Building in progress for Wyndham time share

Martin-Harris Construction is building the first phase of Desert Blue, a 19-story, 281-room time share project by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts on Twain Avenue, west of Interstate 15.

It will be Wyndham's flagship time share property with one- and two-bedroom units and Presidential Suites. Amenities include a lobby, outdoor pools, fountains and spas.

The initial phase is scheduled for completion in early 2010. Two more high-end towers are planned for the 14-acre site north of the Rio hotel.

A seven-story parking structure with 1,100 spaces is under construction. Concrete has been poured for tension decks and steel is in place to proceed with a unique exterior of "panelized skin," Martin-Harris project manager Brian Schmidt said.

Florida-based Wyndham operates more than 145 vacation ownership resorts, including three WorldMark brands (formerly TrendWest) in Las Vegas.

COLLEGE BUILDING: Core Construction completed the first permanent building for Nevada State College at 1021 E. Paradise Hills Drive in Henderson.

It was first planned as a liberal arts building, but will now accommodate general education and student services with laboratories and multiple classrooms.

Core built the two-story, 42,000-square-foot facility from the ground up starting in May 2007. The contract from Nevada State Public Works Board was for $13.3 million. Carpenter Sellers Architects is the architect of record.

NEW CONTRACTOR: Gemstone Development changed general contractors on its ManhattanWest condo project near Russell Road and the Beltway.

Camco Pacific Construction has replaced UPA and will complete the first phase of the $350 million mixed-use project. Gemstone Chief Executive Officer Alex Edelstein said the change was made for "performance" reasons.

The 20-acre project will have 700 condo units along with offices, restaurants and shops.

Edelstein said he's on track to complete the Union Square commercial plaza in the fall. The midrise residential buildings are about 80 percent finished and the nine-story Element House residential tower is about 70 percent finished, he said.

APARTMENT VACANCY: Spencer Ballif of CB Richard Ellis brokerage reported 8.35 percent apartment vacancy for Las Vegas in August, down from 8.44 percent in July. Class "A" apartment vacancy was 7.19 percent for 30,926 units reporting; class "B" vacancy was 8.70 percent for 43,423 units reporting; and class "C" vacancy was 9.16 percent for 25,882 units reporting.

HOUSING UPTICK: Southern Nevada's housing market showed encouraging signs of recovery in August, Robin Yates of Windermere Real Estate said.

Of the 5,627 new listings in August, about 42 percent, or 2,365, were foreclosures. Bank-owned properties represented 68 percent, or 1,982, closings in August, according to Windermere.

The uptick in foreclosure sales is a sign that home buyers are seeing the "silver lining" in the housing market and it shows banks are more willing to cut deals for qualified buyers, Yates said.

RETAIL CENTER: Nigro Construction completed two design-build projects at Park Central Plaza on Losee Road in North Las Vegas. The first was a 6,600-square-foot Timbers Bar and Grill at a cost of $1.6 million; the second was a 6,000-square-foot Checker Auto store for $1.7 million.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Las Vegas-based JVC Architects and general contractor Crete Construction have completed a 2,550-square-foot multipurpose lunchroom at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 1111 Michael Way. The $425,000 project has roll-up doors that open to the playground and bring natural sunlight into the room, architect Jim Van Compernolle said. Students currently eat lunch under a covered canopy area.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.