MacDonald Highlands developer says this year has started off well

MacDonald Highlands is nestled into the McCullough mountain range with views of the Las Vegas Strip.

The community's developer Rich MacDonald said custom lot sales and new memberships to the country club have surpassed last year's activity in this year's first quarter alone. He credits the unveiling of several new neighborhoods and the grand opening of additional amenities to the private country club for this year's strong sales in a weak economy.

"MacDonald Highlands is about four things -- stunning luxury homes, a championship golf course, spectacular views of the Las Vegas Valley and easy access to the city below," MacDonald said. "There are few communities that offer this winning combination."

Approaching from a distance, there are the first hillside homes -- massive, glass-sheathed, clean-lined estates perched on the mountainsides.

Elevations are stepped; floor plans terraced, horizontal lines are emphasized and natural materials predominate.

Concealed behind the guarded gates and landscaped entrance is the private golf course known as DragonRidge Country Club. This secluded course with its fairways, greens and tee boxes was sculpted and carved by famed designers Jay Moorish and David Druzisky who placed the golf course back into the canyons, among the rock outcroppings and arroyos.

Named after a rocky ridge, known to residents as the "Sleeping Dragon," DragonRidge's award-winning clubhouse features a gourmet steak house with views of the Las Vegas Strip, two mixed grills and lounges, a ballroom seating 300 guests, a swimming pool and golf pro shop.

Grand openings were recently held for two new additions to the community.

The new Tennis and Athletic Center highlighting a 14,000-square-foot facility offers child care and an Internet café. A staff of personal trainers and fitness instructors are available to guide members through the latest in the use of cardio and weight machines. They also teach classes in Pilates, aerobics, cycling and kick boxing. The Center has locker rooms for members with sauna, steam, Jacuzzi and massage.

The second new addition is Nevada's only Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, which opened May 16. The instruction is centered around improving a student's result on the golf course and their ability to enjoy the game. The Academy features a number of new innovative technologies that provide detailed information never before available to the average player.

The Motion Golf 3-D Motion Imaging System provides the instructor with unprecedented images of the student and their club from set-up to finish. The student's image can then be compared to a library of touring professionals based on the student's physical makeup and swing style.

Custom home sites in Highlander Ridge, a planning area of quarter to half-acre lots, are being purchased in multiple sales with the buyers intending on merging the lots into larger acreage, according to MacDonald.

The lots offer panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip with prices starting at $600,000.

In addition, Highlander Ridge is set to be the new site of the 2011 Street of Dreams show, with builders already choosing their lots.

Stone Mountain Ridge, a neighborhood of large acreage lots, developed specifically for family compounds and with price tags running up to $6 million, is half sold out, according to MacDonald.

Dragon's Glen, a natural terrain neighborhood is also seeing its share of sales, he said.

Upon completion, MacDonald Highlands will feature luxury residences amid 17 neighborhoods spread over 1,200 acres of mountain range.

Three neighborhood parks will encompass about 10 acres and will feature tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, play areas and picnic facilities. MacDonald Highlands is also planning five miles of fitness trails that will meander throughout the community and provide access to nature trails that lead deep into the surrounding McCullough Mountains.

For more information, visit the community's information center at 1730 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite No. 100. To get there, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Valle Verde Drive and travel south to the corner of Valle Verde Drive and Horizon Ridge Parkway. The office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For more information, or to schedule a private tour of MacDonald Highlands, call 614-9100.