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Condo construction under way south of Summerlin
Summerlin News
by: Christina Alberts
Green Valley resident Bob Ragan wasn’t considering moving into a condominium a few months ago, but once a friend started talking about the new project going up south of Summerlin, The Mercer, he started getting interested.
Ragan researched the developer, JDL Development Corp., a Chicago based company, looked at its construction projects in the Midwest, looked at the designs for the condos and decided to buy a 1,400-square-foot two-bedroom unit.
Eric Strain, the principal architect of Assemblage Studios, the architectural firm behind the project, said despite a real estate market in which condos are not selling well, he and his firm had no reservations about working on The Mercer.
Strain said a difference he saw between JDL and other developers he has worked with is the company’s commitment to making a unique and well made product.
“I think Vegas for too long has accepted what residential is, Tuscan, Mediterranean. This provides an alternative.” Strain said.
Assemblage used a modern aesthetic design that includes all stainless steel appliances, dark cabinets and slate floors in the bathroom.
The project broke ground in November at Tropicana Avenue and Grand Canyon Drive and now has sold about 60 percent of the 113units, according to JDL.
“I think once it starts being built (above ground) people will buy,” said Drew Gregory from the Assemblage firm.
The project will be completed in late fall or early winter of 2008, but purchased units will be ready for move in late Summer of 2008.
“I think the big difference between a condo and a house is the amenities you wouldn’t get living in a single family house,” Strain said.
Gregory and Strain said they think the outdoor courtyard — which has a pool, club house, exercise facility and room for outdoor yoga — will draw in potential buyers who might think the price of the condos is a little high.
The Mercer has one-and two-bedroom condos and three-bedroom duplex that range in price from $400,000 to more than $700,000. One-bedroom units are 800 square feet and three-bedroom units are 2,370 square feet.
Ragan said a major selling point for him was the solid construction and the privacy of the condos.
“Not to knock Vegas construction, but things are kind of slapped together.” Ragan said.
JDL uses solid floors in its design, Ragan said, which cuts down on noise and makes for a more solid building, he said. Ragan said he also liked that the buildings have an elevator for every six units, accessible only by the residents of the units.