Henderson Sustainable Senior Housing Complex Breaks Ground

College Villas recently broke ground in Henderson after struggling for nearly two years to attain financing during a recession. The $12.75 million, 226-unit senior apartment complex is being developed by Joe DeSimone, owner of First Federal Realty DeSimone, and state Senator Michael Schneider, a Democrat representing Clark County District 11. The four-story, 190,000-sq-ft complex is designed by assemblageSTUDIO.

The 48-ft-tall building, on five acres, consists of age restricted residences from 650 sq ft to 840 sq ft. The building design uses natural elements to lower overhead home costs, thereby creating a sustainable residential neighborhood.

"We approached it with simple desert principles," assemblageSTUDIO President 

Eric Strain said. "The design tries to create a modern comfortable habitat that works with the environment."

The building uses cross-ventilation cooling and large plate-glass windows that carry sunlight indoors. And there are 15,000 sq ft of roof-mounted solar panels that will generate 42.3-kW of photovoltaic power to offset electrical expenses.

The wood-framed building is sheathed in stucco and glass, accented by metal panels and oversized louvers. The complex has a series of outdoor courtyards set amid drought-tolerant trees, flowers and shrubs for a vibrant green backdrop. There are concrete benches, gardening areas and slat-metal canopies. College Villas, at 511 College Drive, is scheduled to be completed in March 2012.

"Nevada's senior population will exceed 500,000 by 2020, which is 61 percent higher than today," DeSimone said. "There's tremendous pent-up demand for affordable one-bedroom senior apartments in Henderson."