MacDonald Highlands to host viewing

MacDonald Highlands will open its guarded gates to the public today from 1 to 4 p.m. for a special viewing of 12 estate homes to help benefit St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Visitors are encouraged to donate cash or new clothing to the local charity which helps abused, abandoned and neglected children.

Parking is provided on the northwest corner of Valle Verde Drive and Horizon Ridge Parkway; shuttle buses will escort visitors through the gated entrance.

"Ordinarily these custom homes would be seen by appointment only," said Rich MacDonald, developer of MacDonald Highlands.

The custom home sites are priced from $850,000 to $6 million.

Orient Express is a tri-level estate and measures 9,000 square feet with five bedrooms and an attached guest house. It includes furnishings and is priced at $5.5 million.

Watersong is a bi-level design featuring a 22-foot waterfall in the center of the estate. A staircase curves around two-level wine cellars with a glass floor. Measuring 8,000 square feet with five bedrooms, the home includes a 20-seat dining room, three-level movie theatre and an owner's suite with a two-story closet. This estate is priced at $3.6 million.

Villa Gabrielle is 7,800 square feet and features six bedrooms including guest casita, swimming pool/spa. This estate is priced at $3.95 million.

Karma has a Buddha fountain entry and five-bedroom in 6,100 square feet. This estate is priced at $3 million.

Grand Melange is a golf estate measuring 8,376 square feet. This two-story home features a great room design with a wetbar and entertainment center, "Murano" glass chandeliers, a kitchen with a baking station and a personal home gym. This estate is priced at $3.96 million.

Raja is a single-story home that measures 3,220 square feet and is decorated in slate and features curved walls of windows overlooking a waterfall swimming pool and spa. It is priced at $1.2 million.

Bel Air is a two-story estate adorned with painted mural and artistic glass designs. It measures 3,864 square feet and is priced at $1.35 million.

Vista Verde offers a gated front courtyard water feature, outdoor fireplace and guest house. The main house measures 3,424 square feet. Totaling five bedrooms, this golf course estate is being offered furnished at $1.35 million.

Serenity, another golf estate, measures 5,726 square feet. Highlights include a mini-suite and separate casita, home theatre and two laundry centers. It is priced at $4 million.

Belleza measures 4,381 square feet and has a swimming pool. A staircase and catwalk lead to the owner's suite and workout room. The estate is priced at $1.8 million.

Castello Monte, a two-story estate, is 9,900 square feet and situated on the golf course. It has a pool area and entertainment complex with theater and game rooms. This estate is priced at $5.9 million.

Disappearing walls open the family and dining rooms to the waterfall swimming pool and spa in Charisma, a two-story estate. Measuring 4,000 square feet, the four-bedroom home has high ceilings, a two-story fireplace, a glass, mosaic-tiled kitchen and butted-glass windows. The state is priced at $1.8 million.

For more information, call 614-9100 or visit the information center at 1730 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway.