Building Nevada - February 2004

Focus Property Group

Builds with Nevada’s History in Mind

by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida

Mountain’s Edge is a master-planned community with an Old-World feel. Located near the hillsides and mountain terrain at Rainbow Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road, the community will feature a number of walking and equestrian trails. More than 1,900 acres of land will be dedicated to approximately 12,500 residential development units in 71 subdivisions. The project’s master plan allows 670 acres for public facilities, including parks, schools, and a fire station.

"Nevada has a rich history and through Mountain’s Edge, we’re weaving the past with the present," said Ritter. "The entrance is a mountain park which we’re restoring to its native condition. The project will include hiking trails with historical tie-ins like petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and other artifacts, along with a ‘themed’ park for children, complete with an Old West area, a Native American section, and an archaeological ‘dig’."

The northwest project, Cliff’s Edge, is located at the I-215 Beltway and Hualapai Road. With miles of walking trails, bike paths and tree-lined roads, residents will have access to recreational amenities, neighborhood centers, and open community space. When complete, Cliff’s Edge will consist of approximately 8,000 single and multi-family units in 36 subdivisions. Models are scheduled to open in the summer of 2005.

"Cliff’s Edge marks a return to traditional Americana design," Ritter said. "The project’s centerpiece will be a wide, tree-lined boulevard which will connect the area’s schools and parks. One of the parks within the community will be themed with police and firefighter play equipment for children."

"Southern Nevada is a transient area and because of that, many residents are not aware of the area’s rich history, including its settlement by Native Americans. We’re seeing a push to establish our history and culture and in order to feel like a vital part of a community, residents need to understand its history. We’re trying to do that through our projects."

Focus Property Group is also developing a number of commercial projects in the valley, including the Centennial Crossroads Plaza, the Lone Mountain West Village Center, and a center at the entrance to the Aliente community. The Aliente retail center is being constructed at the I-215 Beltway and Decatur and will include a national discount retailer as well as shops featuring soft goods, sporting goods, and electronics. Other tenants will occupy pads in the balance of the approximate 410,000 gross square feet of leaseable space.

The Lone Mountain West Village Center will be located at the northwest corner of Cheyenne and the I-215 Beltway. The small retail center will feature a gasoline/convenience store, a drugstore, a tavern, fast food outlets, a bank, and other services. This project is scheduled to begin construction during 2004.

Focus Property Group built its own office headquarters, the Cliffs Professional Center, to showcase the company’s abilities. When complete, two identical two-story, 30,000 square foot buildings will be situated at the base of the mountains in the company’s Lone Mountain West master plan. The first phase of this project is complete, with the second phase slated to break ground in the second quarter of 2004.

In addition, Focus Property Group is preparing to enter the gaming industry by acquiring and zoning a 35-acre casino site that will consist of 90,000 square feet of casino gaming area and a 300-room hotel. The project is located at the I-215 Beltway and Interstate 15 in North Las Vegas.

Along with Ritter, the company’s key managers and consultants include the following: Andrew M. Flaherty, President, Focus Commercial Group; Calvin J. Champlin, AICP, President, Quadrant Planning; Larry W. Bross, P.E., Director of Development, Landtek; Mark L. Fine, President of Mark L. Fine & Associates; James E. Griffin, CFO, Focus Property Group; Thomas J. DeVore, Esq., General Counsel of Focus Property Group; Mark D. Teepen, Master Plan Construction Manager, Landtek; and David P. James, President, J.O.M.B.I. Development Company.