Summerlin celebrates milestones in past year

2012 was an extremely good year for Summerlin, according to Kevin Orrock, president of Summerlin and executive vice president of master-planned communities for The Howard Hughes Corp.

"We exceeded expectations on all fronts," he said. "And we're well positioned for 2013."

Home sales in 2012 more than doubled from 2011 and more than $4 million was generated from custom lot sales in The Ridges, Summerlin's most exclusive village at the base of the Spring Mountains.

Also, several land parcels were sold to homebuyers including Lennar, Woodside Homes, Toll Brothers and KB Home - all of which are scheduled to open new neighborhoods in 2013.

In September, The Howard Hughes Corp. announced construction activity would resume on The Shops at Summerlin, the 1.5-million-square-foot regional retail center in Summerlin Centre.

The center, scheduled for a late 2014 opening, will house more than 125 shops with multiple anchor tenants including Macy's and Dillard's.

Wet 'n Wild Las Vegas is making its new home in Summerlin. The project, which was announced in October, features 25 slides and attractions on a 41-acre site in Summerlin South. A May 2013 opening is planned.

Also, in October, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center celebrated its 15-year anniversary.

"Having a medical facility in our community is truly something to brag about, especially since Summerlin is the only master plan in Southern Nevada with its own hospital," said Tom Warden, senior vice president of community and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp. "Summerlin Hospital Medical Center has grown with us over the years, completing expansion after expansion to keep up with community needs. We're grateful for the ongoing, quality care the hospital provides our residents."

2012 was also full of social, recreational and cultural events. April proved to be a popular month for recreational events with the Summerlin Half Marathon and Tour de Summerlin. Summerlin Kids Mix, an outdoor family fun festival, was held in May. The annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade attracted more than 40,000 attendees in July. And the popular two-day Summerlin Art Festival was held in October.

Besides these public events, thousands enjoyed events and activities coordinated exclusively for Summerlin residents by The Summerlin Council, the community's nonprofit association that functions like a municipal parks and recreation department.

The council coordinates sports leagues, summer camps and a long list of seasonal celebrations including an egg hunt, Summerlin Pumpkin Festival and Hometown Holidays.

"There's no shortage of activity in Summerlin," Orrock said. "It was a great year and we anticipate 2013 to be equally, if not more, exciting."

Summerlin, developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., began to take shape in 1990. It has ranked in the country's top 10 best-selling master-planned communities for nearly two decades.

Summerlin, which is along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, encompasses 22,500 acres with about 6,600 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan.

The community is now home to more than 100,000 residents.

Amenities include more than 150 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin Trail System, 26 public and private schools, 14 houses of worship, nine golf courses, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities and business parks.

The community has more than three dozen actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles - from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts - priced from the $200,000s to more than $1 million.

Custom home sites in The Ridges are priced from the high $200,000s.

Luxury apartment homes offer monthly rents starting from the $800s.

Visit www.summerlin.com for more information.