(2026 Amara Update + What It Means for Buyers)
The Ridges is the OG of luxury villages in Summerlin.
Before the newer guard-gated luxury communities, before the latest wave of sleek modern builds…
The Ridges set the tone.
It was where:
- Architecture mattered
- Views were intentional
- And luxury in Summerlin really started to take shape
And for a long time… nothing really touched it.
But right now?
Something is shifting—and most buyers haven’t fully caught up to it yet.
And here’s the part that matters: this golf course transformation is going to impact which homes in The Ridges actually hold value… and which ones don’t.
What Is The Ridges Golf Course?
The Ridges is an 800-acre guard-gated luxury community in Summerlin, set against Red Rock Canyon.
At the center of it has always been the golf course—formerly Bear’s Best Las Vegas, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
For years, that course helped define the community.
But as of 2026…
It’s no longer the same story.
The Golf Course Is Becoming Amara — And This Is a Big Deal
The former Bear’s Best is being transformed into Amara Golf Club, a $300 million private redevelopment currently underway.
Here’s what we know:
- Public course closed: June 2025
- Redevelopment began: September 2025
- Grand reopening: October 2026
- Full buildout (including villas): expected through 2027
Amara is being positioned as a fully private, ultra-exclusive club experience—not just a neighborhood golf course.
Let’s Talk About the Exclusivity (Because This Is the Story)
This isn’t just an upgrade.
It’s a shift in who the community is for.
- ~250 total memberships
- ~$250,000 initiation fee
- ~$4,000/month dues
This is not casual access
This is curated, high-barrier luxury
So What Does This Mean for You as a Buyer?
This is where most blogs stop—and where this actually starts to matter.
1. The Ridges Is Becoming More Selective
You now have:
- A luxury community
- With a private club layered inside it
- That not every homeowner will automatically access
So value isn’t universal anymore—it’s specific
2. Not Every Home Will Benefit the Same Way
This is the mistake buyers make.
You’d think:
“New private club = everything goes up”
Not exactly.
The homes that will benefit most:
- Have strong view positioning
- Feel architecturally current
- Aren’t negatively impacted by proximity or traffic from the club
This is where how the home lives over time really matters
3. This Could Push the Top End Higher (But Narrow the Buyer Pool)
Private club + limited access + high cost of entry?
That typically elevates prestige and pricing
But also:
It narrows who can fully participate in the lifestyle
What No One Is Saying Out Loud
The Ridges is in a very specific moment right now:
- Some homes feel dated
- Newer Summerlin communities are competing
- And now you have a next-level private club coming in
That combination creates opportunity—but only if you understand it
Vegas Confidential Take
This isn’t a blanket “The Ridges is about to skyrocket” story.
It’s more nuanced than that.
The Ridges is becoming more exclusive
But also more segmented
If I were buying right now:
- I’d focus heavily on location within The Ridges
- I’d prioritize homes that already feel modern
- And I’d think carefully about proximity to the club—not just “golf course lot”
Because in a few years…
Buyers won’t just be buying a home
They’ll be buying into a very specific version of the lifestyle
Bottom Line
The golf course transformation isn’t really about golf.
It’s about identity
And The Ridges is quietly shifting into something more private, more curated, and more selective than it’s ever been.
The question is:
Are you buying into the right part of that shift?
Thinking About The Ridges?
If you’re considering The Ridges—or comparing it to newer luxury communities in Summerlin—I can help you break down:
- Where I’d actually buy
- Which areas I’d avoid
- And what holds value long term
Find more in my Vegas Confidential blog at JenniferGraffRealtor.com
Or reach out directly—I’ll walk you through it the right way.
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