On Saturday, nearly 1,000 people braved the blistering summer heat to attend the First Look Event for Phase 2 of the Skye Canyon master-planned community in the far northwest valley.
“We didn’t anticipate as many people to come out, especially due to the heat,” said Desiree Van Leer, a spokesperson for Skye Canyon, which is located near the U.S. 95 and Grand Teton Drive. “It exceeded our expectations and our homebuilders’ expectations.”
Another expectation exceeded: Van Leer says that Phase 1 is selling out faster than expected, which is why they are debuting Phase 2 now.
A steady stream of potential homebuyers — both serious and merely curious — weaved in and out of model homes, checking out amenities such as indoor-outdoor spaces, high ceilings, Energy Smart construction and walk-in showers.
Phase 2 will feature six neighborhoods spread over 213 acres, with walking trails, bike lanes and a two-acre park. Homebuilders on display include Pardee Homes, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes and Woodside Homes. Prices range from the mid-$200s to the mid-$400s, with approximate square footage from 1,470 to 3,386.
Adding to the pioneering energy, a Smith’s Marketplace, the first of its kind in Las Vegas, celebrated its grand opening last week at Skye Canyon Marketplace. A community charter school serving grades K-8 — Somerset Academy’s Skye Canyon campus — will start school Aug. 13.
As the economy has improved and more people have moved to Las Vegas, the available housing stock has plummeted, leading to a tight seller’s market. So to see model homes, construction sites and maps of empty lots engendered a celebratory vibe.
In the open kitchen of a Richmond American model home, a pair of young sisters got their faces painted by a balloon artist dressed as Wonder Woman. Their parents, Melissa and Chris Fuentes, came out because they’re interested in switching from a smaller two-story to a larger one-story home. They haven’t found a larger home at their price point, but they still might buy.
“They’re very nice, all of them look very good and we love this area,” Melissa said.
“Even though these are smaller than what we’ve got now, it still feels larger,” Chris said.
“We’re sick of the stairs,” Melissa added. “All of us have fallen down on them.”
Another home shopper, Shannon Gates, said that she is drawn to the Skye Canyon development because it is relatively remote. She says that her current neighborhood, while highly desirable, is getting more crime and unwanted traffic. “We want to get away from that,” Gates said. She likes Skye Canyon’s views, the variety of home plans and the decor, but is frustrated by the lack of parking spaces for campers.
Clintonia and Maurice Davis live in Henderson and are “window shopping” at the First Look Event. The couple moved here from Los Angeles a couple of years ago for the lower cost of living. “Why buy a house out there when you can almost get a mansion [here] for the same prices?” Clintonia said. Standing in the open living area of a Pardee model home, she said that the models are beautiful. “The kitchens are nice and very spacious. You can have a real nice party here.”