opt for a sun room instead of a patio, and a guest suite in lieu of a studio.

Every floor plan includes a kitchen pantry and laundry room cabinets. Upgraded baseboards, raised-panel interior doors, levered chrome hardware, ceiling fans and barbecue gas stubs are among standard features.

The master bedrooms feature double sinks with cultured-marble vanities, Roman-style tubs and separate shower stalls. High-speed CAT-5 telephone and cable wiring, security alarm wiring and soft-water loops are also provided.

Thanks to energy-conservation features, the homes have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy's Energy Star certification, Worrall said. Buyers also receive a two-year warranty from Centex Homes.

Incentives are offered on some homes ready for immediate move-in. Centex Homes also has incentives for educators, health care providers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel, as well as active, reserve and retired military members, Worrall said.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, exit west and proceed to the Pecos Road exit and go south. Take a left on Tropical Parkway, make a right on Walnut Road and the second right is the entrance to the Ardiente front gate.

The sales office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Monday when it opens at noon. For more information, call 651-1051 or visit activeadultcentex.com.