Known for its unique and famous skyline and beautiful, majestic mountains, Las Vegas will soon become known for another element in the sky. Over the past year, the city has become seeped in high-rise condominium development projects. Residents and out-of-towners alike are lining up to take part in this latest Las Vegas trend.

Just as Las Vegas sets standards for the best in resorts and entertainment worldwide, it is also setting standards for unique high-rise living in the southwest. With plans currently in development for more than 80 mid-rise and high-rise condominiums for the Las Vegas Strip area alone, Las Vegas is well on its way to becoming the high-rise mecca of the Southwest.

While many of these high-rises and condominiums have yet to see final completion, they are some of hottest selling properties in an already booming housing market. Fueling the trend are retiring baby boomers seeking homes in warmer climates with little or no taxes. Other buyers include young urban professionals who prefer the convenience of low maintenance living and who want to live and work close to the heart of the city.

Many of these units are high density, mixed-use projects that will include many of the local services that can be found in neighborhood communities. Many projects feature office and residential space and studio and entertainment facilities sitting atop ground-floor retail centers.

Outstanding amenities are another attraction. Many projects include a host of amenities that appeal to the target markets, including: 24-hour doormen and valet, clubhouses, meeting rooms, business centers, theaters, lounge areas, cafés, private libraries, fitness centers, on-site dry cleaning, pools and spas.

One of Las Vegas’ first high-rise developments, Turnberry Place, located at Paradise Road and Karen Avenue, is a great example of an amenity-rich Las Vegas high-rise. Each tower features a fitness facility, outdoor pool with sundeck, lavish landscaping, tennis courts, valet, 24-hour security and much more. Prices range from $500,000 to more than $1.3 million.

Turnberry Place paved the way for high-rise living in Las Vegas and has recently completed sales on its fourth and final 40-story tower, ending its five-year sales run of new high-rise condominiums.

Another facet of the recent "condo craze" is the concept development of the "condo hotel." Catering to a sophisticated crowd, these projects offer lavishly furnished units, onsite leasing agents and nightly rentals tied to the local casinos. When the owner is not in residence, the units are maintained and leased out to hotel guests by a property management company on behalf of the owner.

These properties are in such hot demand that many projects are sold out before ground has even broken. Cosmopolitan, Aqua Blue, the Residences at MGM Grand and the Platinum are great examples of this new trend.

While high-rise living isn't for everybody - some people always prefer to live in houses with their own backyards – the convenience and allure of high-rise living is becoming an attractive option for many Las Vegas homebuyers.

In the Works

Following is a description of some of the high-rise projects currently in development:

—Juhl

Recently approved by the city council, this project will host 342 residential units to be constructed in two phases over the next four years. Juhl will be located in downtown Las Vegas on East Bonneville Street, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. 

The Juhl towers, being developed by City Mark Development, will rise to 15 stories. Juhl is being designed by award-winning architects Martinez and Cutri. Lofts range in size from 584 to 1,728 square feet. Juhl has approximately 341 units available for sale. Preconstruction pricing ranges from the the low $200s to $500s. Penthouses are also available.  

—Allure Towers

Located at the corner of Sahara and Fairfield, these twin 40-story, 400-unit luxury high-rise apartment towers are setting a new hallmark in the city. Parking will accomodate 1,200 vehicles. The project features interior floor-to-ceiling glass walls and private balconies that merge interior and exterior space.

Priced from the $300s to $4 million, homes at Allure Las Vegas feature 15 distinct open floor plans with a choice of studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes. Properties range in size from 671 to 4,400 square feet, with most averaging 1,168 square feet.

Some amenities include:

• 24-hour doorman, valet &

concierge service

• Club room with catering kitchen

• State-of-the-art fitness facility with

individual wellness programs and

private exercise room

• Business center with Wi-Fi

• Private library

• Media room with conference

facilities

• Professional on-site management

• Dry cleaner

• Access to a private, residents-only

wine cellar

• Five controlled-access high-speed

elevators

• Parking spaces allocated per

floor plan

Allure is being developed by Steven Fifield of The Fifield Companies, a leading Chicago-based real estate development firm producing luxury urban high-rise condominium residences and office towers.

—Newport Lofts

A 23-story facility, this complex will contain 168 units ranging in size from 900 to 3,000 square feet. Located at the corner of Casino Center and Hoover in the thriving Arts District, this eclectic downtown neighborhood is home to shops, restaurants, galleries and other unique businesses.

Newport features loft-style floorplans and two-story penthouse suites. Prices range from the $300s to $900s. Amenities include rooftop swimming pool and spa, running track and fitness center and a clubhouse and movie room, all with city views. The property also features a Skyroom Clubhouse with billiards and a lounge area.

Newport Lofts is a joint venture between Newport Beach, California-based Seegmiller, whose principals are West and Clark Seegmiller, and Sam Cherry, developer of the nearby SoHo Lofts. The ground floor will include mixed-use retail, six stories of enclosed parking space and a 24-hour doorman. The project is scheduled to break ground in late May with an anticipated completion date of fall, 2006.

—Liberty Towers

Inspired by the Art Deco era of Old Vegas, Liberty Towers will feature smooth clean lines and contemporary décor.

This 134-unit high-rise condo project at 1801 South Las Vegas Blvd. was created by Australian developers Victor Altomare and Joseph Di Mauro, who are noted for the exceptional quality and high-end finishes of their works. The property will have its own café and onsite bistro, fitness center and a pool and spa overlooking the city. Other features include a theater room, lights, business meeting room, secured parking area and on-site concierge.

Liberty Towers features Vegas skyline views from every window and balcony. Each residence has allocated security parking, den and separate storage room.   

Other amenities include:  

• Fitness center with state-of-the-art

equipment

• Rooftop pool and spa

• Secure lobby with key-card access

and closed-circuit TV

• Live-in concierge

• Lobby meeting room, reception

desk and business meeting room

• Five-level parking garage with key-

card and elevator access

• Theater, game room and lounge

—L’Octaine

L’Octaine urban apartments is a 51-unit, multi-family affordable housing project located on Las Vegas Boulevard at Gass in the heart of downtown. Rent for the unfurnished units begin at $571 per month.

Amenities include views, balconies and loft spaces; spa, workout room and access-controlled parking garage; on-site resident laundry, garden patios and tub/shower in bath; full-size energy star-rated kitchen including refrigerator, microwave, garbage disposal, electric range and oven; ceiling fan, air conditioning and heating.

—Club Renaissance

Located at the southeast corner of Casino Center and Bonneville, this 750-foot tower will consist of 950 residential units. Constructed by Downtown Development Group, LLC, Club Renaissance is within walking distance of downtown casinos and municipal offices. Amenity highlights include a country-club lifestyle, swimming pools, tennis courts and membership in the elite Angel Park Golf Club, which is less than 10 miles away.

Other amenities include:

• Rooftop tennis courts

• Outdoor swimming pool and spa

• Fitness center and spa

• Putting greens and virtual golf play area

• Multimedia screening rooms

• Billiards room and smoking lounge

• Valet parking

—Sandhurst Las Vegas

Sandhurst Las Vegas is a gated, luxury residential tower with traditional apartments, lofts and penthouses. Situated on 3.2 landscaped acres, Sandhurst residences have ceiling heights from 10’ to 20’ with 360-degree, unobstructed views of mountains, the Strip and downtown. Every unit has its own terrace. Amenities include: a world-class spa, health club, restaurant, dry cleaner and parking.

Sandhurst is geared toward professional people working in Las Vegas, those seeking a second home or for businesses in need of temporary residences for their executives. This 35-story luxury high-rise has 413 units priced in the low $300s to $2 million. Penthouse sky loft duplexes are also available.

Sandhurst is conveniently located in the southern part of downtown Las Vegas, adjacent to the Clark County Government Center, the Premium Outlets and the World Market. Sandhurst Las Vegas is being developed by Sandhurst Development, LLC.

—Soho Lofts

Soho Lofts, located at Las Vegas Boulevard and Hoover, is a 16-story, 225-tower with 120 units, including eight penthouse suites. Seventy percent of the ground floor will contain retail shops and restaurants.

Soho offers seven different floorplans ranging in size from 1,336 to 1,855 square feet. Residents have the option of converting part of the loft into bedroom or office space. The lofts are perfect for working artists or for those in search of a cosmopolitan living area that reflects the open expanses of this growing city.

Soho Lofts is situated near downtown Las Vegas, and the famed Las Vegas Strip. The property offers easy access to U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 15.

Amenities include:

• Views of the city, mountains and

Las Vegas Strip

• Rooftop pool

• Spa and sauna

• State-of-the-art fitness center

• Five-story parking garage

Modeled after New York’s artsy SoHo district, prices start in the high $400.

—Streamline Tower

Downtown Las Vegas is currently undergoing a major urban renaissance. Redevelopment of the "Old Strip" along Fremont Street is transforming into a San Diego-style, "Gas Light" district. Once complete, this hot-ticket property will include a 22-story tower with 251 residential units.

Other downtown redevelopment plans call for a retro Las Vegas atmosphere with several distinct neighborhoods including an arts district, an entertainment district, a casino district, the Las Vegas Academy performing arts district and an office district. The area is also home to the 12 million-square-foot World Market Center and the Premium Outlet Mall, which contains more than 120 shops and restaurants.

Streamline Towers will feature live jazz venues, taverns, cafés, nightclubs and boutiques. The units will feature private balconies and 10—12 foot ceilings, as well as a rooftop pool, spa and terrace with Strip views. Other amenities include a fitness center, a 16th floor clubhouse and 11,000 square feet of neighborhood retail space. Retailers will include hairdressers, dry cleaners, mail facilities and boutique coffee shops. Private secured parking and 24-hour concierge service is also provided.

Prices range from $425,000 – $1,100,000 and condos range in size from 756 square feet to 1,889 square feet. The project is due to be completed at the beginning of 2007.