Casas de Soledad

Originally, it was an apartment complex, but the best thing that happened to Puerta Villa apartments was Madison Property Group, which took this luxury cluster property to a new level of upscale.

Based in Colorado, Madison Property Group specializes in converting existing apartment properties into high-end condominiums for individual sale. Their intent was to deliver that same luxury lifestyle to a clientele looking for more permanent accommodations, from young professionals looking for a lifestyle that allows freedom from worry of maintenance to people who are interested in a second home where they can enjoy mild winters and virtually year-round golf.

No matter what the demographic, this is a place where everyone can enjoy an affordable lifestyle with affordable features. Included in a resident’s list of amenities (all maintained by the property) is a state-of-the-art workout room, resort-style pool, gated security, lush putting greens, BBQ grills and a private

clubhouse with kitchenette available for entertaining. Casas de Soledad is also located in the heart of one of Las Cruces’ premier master-planned communities, Sonoma Ranch, which boasts an 18-hole golf course designed by Cal Olsen. Golf Digest thought enough of the course to give it three-and-a-half stars on their “Best Places to Play” list.

Each floor plan at Casas de Soledad offers something a little different. From spacious one bedroom units featuring a large master bath suite, living area, dining room and kitchen, to a more roomy three bedroom unit that could easily accommodate family living, the condominiums at Casas de Soledad are another answer to the question: Is there really a way to live comfortably, enjoy a pool you don’t have to clean and landscaping that you can admire but don’t have to maintain? You bet.

The Casitas at Morningstar

Dennis and Becky Smith have more than 20 years of experience in the building industry, and have lived in just about every home they have built. When the opportunity came to purchase a condo with the intent of creating a space for someone else to live in, they jumped at it. “We got a lot of satisfaction knowing we created a warm inviting space for someone who is away from their own home, whether it was for business, pleasure or both,” says Becky, who designs the color palette and interior scheme of each home.

They chose the Casitas at Morningstar, and purchased a unit in the final stages of completion in September 2007. “It was purchased as a corporate suite,” Becky explains, which meant they would have to fully furnish and decorate the condo down to every last detail: linens, dishes and small appliances. “We included everything down to the cleaning supplies.”

First on their list was to create an area that would accommodate furnishings, “but wouldn’t overcrowd the room,” Becky points out about the smaller-than-average living area. “I sat on the floor of what was basically a plain, vanilla space. I had a lot of ideas, and after they started coming together, it flowed very well. Within a week most everything had been chosen, including the furnishings, paint for accent walls, linens, dishes and wall décor.

As with any other project, Becky knew that color is the quickest and easiest way to add interest and warmth to a room and make it a place you want to spend some time. “I have fun combining my favorite Southwestern desert colors along with the beautiful colors we enjoy in our nightly sunsets here in the Mesilla Valley,” she notes. Accent walls were painted in the living area to provide dimension, and deeper colors were chosen for the dining area to add elegance and warmth.

From start to finish, the project took only about a month to evolve from that “plain, vanilla space” to a cozy, comfortable home. A huge overstuffed leather sofa and recliner are smartly situated in the living room, surrounded by a soft sage green accent wall and a large flat panel television. The dining area hums with the cranberry hues of a Las Cruces sunset, and the large bedroom with its queen-sized furniture has a closet nearly the size of a second bedroom. The bath boasts a large soak tub as well as a shower, and to add that luxury touch, Becky includes an aromatherapy spa basket for each tenant with lotions, soaps, bath salts and candles. The kitchen is an equally spacious part of the condo, with an abundance of large, chunky baskets with plants and richly stained cabinetry. A washer and dryer unit is tucked smartly behind a laundry closet, located between the kitchen and bath. “It was important to us to provide a sense of well-being for our guests who are away from their homes. We wanted this space to be the next best thing. Maybe even better.”

Outside the luxury condo are all the amenities you would expect from a gated community: covered parking, a resort-style indoor and outdoor pool and a fitness facility. Everything is situated within close proximity to hospitals, shopping, golf and other recreation.

Now that their project is complete, Becky says it was challenging to create a warm, inviting environment with broad appeal in a one-bedroom unit where space was limited. “The saving grace was the open floor plan that gives the sense of a much larger space. Someone can be preparing a meal in the kitchen, yet have a conversation with another person in any other room of the house. Plus, what could be more relaxing than being able to see the mountains from every window?”