Christopher offers ‘cutting edge’ designs

Christopher Homes includes desert contemporary architecture within its homes to keep up with the Las Vegas residential market, according to Ann Marie Dockery of the builder's in-house design center.

"Christopher Homes has always been at the cutting edge of design -- always introducing something new," Dockery said. "Aesthetically, our desert contemporary homes work in harmony with the surrounding environment. The motif brings in the style and colors of the desert, but it also includes a lot of sleek, straight lines, lots of windows and trellises."

The builder features the architecture at its Boulder Ridge neighborhood located in The Ridges Village within Summerlin.

A collection of 46 residences will range from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet and be built on home sites from about one-quarter to one-half acre. Initial pricing starts from the upper $1 million range.

Four showcase homes are under construction and anticipated to debut in fall 2007.

Dockery said the new desert contemporary style is the logical next step for Christopher Homes, which has been widely recognized for popularizing Tuscan styling over the past decade. Whereas Tuscan architecture appeals to families seeking a more traditional look, desert contemporary provides a modern alternative.

As one example, rather than the traditional home theater, residences at Boulder Ridge may include entertainment rooms.

"This is a room that can serve many purposes," Dockery said. "There is an area for media, but there's also plenty of room for a pool table, so it can be used as a game room. There are also windows to take advantage of the fantastic views and a wet bar for refreshments and snacks."

The wine cellar will be different as well.

"We are now opening the wine room up -- making it a place where people can enjoy spending time," Dockery said. "Rather than just going down to retrieve a bottle and return to the guests, the host will be able to bring activity to the wine cellar."

Dockery said interior amenities such as the 13-by-20-inch floor tiles and 6-by-18-inch limestone and marble tiles in the homes' baths.

Among the included amenities are Viking kitchen appliances, including a freezer, choice of upscale plumbing fixtures, contemporary flat-panel maple veneer cabinets, choice of granite countertops with a full backsplash in glass or split-face travertine in six colors, lighting with blown-glass accents, steel-pivot hinge front doors and custom-framed mirrors over vanities.

Outside, some homes feature built-in barbecues, ledge stone accents, slate, metal roofs, cable trellises, paver stone driveways and storefront windows.

All buyers receive help with their interior design.

Additionally, buyers have options for outdoor fire and water features, a choice of front- and rear-landscaping packages, and several floor plan configurations, including many with studies, decks, deep patios, trellises and four-car garages.

Christopher Homes is celebrating 25 years of building homes in Southern Nevada.

To visit, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Town Center Drive. Go south on Town Center to Flamingo Road and turn right, proceed to Marble Ridge Drive and then turn left to the entrance of The Ridges and proceed to the guard gate.

The guard will provide directions to the sales office. For more information, call 617-1700 or visit christopherhomes.com.