Larson Construction builds multimillion-dollar residences

From a 4,000-square-foot custom home which sold for $530,000 in 2000, James Larson, owner of Larson Construction LLC, has graduated to a 7,661-square-foot, two-story Anthem Country Club custom-built home listed at $3,490,000.

Larson's first project, which is located near Lone Mountain and Cimarron Roads, took a little over a year to complete. His latest, the fifth in a series of upscale homes in a downturn market, broke ground in October 2006 and was completed in February 2008.

The builder started in his teen years and worked his way up to sole ownership.

"I moved to Las Vegas in 1990 from Southern California. I have been in the construction field for 27 years, starting as a Masons Tender as a summer job in high school hauling stone, block and cement.

"After high school I got a job with a tile and plumbing shop specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodels.

"It was there I learned about plumbing, electrical, framing, tile and marble. A few years after I moved to Las Vegas while I was working for a tile and stone shop, I got my tile subcontractors license and opened CTS tile. In 2000 I got my general contractors license and started Larson Construction," Larson said.

As the Las Vegas market shrunk, each of Larson's projects grew in size, cost and price.

"I have built five homes in the northwest, McDonald Highlands and Anthem Country Club. They have been getting bigger and more expensive as I go. I like to build spec, because it allows me the freedom to design and build what I like," Larson said.

It is the infinity pool, costing $86,000, that was the single most expensive feature in Larson's latest home.

Pat Klohr, project manager of Smart Pools Inc., a Klohr family owned and operated Las Vegas custom nontraditional pool designer and contractor, said, "Jim Larson Construction wanted a poolscape to reflect the look and feel of his custom home and mirror the city view. This pool has a geometric look with a full-length, vanishing-edge highlighting the valley view.

"We find that having the correct design will inspire the high-end buyer and have tremendous value adding in the sale of this custom home."

The Anthem Country Club home features include a four-car garage, gourmet kitchen, family room with wet bar, five fireplaces, casita, wine room, theater room, Smart Home with automation system, large balcony, steam shower, heated tub in master bedroom, courtyard with fireplace, 26-foot-high foyer, five bedrooms and seven baths.

"The two best days in spec building are the day the permit is approved and the day you close escrow," Larson said.

"I have had a few celebrities and professional athletes looking at my homes, but none have purchased any.

"I like to build in gated golf-course communities. The view from this house is spectacular, you can see the entire valley," Larson said.

Listing Realtor John Bohnet with Realty Executive of Nevada believes that in a depreciating climate a buyer holds the cards.

"This may be the best time for buyers in a decade," Bohnet said. "The Las Vegas market will quickly rebound this time next year. We all will be saying, 'I should have bought a home then.'"

Joan Schiller Travis can be reached at 702-338-9797 or JTwriter@cox.net.