High-End Shops Come to Green Valley

Robin Leach, former host of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," now lives in southern Nevada, where money and lavish spending abound.

The setting seems appropriate for Mr. Leach considering high-end developments such as the ""Shops at Green Valley Ranch" are sprouting up all around him.

The new $80 million upscale entertainment complex by American Nevada Corp. covers 30.6-acres at Interstate 215 and Green Valley Parkway in Henderson. Plans call for the construction of seven buildings that combine for 406,260- sq.- ft.

advertisement

McCarthy Building Cos. is the general contractor.

The center contains 35 retail stores, five restaurants, and 88 loft apartments, plus 30,000 -sq. -ft. worth of Class "A" office space. The tropically landscaped site has 40 towering palm trees with surface parking for 1,400 vehicles.

The project is scheduled to open in mid-April. It houses such distinctive shops as Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn, plus a 22,500-sq.-ft. Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) store. It marks the first store in southern Nevada for the Seattle-based outdoors retailer.

The development will have a total of 143,260 sq. ft. of shops and 32,000 sq. ft. of restaurants, including a P.F. Chang's.

"The whole concept is a mixed-use urban project in a suburban neighborhood," said John Kilduff, president of Henderson-based American Nevada Corp. "The neighborhood and demographics are strong enough to support this type of a development."

The Shops are located in the 1,310-acre Green Valley Ranch master-planned community. About 175,455 people with an average annual household income of $83,430 live within a 5 mi. of the new development. An estimated 111,000 cars pass by the site every day.

Designed by Perlman Architects Inc., of Las Vegas, the buildings are clustered together into two contiguous rows divided by a "main street." Ranging from two to four stories tall, the steel and wood-framed structures each have distinctive façades clad in a combination of EIFS, stucco and glass.

The buildings are unique yet work in concert to create an "Old World" village atmosphere with narrow alleyways, broad storefronts and wrought iron balconies.

"The idea is to create an environment with a sense of place," said Howard Perlman, president of Perlman Architects. "We wanted to create a fun mixture of buildings that don't appear planned or monotonous. We wanted individuality."

The luxury apartments are housed in a four-story, 65-ft.-high building - the project's tallest - which offers sweeping views of the Las Vegas Valley. Inside, the residences feature granite countertops, custom millwork, and travertine tile.

There is also secured underground parking for 150 vehicles, plus concierge service, library and fitness center.

"The newest trend in retail is a 'main street' or 'lifestyle center' concept," Perlman said.
"Essentially, it takes big-name retailers typically found in an enclosed strip mall setting and brings them into an open-air market."

A tree-lined main street, envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, unifies the project site, serving as its central focal point. The streetscape has planters, gas lamps, stamped colored concrete, and a sound system.

"The biggest challenge has been meeting the speed of the construction schedule while coordinating tenant needs," said Justin Dent, McCarthy's project manager.

More than 450 workers will have been onsite during the height of construction activity Dent said.

The 16-month undertaking requires 690 truckloads of concrete and 400 tons of steel to complete.