Desert Contemporary Estate Available In Las Vegas

Entertainment Takes Center Stage In Home That Blends Indoor And Outdoor Desert Living

LAS VEGAS—What happens when two of the world’s most renowned resort architects put their minds together to build their own home? A stylish-and very efficient-oasis emerges. J2, located in The Ridges atop Las Vegas’ west valley, was built with an amazing attention to detail by owners Jon Sparer and John Klai in Summerlin, Nevada.

The 13,255 estate was designed thoughtfully and with some of the world’s top resort stylings in mind. In addition to Klai and Sparer, architect Eric Strain, CLEO Design and JOB Builders spent nine years meeting weekly to design, build and furnish this architectural labor of love. “We thought about every single drawer in the home,” said Sparer. “John and I have both designed some of the world’s top luxury resorts and are very attuned to how things work. From the back of the house to the front, every element was thoughtfully planned.”

J2, named after its owners, includes fantastically bold elements alongside thoughtfully subtle nuances. From a zinc-covered wing structure above the home to the owners’ “Slits & Slots” theme, every element in this exquisite estate has been part of a masterfully designed plan.

J2 includes five bedrooms, nine baths, a commercial style kitchen and a 5,700 square foot below-ground entertainment level which is one of the home’s most unique features. “Overall, it is a desert contemporary style home that feels both contemporary and very warm,” said Sparer. “It was built with entertaining and comfort in mind.”

While J2’s theme, “Slits and Slots” sounds very Las Vegas, this is one property that highlights the city’s natural beauty more than the glitz of the famed Las Vegas Strip. All doors are custom teak wood with slits of glass. The front of the home is covered in zinc and copper slits are showcased in the floors.

From the massive wood doors to a wing-shaped roof shade, there are many bold and larger than life elements that complement the owner’s love of nature with panoramic views from nearly every room in the home. Indoors and outdoors are seamless in transition with multiple outdoor showers and water features, along with indoor-outdoor entertaining areas.

This tri-level home and surrounding estate has a green focus within its architectural design and is surprisingly energy efficient. But you wouldn’t expect anything less from Sparer and Klai. Floor to ceiling glass walls are shaded most of the year and “in the summer, sun never touches the glass,” said Sparer. The underside of the unique roof wing is covered in zinc panels and the top of the wing is covered in solar panels.

“We were consistent with five design materials throughout the home,” said Sparer. A primary material is rammed earth, used in the home’s main walls. One of the largest elements on J2’s main floor is a 140 foot long rammed earth wall that is 22 feet tall and three feet thick. “Rammed earth is an old adobe technology and very efficient in desert building,” said Sparer. The wall is a major structural part of the home and is never penetrated by the heat of the sun, which makes it highly energy efficient.

In addition to the natural material of rammed earth, J2 uses glass, zinc, steel, and concrete as major building materials. The floor is a custom concrete tile with glass chips.  Wood used throughout the home includes teak and Ipe wood. All decks and the basement are Ipe wood, which Sparer said handles the desert heat well. It is the same type of wood used at the TI (formerly Treasure Island) around the Sirens of TI pirate show that millions of Las Vegas tourists have walked upon.

All of the glass windows in J2 are tinted UV Low-E glass. They are insulated and strategically placed to take advantage of the views of the mountains, golf course, desert and city views.

J2’s landscaping was designed to attract hummingbirds, which Sparer lovingly cares for, along with the property’s stunning desert landscaping. The couple regularly sees quail, roadrunners, rabbits and hummingbirds on the property.

J2’s entertainment level is a nearly 6,000 square foot play area for Sparer and Klai, along with their many friends. Basements are rare in Southern Nevada, especially of this magnitude. The entertainment level took a year to build and was clearly worth the wait for such a unique living space. Guests can access the space via the three and a half inch solid maple stairs or elevator, whose three floor options are SLEEP, EAT and PLAY.

J2’s entertainment level is anchored by an enormous maple tree bar from an artist in New York, as well as a two-lane bowling center. The movie theatre is open to the main entertainment area but can also be closed off. The entertainment areas are joined by a spa, fitness room and even a massage table that converts into a manicure/pedicure station. “The entertainment level is a luxurious play area and we enjoy having both small and large parties with friends and family,” said Sparer.

This floor also features J2’s custom wine room. The glass room showcases up to 2,000 bottles of wine and includes custom-made refrigerator units, an inventory system and a custom-made wine glass chandelier.

J2 features vignettes throughout for both intimate and large group gatherings. The couple recently hosted a charity event with more than 400 guests that included seven food stations hosted by top chefs from the Las Vegas Strip. “There are so many places for people to relax and socialize, both indoors and out, that no matter what the size of the party everyone will be comfortable,” said Sparer.

On the main floor of J2, the commercial style kitchen takes center stage with two Wolfe cooktops and grills, three Miele ovens, Miele Steamer, Miele Speed Oven, two Miele Dishwashers, custom Arclinea stainless steel glass exhaust hood, private service kitchen, moving ladders for ease of access to even the highest shelves and ample cabinetry with teak and stainless steel. Designed for entertaining including a dumbwaiter to the lower level, the kitchen is a beautiful place to entertain.

“The house is designed with Thanksgiving in mind, as it is our favorite holiday to get together with loved ones,” said Sparer. “We can have 12-14 people in the kitchen comfortably drinking wine and socializing while we cook and entertain.”

Guests of J2 will luxuriate in one of many uniquely designed spaces, including a “Tree House” with full height Torrance French doors and a full view of the Las Vegas Strip. A second guest quarters includes its own private patio area. Two other guest quarters include their own private patio areas.

Fire is an element of beauty at J2. A centerpiece of the main floor is a large custom fireplace and the home includes seven unique fire features both indoors and outdoors.

This desert escape also includes many unique water features. In addition to the zero-edge pool and zero-edge spa with a play deck entry, an oversized casita opens to the pool, spa and courtyard with a fire feature and two private patios. The courtyard also includes a full outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven, U-line refrigerator and freezer and Wolf BBQ and warming drawers. Several unique outdoor showers are both private and open to views of the desert and city. And J2’s fitness center includes a Vichy “wet” spa, a steam room, heated floors, a manicure station, Japanese soaking tub and outdoor shower.

J2 is listed for $18 million by Jill Lorenz, GRI, ABR of Berkshire Hathaway Americana Group in Las Vegas. The property is located at 7 Sable Ridge in The Ridges. For more information or a private tour, call 702-338-9833 or email jilllorenz@cox.net.

Americana Holdings, which includes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties, is the fourth largest BHHS Real Estate franchise in the country. Combined, this award-winning company has 21 offices and nearly 2,000 real estate sales executives. It is home to some of the country’s top-selling real estate professionals and has been recognized by JD Power and Associates multiple times for its commitment to customer service.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group was ranked #26 in RIS Media’s 24^th Annual Power Broker Survey of the country’s top 300 real estate companies http://remag.rismedia.com/t/14873.

In 2012 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group was named a “Best Place To Work” in Southern Nevada and was included in the prestigious Inc. 5000 listing of America’s top private companies. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group also houses a fully accredited real estate school with free Continuing Education classes every month.

Through its real estate brands, BHHS Real Estate has nearly 80,000 real estate professionals in more than 2,800 locations across North America. Its global footprint spans North America, the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore, India, Brazil and Australia, and includes more than 2,500 employees worldwide.