New residents come together at Siena

For 22 years, Suellen and Bob Levy called Salt Lake City home.

"I couldn't imagine anything that could convince me to move from Salt Lake City. However, while Bob was attending a meeting in Summerlin, he called and said I had to come take a look. On the second day here, we found Siena and the rest is history," Suellen Levy said.

The Levys, who have been at Siena for a little more than a year, say sales agent Bob Brandt convinced them to buy a home at the age-qualified community.

"Bob was a wonderful cheerleader for the community. When we drove through the guard gates I thought, `This is a nice community,' but it was Bob's enthusiasm for what was already here and what was to come that made us realize this was the place for us," Levy said.

The Levys selected the Verona Plan 8110, a 3,010-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath floor plan with an optional casita that they use as a home office.

"We love the openness of our house and the view from our master suite of the palm trees and the pool is just amazing," Levy said.

Having moved from out of state, the Levys sought to make new friends in their community.

"When we moved in there were only about 100 families living in the community. But Siena really goes to great lengths to offer opportunities for the residents to get to know each other," said Levy, who is a founding member of the Siena Welcome Committee.

The community sponsors a range of activities and clubs in which residents can meet one another.

"There is just so much here to do and everyone is so wonderful. You can do as much as you want or as little as you want. I feel like a kid at camp with everything there is to do here. I was never this tired when I worked," Levy said.

"I work out in the fitness center, take golf lessons, attend water aerobics classes, participate in almost all the tours, attend the parties and I am one of the founders of the community's book club."

The community features an 18-hole, par-72, daily-fee golf course. Although it is open to all ages, residents are given special rates and preferred tee times.

The 13,500-square-foot golf clubhouse is slated to open this spring. Situated to offer views of the skyline, it features a pro shop, fine dining, a grill with indoor and patio dining and a banquet room.

The community's 15,900-square-foot Tuscan-themed fitness center features an indoor swim pavilion, spa, exercise equipment, exercise rooms, private saunas and steam rooms, two-story windows overlooking the golf course, an outdoor pool and spa, and lighted tennis and bocce courts. Also in the building is a wellness center, beauty salon and day spa.

The social center houses a computer lab, billiards and card rooms, and a sewing center. A full-time activities manager works on-site, managing clubs and organizing activities.

Homes at the 665-acre community are priced from the $140,000s to the $650,000s. Six Italian-themed collections feature 18 single-story floor plans ranging from 1,040 to 3,100 square feet.

Each plan offers three exterior designs and a range of customizing opportunities, such as courtyard fireplaces and casitas. Interior designers can assist buyers with their selections.

The community also offers the Portofino Collection, a series of attached villas in four floor plans ranging from 1,040 to 1,378 square feet. Prices start from the $140,000s.

To visit, take Sahara Avenue or Interstate 215 to Town Center Drive, go south to Siena Monte Avenue and turn left. The sales center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunrise Colony Co. is also developing Red Rock Country Club in Summerlin.

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