Couple trades East Coast home for One Las Vegas condo

Sharon and Bruce Gillespie lived in Reboboth Beach, Del., for a decade, but have been coming to Las Vegas for nearly double that time. They fell in love with the city and visited so frequently that getting a place of their own seemed like a logical next step. So in 2009, they said farewell to the hassle of staying in hotels and invested in a two-bedroom condominium at One Las Vegas, which has ultimately evolved into their full-time residence.

"We did extensive research and looked at other communities, including Summerlin and Lake Las Vegas," Sharon Gillespie said. "We kept gravitating back to One Las Vegas because of its competitive pricing, central location and accessibility to dining, shopping and outdoor attractions such as Red Rock Canyon National (Conservation Area). In 2009, the home market crashed, which was bad for everyone in Las Vegas, but it turned out to be a really good thing for us."

The Gillespies' second home gave the couple more reasons to visit, particularly during the winter months when temperatures back East dropped below freezing. The milder temperatures in Las Vegas were so pleasant that one winter a couple of years ago, Bruce stayed in Vegas for three weeks, and Sharon remained for three months.

"We visited earlier this year and, two days into our trip, One Las Vegas announced its plan to put (its) condos back on the market after a hiatus created by the recent recession," Sharon said. "We immediately went downstairs, scheduled an appointment and, shortly after, we were signing papers for a three-bedroom home on the 18th floor. In April, we sold our Delaware home, got in our car with our beloved Labrador (retriever), drove to Las Vegas and never looked back."

Settling comfortably into their new home, Bruce works remotely from his home office, where he enjoys city views while managing IT responsibilities for a Virginia-based technology company. Sharon recently retired from her company of nearly 30 years. The couple has two grown children, one of whom works as a chef in Delaware.

"Our hope is that our son, Sean, finds his way to Las Vegas," Sharon said. "With this city's remarkable dining scene, it would be wonderful to have him get more experience as a chef amongst so many other talented culinary icons."

Sharon and Bruce especially appreciate access to many onsite amenities without the headache of maintaining them — including a swimming pool, theater room and fitness center.

"We live in the perfect location because there is a pharmacy, grocery store and a Starbucks right across the street," said Bruce, a coffee aficionado. "Town Square is just down the street, and the on-property security and staff go out of their way to make One Las Vegas an enjoyable, friendly and comfortable place to live."

Of the twin 20-story towers, DK Las Vegas purchased 295 of the project's 359 residences. Homes range from 831 to 2,857 square feet with many floor plans offering spectacular views of the mountains and the Las Vegas Strip. One-bedroom homes are priced from the low $200,000s; two-bedroom homes from the high $200,000s; and three-bedroom homes from the low $400,000s. The penthouse, offering 2,857 square feet of sweeping views, is priced at $1.1 million.

One Las Vegas is close to Interstate 15, the 215 Beltway and just minutes from McCarran International Airport. Town Square, just a few blocks north of the property, provides one-stop shopping and scores of dining and entertainment options.

For more information, visit the One Las Vegas onsite sales center at 8255 Las Vegas Blvd. South or online at info@theonelv.com. The sales center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.