Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Resort-style apartment complex opens in southwest
The Mercer Las Vegas
The principals of StoryBook Homes — Wayne and Catherine Laska — have opened The Mercer Las Vegas, the Laskas’ first resort-style apartment community in southwest Las Vegas. The 175-unit building will include one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as town homes and penthouse units. It is at the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Grand Canyon Drive.
It held its official grand opening April 5. The event raised more than $21,000 for the StoryBook Homes Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic, which addresses the unique medical, social and emotional needs of childhood cancer survivors. The clinic, operated by Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, is important to the Laska family as one of their children, Collin, is a childhood cancer survivor. The Laska family has pledged $500,000 in support of the StoryBook Homes Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic.
“When our son needed long-term follow-up services, they weren’t available locally. My wife, Catherine, had to seek out experts around the country to get help,” Wayne Laska said. “Knowing the strain this puts on families, Catherine and I vowed we would support the long-term follow-up clinic in Las Vegas now that it exists. We’re proud of the fact that all childhood cancer survivors have access to the clinic, including those without medical insurance and those unable to pay for treatment.”
The four-story facility’s units include upgraded features such as soft-close cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, quartz countertops and upgraded faucets. Many come with views of the Strip and desert mountains.
Amenities include a rooftop deck with barbecue areas; daily continental breakfast; community kitchen; gym; yoga room; massage room; theater; mail room and package acceptance center; pool and spa; and secured underground parking.
“This is truly a unique product that we are introducing to the Las Vegas community,” said Wayne Laska. “It was a very challenging project to build, but we believe you will love what we created.”
The Mercer Las Vegas location was once intended for a mid-rise condominium project in the late 2000s during the “Manhattanization” period of the city. The original project never materialized, and the lot sat abandoned for several years until Wayne and Catherine Laska developed it.
Summit Homes of Nevada and Presidio Residential Capital have acquired 6 acres at La Cienega Street and East Shelbourne Avenue, and they plan to build La Cienega Estates, offering 12 single-family detached homes starting in the $500,000s. The retail value of this community is expected to exceed $7.2 million.
“As employment continues to grow in Las Vegas, demand for quality housing is exceeding supply,” said Nathan White, division president for Summit Homes of Nevada.
“We can’t wait to get these beautiful homes built, and we don’t expect them to stay on the market for long. La Cienega Estates offers a rare opportunity in this dynamic market.”
La Cienega Estates will offer single-story homes in three floor plans, ranging from 3,094 to 3,754 square feet, on lots averaging 19,000 square feet. Open, flexible floor plans, which can accommodate up to six large bedrooms and up to four baths, include chef-inspired kitchens; flex spaces including dens, media rooms, offices and lofts; and three-car garages.
Located in south Las Vegas, La Cienega offers easy access to Interstate 15, the Strip and McCarran International Airport, as well as jobs, services and entertainment.
The community, expected to be open for sale in 2019, is Summit Homes of Nevada and Presidio Residential Capital’s 14th joint venture.
According to the National Association of Home Builders’ formula to determine the local impact of single-family housing in typical metro areas, adding 12 single-family homes will generate $12.3 million in local