MacDonald Ranch Real Estate
The MacDonald Ranch master-planned community is a favored place to live, carved into the beautiful McCullough Mountains foothills of Henderson, Nevada, in the southeast corner of the Las Vegas Valley.
This upscale private oasis is hidden from the road behind lush foliage and lavishly finished doors. It was created for those seeking an extravagant dream home. The custom homes in this community are part of the mountain while having stunning views of the Vegas Valley and mountain ranges.
This safe and upscale community always receives high ratings from residents, and is a must-see option for anyone seeking a home in Henderson. The master-planned community is made up of several smaller neighborhoods and subdivisions that offer a variety of different home types and lifestyles.
In the early 1970s, the MacDonald Family began buying property in the Las Vegas Valley. By 1977 they had become the third largest private landowners in the Valley, behind Howard Hughes and the Greenspuns.
MacDonald Ranch was a dream of developer Rich MacDonald. It sprawls across a 3,200-acre contiguous site between Eastern Avenue and Gibson Street. It was divided into four villages, which later became the communities we know today.
- Village I was sold to Del Webb and became Sun City MacDonald Ranch.
- Village II became Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch, developed as a mid-priced family community containing numerous top-level schools.
- Village III became MacDonald Highlands, a guard-gated luxury community housing the DragonRidge Golf Course.
- Village IV was sold and built out as The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch.
MacDonald Ranch Communities
MacDonald Ranch is home to a range of desirable community options, from guard-gated to family-friendly to age-restricted. These are:
- MacDonald Highlands
- Sun City MacDonald Ranch
- Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch
- The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch
- Roma Hills
These communities were made possible by Rich and Claire MacDonald, who received many awards for developing office parks and commercial centers in the area.
Unlike most developers, Rich MacDonald is very involved and still lives in MacDonald Highlands. He is always the first one to be aware of an issue and is quick to deal with them, believing on-site problem solving to be a benefit to all of his residents.
MacDonald Highlands
MacDonald Highlands is a premium guard-gated sub-community overlooking the valley. Featuring large, luxury homes and estates with countless celebrity residents, including famed nightclub DJ Steve Aoki. This neighborhood is built around the private DragonRidge Country Club and golf course.
DragonRidge Country Club is a breathtaking 18-hole championship golf course with an impressive clubhouse and event facility. It is surrounded by over 170 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Las Vegas skyline.
Designed by distinguished golf course architects Jay Morrish and David Druzisky, this course presents an innovative use of natural hillsides and canyons with a topography that features wide fairways, large greens and over 60,000 square feet of practice facilities. The course includes an all grass driving range, a short game area with two practice sand bunkers, and two bent grass putting greens.
Two popular onsite restaurants with eclectic seasonal menus feature both elegant and casual cuisine, with indoor and outdoor lounge areas, swimming pool, snack bar, and golf shop. The main ballroom and party venues boast some of the best city views in the valley.
MacDonald Highlands is a Gold Winner of the Best Master Planned Community category in the Las Vegas Review Journal’s Best of Las Vegas Awards for 2021, while the DragonRidge Country Club is a Bronze Winner in the Best Place to Get Married category.
Sun City MacDonald Ranch
Sun City MacDonald Ranch is a 55+ community with an estimated 2,500 single-family homes and villas spread across 564 acres in the upscale MacDonald Ranch master-planned community. This neighborhood is conveniently adjacent to the I-215 beltway, making it a short drive from popular destinations including the Harry Reid International Airport and the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
Sun City MacDonald Ranch is smaller and more intimate than Sun City Anthem or Sun City Summerlin, and this cozy feel is what draws many of its residents. However, the reduced size doesn’t mean a lack of amenities. The Homeowner’s Association is managed by a resident, seven-member Board of Directors who are elected by homeowners. The HOA board oversees the operation of all community facilities, including the community center, golf course, restaurant, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, and various neighborhood hiking trails.
At the heart of the community is the 36,000 square-foot Desert Willow Clubhouse, loaded with impressive amenities. This clubhouse is home to a fitness center, aerobics and dance studio, grand ballroom with a stage, several meeting rooms, hobby and craft studios, multi-purpose studio, a billiards room, and a library.
Outside the clubhouse is an outdoor lap pool and spa, three lighted tennis courts, and four bocce ball courts. If you prefer to explore, there are over nine miles of walking and biking trails that wind through Sun City and the surrounding MacDonald Ranch community.
Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch
Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch is a top-rated, family-friendly community with an exceptional number of world-class schools within a relatively small community. It is part of the Clark County School District, and zoned for CCSD’s top-rated STEM-focused Frank Lamping Elementary School, Glen Taylor Elementary School, Del Webb Middle School, and Coronado High School. Charter schools include the neighborhood’s own Coral Academy of Science Sandy Ridge Campus, the nearby Pinecrest Academy St. Rose, and Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon.
Private school options are also available, like the Henderson International School, Black Mountain Christian School, The Goddard School of Henderson, and Foothills Montessori School. The first new school for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas in almost 20 years is located at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church’s 22-acre campus on Sunridge Heights Blvd. It caters to students from Pre-K to 8th grade.
Sunridge Heights Parkway provides the perfect location for accessing neighboring amenities, or getting away from it all in the adjacent Sloan Canyon. Sunridge is close to restaurants, shopping, lush parks, and quality schools.
It is located just south of the I-215 freeway so residents can quickly and easily access the entire Las Vegas area. It’s around a 20-minute drive to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, and less than 10 miles to the Harry Reid International Airport.
Nearby shopping plazas include Sunridge Village Plaza, Diamond Summit Plaza, and Silverado Ranch Plaza. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, grocery stores and medical facilities in the area, especially along Horizon Ridge Parkway and the Eastern Avenue core.
The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch
The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch is a gated community between Sunridge and Sun City MacDonald Ranch, backing onto the McCullough Mountain range. Close to Green Valley, this neighborhood has convenient access to highways, parks, restaurants, and natural amenities for hiking and biking.
The Canyons feature gorgeous modern architecture and some of the most impressive views in the city, attracting superstar celebrity residents who want the best of all worlds.
MacDonald Ranch Shopping and Dining
MacDonald Ranch is close to restaurants, shopping, lush parks, and quality schools. Conveniently located just south of the I-215 freeway, residents can quickly and easily access the entire Las Vegas area. It’s a 20-minute drive to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, and less than 10 miles away from the Harry Reid International Airport.
The District at Green Valley Ranch outdoor shopping center and Galleria at Sunset indoor mall are also close by, as well as the larger Town Square Las Vegas and Las Vegas South Premium Outlets. A special night out can be had with world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment by taking a short drive to the Las Vegas Strip.
MacDonald Ranch Recreation
Residents of MacDonald Ranch have full access to enjoy the large Sunridge Park, an oasis in the desert featuring tennis courts, volleyball courts, baseball fields, multi-purpose fields, basketball courts, open grassy areas, picnic shelters with picnic tables, barbecues, a playground, and walking trails.
Additional neighborhood parks in the vicinity include Horizon Crest, Harmony Park, and the 53-acre Anthem Hills Park with Skatepark. The kids go here for the skateparks and roller hockey, but other amenities include ball fields, multi-purpose fields, basketball courts, open grassy areas, picnic shelters, barbecues, a playground, and walking trails.
Those looking for a different kind of vibe can visit the beautiful Sunridge Park. Sunridge Park is defined by its tranquility amidst the natural setting. It offers a serene atmosphere for those looking to relax, while still having enough amenities for those looking for a more active lifestyle. Sunridge Park has multi-purpose fields, open grass areas, and picnic tables for those looking for a place to chill. More active residents can enjoy the ball field, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts, and walking trails.
For a bigger outdoor experience, you’re just steps from Anthem East Trailhead, which leads to the impressive hiking and biking trails in the beautiful Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Lake Las Vegas and Lake Mead are less than 30 minutes to the east too, so you can spend a day boating, fishing, camping, or playing water sports. While you’re there, you can take a visit to the Hoover Dam or the historic Boulder City. In an equal distance to the west you’ll find the breathtaking Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area with revered hiking and mountain biking trails.
If golf is more your speed, there’s no shortage of championship golf courses in the neighborhood. Choose from MacDonald Ranch’s own Desert Willow Golf Course, Rio Secco Golf Club in Seven Hills, or the DragonRidge Golf and Country Club in MacDonald Highlands. All of these offer challenging courses with multiple types of terrains and incredible views of the Las Vegas Valley as you play.
Dulcie Crawford is a native Nevadan, born and raised in Las Vegas. Dulcie stays current with market conditions and keeps continuously updated on market trends, legal reforms and financing so she can assist you in making informed decisions. A senior Realtor with Signature Real Estate Group, she has sold over 1,200 homes since 1998. You are assured a professional experience when buying or selling Real Estate with The Dulcie Crawford Group.
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