Constructing Summerlin is a group project

Summerlin's design, along with its amenities and location, work together to create a lifestyle that is hard to match in the Las Vegas Valley, according to Mary Connelly, Nevada division president of William Lyon Homes, one of 14 home builders currently putting up houses in the master-planned community.

"Summerlin set the standard from its inception that others are emulating today," Connelly said.

Her sentiment is echoed by several other local builders who have made careers building homes there. Most of the community's current home builders have a long track record of building in Summerlin, including William Lyon Homes, which has been building in Summerlin since 1998.

"With every neighborhood we've opened in Summerlin, the buyer response has been strong," said Chris Myers, division president of Toll Brothers. "We're eager to continue our association with the community."

According to Mark Oiness, owner of Westmark Homes, the community's name recognition and established brand make it "highly appealing" to builders and home buyers.

Richard Dix, Mountain West area president of Pulte Homes, agrees on the weight carried by the Summerlin name, as does Dave Strickler, chief financial officer of Christopher Homes.

"Summerlin's premier location, along with its established brand, has been vital to the success of each Summerlin home builder," Dix said. "It's a major reason our company recently chose to partner with Summerlin in developing an entire 'green' village in the community," he said of Reverence, Pulte's planned 300-acre development.

"Summerlin was the obvious choice for a project of this scope and nature. We are proud to be associated with Summerlin and appreciate The Howard Hughes Corp.'s commitment to both quality and environmentally sensitive development," Dix said.

According to Strickler, whose company has been building in Summerlin since 1992, The Howard Hughes Corp. reputation is "rock solid" for both buyers and builders. "We've had considerable success selling homes in Summerlin over the years," Strickler said. "The community has always delivered on its promises and is continuing to evolve as originally envisioned, and home buyers recognize that."

Today, Summerlin offers more than 100 floor plans with more than 60 model homes, in addition to several custom home site neighborhoods in The Ridges.

Summerlin has about 7,500 acres remaining to develop, including its urban core village, Summerlin Centre. For more information, call 791-4000 or visit summerlin.com.