Owner hires childhood friend to build Ascaya home

Blue Heron’s Tyler Jones and homeowner John Miller grew up in Las Vegas

When John and Jackie Miller decided to build their custom dream home, they had already checked off “select architectural designer” from their to-do list. They were certain the only choice could be John Miller’s childhood friend and co-founder of Blue Heron Design Build, Tyler Jones.

Both men were born and raised in Las Vegas. John Miller’s parents built a custom house near Eastern Avenue and Serene Road. “It was a quiet ride to school,” he recalled. “The first street light was at Tropicana when I was going (north) to St. Viator.” At the time, the area was so undeveloped, they cautioned visitors that “you’ve gone too far if you get to the three light poles” at what is now the mega-intersection of Eastern and St. Rose Parkway.

The Millers’ lot sale was the first in Henderson’s Ascaya in December 2014. They paid $915,000 for a lot sized approximately three-quarters of an acre. It is not far from the main community gate and has a stunning 270-degree view.

John Miller said he preferred not to go higher up the McCullough Mountain Range location because of the inconvenience of having a longer drive on the only access road in and out of Ascaya.

“Plus our lot is in close proximity to the community club house, now being built,” he said. “I think I got a good deal for what I bought. We really wanted a single-story home, so we needed a lot big enough to fit the square footage, and to still have a backyard was critical.”

They chose Henderson over the opposite side of town’s hottest luxury enclave, The Ridges, Miller explained, because “I identify with this side of town more, in that I like the mountain view as well as the Strip view. In The Ridges, you’re close to the mountains but you don’t get to see them from the same view. And I also like being close to the lake.”

The family of six includes four children ages 1 to 10. They enjoy their 28-foot Sea Ray kept at Lake Mead. Miller is on two out-of-state bank boards and was a founder of what is now Valley Bank. He owns Cast Wines in Dry Creek Valley in California’s Sonoma area, specializing in Italian varietal grapes.

Like all Blue Heron designs, the Millers’ bears the company’s “Vegas Contemporary” stamp. As of this writing, no homes have been completed yet in Ascaya, and theirs is in the early stages of construction.

Real Estate Millions was shown a virtual animation of the exterior finished home at various stages of the day. It thoroughly illustrated the climate changes to be experienced throughout the day, down to the reflection of the sun on the pool.

“It’s a great representation of modern with contemporary,

COURTESY OF BLUE HERON DESIGN BUILD Blue Heron Design Build is creating the Miller homer at Ascaya. It is expected to be completed in November.

DAVID REISMAN/REAL ESTATE MILLIONS Left, John Miller owns Cast Wines in Dry Creek Valley in California’s Sonoma area. He has been friends with Blue Heron Design Build co-founder Tyler Jones since childhood.