By Gavin Ernstone
Few Las Vegas projects have drawn as much quiet attention as the former Bear’s Best course in Summerlin, which is being rebuilt as a private club with villas planned alongside it. I have been following the redevelopment closely, and the villa timeline raises the most questions. Published reports point to 15 boutique villas scheduled for completion by December 2027, though details such as pricing have not been widely released.
In this guide, I separate what public sources confirm from what remains a projection, so you can plan with realistic expectations.
Key Takeaways
- Course Transformation: The former Bear’s Best Las Vegas course is being redeveloped into a private club backed by a reported $300 million investment.
- Villa Count: Reports describe 15 boutique villas, with completion scheduled for December 2027.
- Membership Terms: Local agent guides list a $250,000 initiation fee and dues of about $4,000, which should be confirmed with the club.
- Open Questions: Villa pricing and final floor plans were not published in the sources I reviewed.
From Bear’s Best to Amara Golf Club
The property is the former Bear’s Best Las Vegas course, a Jack Nicklaus design that Andrew Pascal and Mike Mixer acquired for $30.5 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Club + Resort Business. The owners have said they plan to invest $300 million in the project, working with golf course architecture firm Jackson Kahn Design.
Redevelopment Facts Behind Amara at The Ridges New Construction
- Purchase Price: Local news coverage lists the sale price as $30.5 million.
- Design Team: Jackson Kahn Design was named in news coverage as the golf course architect.
- Timeline: Redevelopment was reported to begin in September 2025, with a grand reopening targeted for October 2026.
News coverage describes a new boutique clubhouse, multiple dining and lounge options, terraces, and hospitality suites for visiting members. Because October 2026 was a target date, confirm the club’s current opening status directly before making plans.
Fifteen Boutique Villas Planned for 2027
Both the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Club + Resort Business report 15 boutique villas scheduled for completion by December 2027. Sources that cover the project disagree on some details, so I treat any single figure as provisional.
What the Villa Reports Say
- Villa Count: Fifteen villas appear across news coverage and local agent guides.
- Reported Sizes: Published size figures vary by source, with ranges from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 square feet.
- Completion Target: News coverage lists December 2027, while at least one local guide describes construction beginning in 2027.
No pricing for the villas appeared in the sources I reviewed. Ask for current floor plans, lot details, and pricing in writing before relying on any figure.
Private Club Membership at Amara
Amara is planned as a private, members-only club, so access works differently from the public course it replaces. Several local guides report a cap of 250 general memberships, with 15 more reserved for villa owners.
Membership Terms Reported by Local Sources
- Initiation Fee: Local guides list a $250,000 initiation fee that rises after every 50 memberships sold.
- Dues: Guides cite dues of about $4,000 per month, which includes family access for children up to age 25.
- Transfers: One local guide reports that resale is permitted with a 50 percent convenience fee.
Home and villa ownership are reported to be separate from membership, so the club’s actual terms matter as much as the property itself. I recommend requesting the official membership documents before comparing costs.
The Ridges Community Around the Club
The Ridges is a custom home area within Summerlin, the master-planned community developed by Howard Hughes. The company’s 2019 announcement of Talon Ridge described 17 custom homesites of one-quarter to one-third acre within The Ridges.
Why The Ridges Las Vegas Draws Attention
- Location: The company’s 2019 release placed The Ridges near Red Rock Canyon, about a 20-minute drive from the Strip.
- Custom Homes: That release reported more than 300 completed custom homes at the time.
- Gated Access: The release describes the community as gated.
Local agent guides market the club as part of The Ridges setting, and the club itself is a separate redevelopment led by Pascal and Mixer. Because these community figures date from 2019, check current home counts and neighborhood details before relying on them.
Clubhouse and Amenities Planned for Members
News coverage describes a new boutique clubhouse with dining and lounge options, terraces, and hospitality suites. Local agent guides add more detail, though no official club source confirmed those specifics in my research.
Amenities Listed in Public Plans
- Clubhouse Spaces: Agent guides list a two-level clubhouse with a spa, fitness center, wine lounge, and banquet rooms.
- Recreation: Those guides also list a family pool, four pickleball courts, and a sports lounge.
- Golf Offerings: Plans include a redesigned championship course and a six-hole par-3 course, according to local guides.
Dates for opening and amenity lists can change as construction advances. I suggest confirming details with the club before you schedule a tour.
FAQs
What should I know about Amara at The Ridges new construction before 2027?
Published reports point to 15 boutique villas scheduled for completion by December 2027. Final floor plans and pricing were not available in the sources I reviewed, and I can help track updates as they are released.
How does The Ridges Las Vegas fit into the Amara plans?
Local agent guides market the club as part of The Ridges area of Summerlin, though the club is a separate redevelopment from the Howard Hughes neighborhoods. Membership is reported to be a separate purchase from any home, so confirm the details with the club.
Has Amara opened yet?
Coverage I reviewed described an October 2026 reopening target, and none of it confirmed that the club has opened. Check with the club for its current status before planning a visit.
Contact Gavin Ernstone Today
If you want help following the Amara villa plans or exploring custom homes in The Ridges, Gavin Ernstone is ready to walk you through your options.
