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A DIFFERENT POINT OF VU // CHRISTOPHER HOMESChris Stuhmer doesn’t just design homes in Las Vegas. He designs communities. “Your experience is so much more than what’s inside your house or what it looks like from the street,” says the CEO and founder of Christopher Homes. “A lot of people don’t want to live in a traditional neighborhood.”

Stuhmer’s latest project takes that philosophy and pulls it in a brand new direction. Vu by

Christopher Homes is the first townhouse community in the luxury mountainside enclave of

MacDonald Highlands. The homes aren’t the largest in the guard-gated master-planned development, but

they’re among the most stylish — complementing each other with sleek modern exteriors, contemporary designs

and inventive use of functionality. The floor plans are open and spacious, merging effortlessly with balconies, courtyards,

patios and other outdoor spaces through large sliding doors and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Living up to the promise of the name, every residence takes advantage of the elevation and topography to soak in spectacular

views of not only Dragon Ridge Golf Course, but the Strip, Downtown and virtually every corner of the Las Vegas Valley. Some vantage points

are so high, they actually appear to be above jetliners beginning their descent toward McCarran International Airport.

The homes at Vu, which range from single-story dwellings to multi-level units with penthouses, are especially attractive to empty-nesters who are

downsizing to 2,800-4,600 square feet but want to retain a luxury lifestyle. The home designs also appeal to small families who seek unconventional living

spaces. “With millennials, it’s all about the experience,” says Stuhmer. “And simplicity in life is a much higher priority than it used to be.” Despite an appetite

for less overall space, homeowners aren’t ready to sacrifice size in “non-negotiables” like master bedrooms, closets and gourmet kitchens.

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“The kitchen is where everybody gathers, no matter what. It’s traditionally designed as a functional cooking space, but that’s not how people use it most of the time,” says Stuhmer. “They use it as an entertaining space you happen to cook in.”

Industry experts from around the country are taking notice. The National Association of Home Builders recently honored Vu with the prestigious Gold Award for Best Architectural Design of an Attached Community as well as the Silver Award for Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $500,000 to $700,000. The competition was stiff, with judges narrowing down winners from a field of more than 1,300 entries over a three-day period. Vu kept the momentum going by earning the best-in-class Gold Award for Best Townhome Community by the Best in American Living Awards.

The accolades reflect Stuhmer’s passion for excellence, which began at an early age. He grew up in the business doing trade work in the

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summer and helping his father build entry-level homes. After

studying architecture, the budding entrepreneur went into business

for himself in 1981 — starting big with custom homes in the Section 10

neighborhood west of the Strip.

As Christopher Homes grew as a company, it shifted focus to semi-custom

communities, which Stuhmer felt could hold greater advantages for a buyer. He relished

the opportunity to not only control the feel of a neighborhood but also invest in highly-skilled

professionals who could fine-tune every corner of a house on a luxury level. With all the pieces in place,

Christopher Homes would go on to create timeless communities like the Palisades, Vineyards, Country Club

Hills, The Enclave, Palm Valley Estates and Boulder Ridge in The Ridges.

“Palisades looks better today than when it opened,” says Stuhmer about the lush, tree-lined development. “We spend a

lot of time, energy, effort and money to make sure a neighborhood ages well.”

Future plans will continue to take shape in MacDonald Highlands, where Christopher Homes is already planning an expansion of Vu, a second

community of exclusively single-story homes and a collection of semi-custom detached homes between 4,000 and more than 6,000 square feet.

“MacDonald Highlands is a golf course community, but it’s nestled on the side of the mountain,” says Stuhmer. “It’s mature, and with that comes trees

and landscaping. The valley slopes in this direction and ten of the holes on the golf course are looking at that view. It’s also convenient. You’re 10 to 15 minutes

from the Strip or airport.”

Whether large or small, Christopher Homes has spent decades building homes that exceed expectations and outpace design trends. By offering new alternatives for the luxury homebuyer in MacDonald Highlands, Chris Stuhmer is continuing to build a legacy of excellence throughout the Las Vegas landscape.

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