Summerlin, NV: Your Guide to a Master-Planned Community

inside house in Las vegas

A home for sale in the Summerlin’s The Summit Club.  

Las Vegas’s biggest open secret has little to do with the city’s  famous hotels, casinos, and clubs. In the last few decades, Las Vegas has become an enclave of ideal suburban communities, with incomparable views of the city and surrounded by the majesty of desert peaks and valleys. This is exactly what you’ll find in the master-planned community of Summerlin.

When business magnate and legendary recluse, Howard Hughes, purchased 25,000 acres of land in the barren rim of the Las Vegas Valley in 1952, he had no idea it would become a thriving enclave of residential villages with a population of more than 100,00.  

Today, Summerlin strikes the perfect balance between development and environmental protection, the original master-planned community that has withstood the test of time. It has remained dynamic, evolving, expanding, and keenly aware of the changing needs of its current communities and the new residents it hopes to attract.

If you want to put down roots in an ever-thriving community, Summerlin is the perfect choice for you and your family. 

An overview of Summerlin

summerlin nevada

Summerlin is located in Clark County and is often regarded as one of the best places to live in Nevada. It is one of the most-awarded communities in the state. In 2021 alone, it became the third most best-selling master-planned community in the United States.

So, what is a master-planned community? 

A master-planned community, or MPC, is a large-scale, mixed-use residential development that covers 2,500 acres or more. MPCs have also been referred to as new towns, neo-traditional communities, garden cities, and green towns.

MPCs function to combine residential and commercial properties into a single community. The community is often built by a single developer, accommodating between 100 and 50,000 houses along with structures suitable for businesses and other enterprises. Playgrounds, swimming pools, golf courses, parks, shops, and restaurants are just some of the amenities that you can find in a master-planned community. Bigger MPCs like Summerlin will even have their own schools. 

Sometimes, the developer will invite other builders to erect homes in different sections of the community. Though the structures might look diverse in terms of sizes and styles, a sense of cohesiveness still exists within the community as a whole.

A lot of MPCs are built near or around the edge of urban centers, so that residents can easily commute to the city while also enjoying a suburban lifestyle. Most if not all its amenities are exclusive to residents and their guests. Though many of these MPCs cater to retirees, there are some that also welcome families and professionals. 

Summerlin: A community developed from a big vision

How did Summerlin come to be? Robard Hughes Jr. originally intended to use the land he purchased back in 1952 to relocate his business. However, the relocation didn’t push through, and the land remained unused and dormant for three decades. 

In 1980, Summa Corporation, predecessor to The Howard Hughes Corporation, announced that the previously-unused land would be developed into an MPC named after Hughes’s  grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin.

It took another decade of development before Summerlin welcomed its first residents in 1991. Cal and Maria Champlin, along with their children, were the first family to move into The Hills Village. Today, Summerlin is composed of 26 villages or enclaves, each of which has their own neighborhoods or subdivisions. The Hills, for example, now has 13 neighborhoods. There can be as many as 26 neighborhoods in one village (The Arbors) or as few as one (Siena).

However, Summerlin remains in constant development. Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal on the occasion of Summerlin’s 30th anniversary, the master-planned community’s president, Kevin Orrock, said that in 2019, they opened seven new neighborhoods, closed six, and were actively selling in 35. Recently, Summerlin’s The Summit  opened another 57.8 acres for 28 custom-home sites. The enclave has attracted its share of celebrities.  Actor Mark Wahlberg spent a fortune on vacant land, paying the eye-watering sum of $15.6 million for 2.5 acres of residential land in The Summit in Summerlin just this July 2022.

So, what makes Summerlin so desirable?

Other than promising a uniquely vibrant lifestyle, the community is also known for its 200-mile Summerlin Trail System. This trail is ever-expanding, connecting  Summerlin’s neighborhood villages as well as the nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in the future.

For conceiving the ground-breaking trail system, The Howard Hughes Corporation received the American Trails Developer Award from American Trails back in 2008. It was the first private developer to be given the distinction. this recognition. As recently as 2020, Summerlin was named the Master-Planned Community of the Year by the National Association of Homebuilders during its annual meeting. It was also named the third best-selling MPC in the country in 2021 by real estate consulting firm RCLCO.

Throughout decades of development, Summerlin took proactive steps in protecting its surrounding natural environment, particularly the Red Rock Canyon. In 1988, through the Howard Hughes Corporation, Summerlin gave up more than 5,000 acres of land to create a buffer zone that protects the canyon and its scenic roads. They have also worked with federal and state governments, along with the tribal communities in Las Vegas, to safeguard the historic American Indian rock art found in the valley.

What to do in Summerlin

In a word: anything. Summerlin is the place where you can dine at the finest restaurants, stay at five-star hotels and resorts, run or bike along the scenic routes, watch the most exciting games, and even spend some quiet time practicing your swing at one of the many golf courses in the community.

If you want to check out the best dishes Summerlin has to offer, make sure to hit the following restaurants:

  • BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse 
  • Dave & Buster’s
  • Grape Street
  • Lazy Dog
  • Makers & Finders 
  • Maggiano’s
  • Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen
  • Public School 702
  • Red Robin
  • Sushi Loca
  • T-Bones at Red Rock Casino
  • Trattoria Reggiano
  • Vintner Grille
  • Wolfgang Puck Player’s Locker

You can also catch the latest games at the Las Vegas Ballpark, home to Las Vegas Aviators. Aficionados of ice sports can also try out ice skating or watch hockey leagues at City National Arena.

If you’re more interested in golf, here are the best golf courses in Summerlin to tee off:

  • Bear’s Best Las Vegas
  • Eagle Crest Golf Club
  • Highlands Falls Golf Club
  • Palm Valley Golf Club
  • Red Rock Country Club – The Arroyo Course
  • Siena Golf Club
  • TPC Las Vegas

Read more: A Guide to the Most Exclusive Las Vegas Golf Communities

A bird’s-eye view of Summerlin’s communities

summerlin las vegas

Summerlin is unique in the diversity of its neighborhoods. No two villages are the same, and you’re bound to find one that fits your interests, whether it’s golfing in The Canyons or shopping and dining in South Square. So take a quick look at the villages of Summerlin to find what suits your lifestyle.

How Summerlin is divided

Summerlin is divided into three associations, namely North, South, and West. These associations oversee over two dozen commercial and residential properties. Within these three associations are 22 communities dubbed as Villages. These villages also have their own neighborhoods and subdivisions, each one with distinct personalities and its own set of amenities.

These villages, in particular, stand out among others in Summerlin.

The Cliffs

As the name suggests, this village offers an expansive view of the Spring Mountains. The Cliffs is made of 11 neighborhoods and over 1,700 single and multi-family homes. Everywhere you go, you’ll get to appreciate the overlooking view of mountains, valleys, and stretches of protected land left untouched.

Homes in The Cliffs are designed to match its surroundings. In this village, homes are built in a rugged Contemporary style. Most have terraces with an uninterrupted view of the natural landscape.

Other than its contemporary homes, The Cliffs also boasts some of Summerlin’s top schools including the Faiss Middle School and the private college preparatory school, Bishop Gorman High School. Recreational establishments like the Faiss Community Park & Aquatic Center and the Wet’n’Wild Water Park are part of the village.

The Canyons

If you’re looking for a Summerlin village offering five-star luxuries, The Canyons is the place to be. This village has all the things you’re looking for in a luxury hotel: an expansive, 754-acre golf course, a world-class resort, and mouth-watering culinary experiences. Here, you’ll find single- and multi-family homes, along with custom homes, that reflect the splendor of the village.

Living in The Canyons dares you to redefine your idea of an opulent lifestyle. Apart from its impressive golf course, you’re also within walking distance to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, where you can relax, dine, and unwind to your heart’s content. If you’re itching for some shopping, you can explore the shops in Canyons Center and Covington Cross Center.

Stonebridge

Stonebridge offers residents magnificent nature views along with a sense of seclusion found in the suburbs. This is perfect for buyers looking for Summerlin, NV real estate that takes them away from the hustle and bustle of city living. Other than its suburban-like atmosphere, Stonebridge offers a wealth of outdoor recreational activities through its trails, parks, and paseo corridors.

This village lies in an area surrounded by chiseled mountains and crimson rocks.  Seclusion is Its main selling point, which is reflected in the architecture of its homes. Here, homes are designed around the theme of a village while also incorporating the colors and the textures of the surrounding Mojave Desert.

Redpoint/Redpoint Square

Redpoint and Redpoint Square are two different villages, but their concepts are quite similar. Redpoint, considered the key gateway to Summerlin West, is a collection of homes designed with a modern take on traditional Spanish architecture. Redpoint maximizes Summerlin’s distinctive pedestrian connections and features shaded street side trails.

Just north of Redpoint is Redpoint Square, a village that has a more contemporary vibe.  Its collection of single-family attached and detached homes all have an urban touch. The walkable areas of the village will soon lead to community parks and neighborhood services.

South Square

This village is a dream come true for shoppers and food enthusiasts. South Square is just a stone’s throw away from the 215 Beltway, the easiest and the most convenient way to get around the Las Vegas Valley. But you don’t need to drive all the way to downtown Las Vegas for shopping and dining; there are dozens of shops and restaurants in the village’s Gardens Plaza.

The Mesa

Have you ever dreamed of living in a house atop a mountain? You’ll get to do so at The Mesa, the southernmost village in Summerlin. The Mesa is known for its uniquely elevated topography offering  the best views of Spring Mountains and its surrounding areas. To blend in,  homes in The Mesa are designed in a Desert Contemporary architectural style.

Other villages on the rise

While Summerlin is already an expansive community of exclusive villages and neighborhoods, it continues to expand now and in the coming years. There are already listings available for future villages, which will soon be welcoming residents.

Among them is Kestrel and the nearby Kestrel Commons, two developing villages at the north of Summerlin West. These villages will have single-family attached and detached homes that will combine the sophistication of urban living with the intimacy of a suburban lifestyle.

Keep an eye out for further developments. One of them could be your future second home. 

Properties In Summerlin

white bungalow house

The 4-bedroom, 3,766-square-foot home at 3 Cross Ridge Street.  

While home prices in Summerlin rose compared to the same period in 2021, median prices have stabilized. As of August 2022, the median price of single-family homes was $565,800, with condos listing at  $269,140.  The selling price, however, was 6.9% higher than the average selling price in 2021. View the latest real estate numbers for Summerlin here.

What does a Summerlin home offer you? Take a look at these following properties and see for yourself.

564 Delta Rio Street

This 2,211 square-foot property, nestled in the gated community called The Vistas, boasts an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and tiled floors. Space is no issue in this four-bedroom, two-story home, as seen in its living room and its oversized primary bedroom. You’ll get to enjoy ample space with its walk-in closet and a bathroom with a separate tub and shower. Making meals for the family will also be an entirely different experience, thanks to the kitchen’s granite countertops and the kitchen island with a breakfast bar.

It’s also within minutes from downtown Summerlin and the best recreational establishments in the area, including Red Rock Casino, the Vegas Golden Knights City National Arena, and the Las Vegas Ballpark. You can also explore nature by walking or biking along the nearby Red Rock Canyon.

10303 Wood Plank Lane

“Leave it better than you found it” is how the seller would describe this 1,878 square-foot property. Since purchasing it back in 2019, the seller has included smart home features such as a smart garage door opener and nest thermostats. Located in Ashbury Park, the three-bedroom property has a secluded backyard with plenty of shade to give new owners their personal oasis within the city.

This single-family, two-story home has a total of eight rooms and two and a half bathrooms. The seller has also installed new cabinet hardware in the kitchen, a new microwave, and a low water use Kohler toilet. The property, which was built back in 2003, is now on the market for $530,000.

3 Cross Ridge Street

Where better to splurge than by making an offer to this 3,766-square-foot property in Summerlin?  This one-story property because it has all the space you need, and then some. Move in with your family into this four-bedroom home, get cozy near the fireplace and sitting area, and enjoy an afternoon swim in the oasis-style pool, complete with jumping areas and multiple waterfalls.

You’ll enjoy making meals for the family in the kitchen and be glad to find storage space in abundance. You’ll love some time for yourself at the casita, which includes a climate-controlled garage. You’ll even love working in the designated office space that has a door leading to the courtyard so you can step out whenever you need a quick break. This property is on the market for $1,765,000.

Be part of the finest master-planned community in Las Vegas

woman taking selfie in valley

Expansive views of nature, countless shopping and dining options, family-friendly communities, privacy, and an endless array of recreational activities – what’s not to like about Summerlin? This is the perfect opportunity for you to look at Summerlin, NV real estate properties and be part of one of the best master-planned communities in the country.

You’ll have no worries finding your next home in Summerlin. Just get in touch with me, Rebecca McKenna-Inman of RE/MAX Advantage. For the past 20 years,  I’ve helped more than a thousand families find the home of their dreams in and around the Las Vegas area.  My expertise, along with my hands-on approach, has helped my clients achieve their real estate goals. Let me help you find your ideal home in Summerlin. 

If you’re ready to start the journey to the next chapter of your life,  call 702.501.2322 or contact me here. Let’s make those dreams come true now.




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