Jack and Jeanette Whitt are used to building communities and families. Several years ago Jack and Jeanette moved from Breckenridge, Colorado, after completing their Tiger Run Community development. They have now completed the golf course, clubhouse and infrastructure of the Turtleback Mountain Resort development. Their son, Russell, is COO and CFO, and their son-in-law, Jeff Smith, joined them as General Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day Turtleback Mountain Resort operations.

New Mexico was appealing because of its weather and the exceptional opportunities to build something special. In 2004, Jack bought the Oasis golf course and surrounding acreage in Elephant Butte and started planning the Turtleback Mountain Resort. His vision was to build a golf course community which appeals to both full time and seasonal residents. The new golf course, Sierra del Rio, is of championship caliber and the club house and restaurant offer the residents and day visitors a classy place to lunch, dine or hold special events.

Jack and Jeanette knew this was likely their final move and wanted to build a home that provided comfort, capitalized on the natural surroundings and also provided for a gathering place for children and grandchildren. In December of 2006, they selected a hilltop site for the home overlooking the golf course and surrounding natural waterfowl flyway ponds.

The house pad needed to be expanded to accommodate the house foot-print, which includes 5,000 square feet inside and 2,000 square feet of patio. Jack and Jeanette wanted a Spanish mission-style architectural design reminiscent of the Mexican haciendas built along the California coastal region. To accomplish the mission-style architectural objective, it was necessary to have a house with thick wall mass. Instead of building with the traditional adobe bricks, they choose a formed block system by Durisol. Durisol makes a cement-bonded wood fiber molded block. It is the original ICF block system and contains no petrochemicals. It is energy efficient and qualifies for green build certification. Jeff and Brandy Cox of Cox Construction were hired to build the house for the Whitts. One of Cox Construction’s signature items is formed, reinforced concrete. Jack and Jeff developed a concept of building concrete reinforced panels to act as casement for the windows and doors. The building was developed with the Durisol blocks, and as they reached the window and door positions, the tilt-up wall sections were up-righted and tied into the Durisol block wall. The edges of the wall were rounded in the mold to give that adobe look.

One of the unique features that Jeff and Brandy incorporated in the tilt up sections was to frame the exteriors of the windows and doors with a raised concrete border that was formed to look like old distressed timbers. They did this with a rubber mold of a weathered beam that they had fabricated and then used an acid stain for the coloration. Once the walls were up and this exterior paint coat applied, they stained the weathered beam concrete portion. The finished concrete beam truly resembles wood.

The interior walls were also made of the Durisol block system giving the Old World mass on the inside as well as on the perimeter. Mission-style calls for high ceilings and the Whitt’s house boasted room heights of 14 feet. For the interior ceilings, large 12” by 12” timbers were secured and then distressed, burned with a torch, stained, sanded and stained a second time. In place, they give the feel they were originally hewn over a hundred years ago. They are a perfect compliment to the red Saltillo tile floors, which are placed throughout the house. The beautiful kitchen boasts tile from Spain, arranged in a stylish mosaic. The adjacent dining nook sits at the foot of a 30-foot tower with a dome ceiling.

The dining room and living room are set for large family gatherings and Jeanette has worked hard to make sure the furniture, lighting and accessories bring forward the style objective. All of the doors inside the house are extra tall and replicate the typical Spanish hacienda look.

As you drive up to the front of the house, the cobblestone-effect stamped concrete leads to the entry courtyard. The two-story courtyard, surrounded by heavy concrete window timbers and the tower, creates the perfect castle setting. The small fishpond just before the massive front entry door adds an interesting feature. There is no doubt that Jack and Jeanette have continued to succeed in their projects and this house is just another one of their great accomplishments. If you have ever seen the movie “A Walk in the Clouds” you can just picture the Whitt’s Spanish hacienda sitting in the middle of rolling hills of grape vines. No, I think they have substituted the vineyard with a most spectacular view of the beautiful Turtleback Mountain Resort community.