Projects top national list

This year, Mountain's Edge, a 3,500-acre master-planned community located in southwestern Las Vegas, has retained its No. 1 ranking as the top-selling U.S. master-planned community in the annual Robert Charles Lesser & Co. report. The independent real estate advisory firm tracks master-planned communities throughout the country.

The study showed Providence, a 1,200-acre master plan in the northwestern valley, moved to the No. 4 spot this year, up from its No. 5 position in 2008.

Focus Property Group developed the two Las Vegas master-planned communities. The survey showed Mountain's Edge sold 879 new homes last year; while Providence sold 514.

"The economy has taken its toll on the homebuilding industry, particularly in the Southwest region, but this survey underscores that buying homes in great master plans holds strong appeal for those interested in the long-term value," said John A. Ritter, chairman and chief executive of Focus Property Group. "We're pleased that Mountain's Edge and Providence have performed relatively well during these tough economic times."

The survey noted that a key characteristic shared by strong selling master plans was a commitment to building environmentally friendly communities. Interviews held with top master plan performers indicated that sustainable features have become an important factor in driving traffic and sales to communities.

"Our communities all include numerous measures to ensure they are environmentally friendly and water smart, leading to 25 percent less water use than similar master plans, and this has resonated with homebuyers," Ritter told RCLCO representatives in a recent interview. "We have found that living in a community that respects the environment -- especially one that is water smart in our desert climate -- is something that's highly important to homebuyers and their families."

Focus Property Group works closely with its builder partners to create and actively promote green programs and amenities to benefit the community and attract interested buyers. Examples of these efforts include demonstration gardens, horticultural seminars and a landscape manual that details native plants in the community.

In addition to environmental sensitivity, the survey said that to stay competitive, successful communities need to offer affordable prices, be established and well-located near job centers and amenities and provide open spaces, pedestrian-oriented amenities, town centers and community gathering places.

The RCLCO survey identifies master-planned communities as large-scale developments featuring a wide range of housing prices and styles, an array of amenities and multiple nonresidential land uses, such as commercial, hotels and education facilities.

Additionally, the real estate advisory firm credits the competitiveness of the top-selling master plans with heavily themed communities that deliver a "way of life" with lifestyle programming to match it.

The theme of Mountain's Edge celebrates the rich history of Las Vegas, Ritter said. Adjacent to the community lies a portion of the Old Spanish Trail from which explorers first discovered the valley. All of the parks planned for Mountain's Edge are named in tribute of those explorers and others who first settled the area.

When fully developed, the community will have about 14,500 homes and has plans for four elementary schools -- two of which are already open -- two middle schools and a high school. The community is planned to have shopping centers, restaurants and commercial office space.

For residents interested in hikes and scenic walks, Exploration Peak is Nevada's first Mountain Park, with several trails that lead up to the top of 2,846-foot Exploration Peak. The series of hiking trails were designed for people of all ages, and include ramadas at two different stages to serves as a shady rest area for hikers and walkers.

Additionally, a series of paseos have been built to wind through the development, connecting residents and their neighborhoods with the community's parks and recreation areas, while integrating the existing desert-friendly landscape into trails that are designed to be easily navigable.

Homebuilders with actively selling subdivisions include: Amstar Homes, Beazer Homes, Engle Homes, KB Home, Meritage Homes, Pardee Homes, Phillips Homes, Pulte Homes, Ryland Homes, Toll Brothers, Warmington Homes Nevada and Woodside Homes.

For more information, visit the development's Home Search Café, located at the community's entrance on Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road, or visit mountainsedge.com. The Café is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or call 898-5777.

Providence celebrates the American Spirit, rooted in the traditions of small town America where neighborhoods bring people together in common goals and common interests, Ritter said. Wide tree-lined boulevards and formally planted landscapes through the promenade and parks visually reinforce the theme from every perspective, he said.

When completed, the community will include about 7,500 homes. The development is planned to have two community parks, one linear park, miles of trails systems, two elementary schools and one middle school, in addition to the existing high schools in the surrounding area.

Homebuilders include Beazer Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Meritage Homes, Pulte Homes, Ryland Homes, Toll Brothers and Woodside Homes.

For more information, visit the community's information center, which resembles an old-fashioned soda shop with wood siding and a wraparound porch from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or call 433-5084 or visit providencelv.com.

To learn more about Focus Property Group, visit focuspropertygroup.com.