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The Lakes Homes for Sale
52 active listings
From $229,000 to $1,100,000
The Lakes is an established community in central Las Vegas built around a private lake system, offering waterfront and water-view homes from the mid $200,000s to over $28 million in a mature neighborhood setting convenient to the 215 beltway and the Spring Valley corridor.
The Lakes is a master-planned lake community in west-central Las Vegas, in the 89117 ZIP code, just east of Summerlin South. The community is built around a single large man-made lake, Lake Sahara, with the residential streets winding around the shoreline and several sub-neighborhoods having direct lakefront access. The Lakes was developed in the 1980s by Howard Hughes's predecessor Summa Corporation as one of the earlier master-planned communities in the metro, predating most of Summerlin. The community has approximately 2,500 homes (single-family, condominiums, and townhomes) plus several gated luxury enclaves inside, including Regency at The Lakes (the premier luxury sub-section with custom homes typically running over $1M) and the gated waterfront enclaves on the lake. The architectural language across The Lakes leans 1980s and 1990s suburban contemporary, with substantial Mediterranean and Southwest influences in the higher-end sub-neighborhoods. The lake itself supports limited boating, paddle boarding, and shoreline fishing, with several waterfront homes having private dock access. The Lakes sits about 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and is well-connected to the I-215 Beltway, the Summerlin Parkway, and the broader west valley arterial network.
About The Lakes
The Lakes is an established residential community in central Las Vegas, built around a private lake system that serves as the neighborhood's defining feature. Developed primarily in the 1980s and 1990s, the community features mature landscaping, tree-lined streets, and a variety of home styles arranged around interconnected lakes and waterways. The Lakes was one of the first planned communities in the Las Vegas valley to incorporate a lake system as a central amenity, and it remains a distinctive neighborhood in the central corridor.
Homes and Pricing
Homes in The Lakes range from approximately $215,000 to over $28,000,000. The wide price range reflects the diversity of housing within the community, from smaller attached townhomes and condominiums to large waterfront estate homes on the lake. Single-family homes typically range from 1,200 to over 5,000 square feet, with three to six bedrooms. Waterfront properties with direct lake access and private docks command the highest premiums, while homes on interior streets offer more affordable entry points.
Amenities and Lifestyle
The private lake system is the primary amenity, with several interconnected lakes and waterways winding through the community. Waterfront homeowners may have private dock access depending on their property. Community parks, walking paths, and open green spaces are distributed throughout the neighborhood. The mature landscaping provides shade and a lush environment that contrasts with the surrounding desert. The Lakes does not have a private golf course or large-scale clubhouse, but the lake setting creates a unique residential atmosphere within the central valley.
Location and Commute
The Lakes is located in central Las Vegas near the intersection of Sahara Avenue and the 215 beltway. The central location provides convenient access to the Las Vegas Strip (approximately 15 minutes), Summerlin (10 minutes), and the airport (approximately 20 minutes). The Spring Valley commercial corridor along Sahara, Rainbow, and Jones provides extensive shopping, dining, and services within minutes of the community. The 215 beltway offers direct freeway access to Henderson, Summerlin, and the northwest valley.
Who Lives Here
The Lakes attracts buyers seeking waterfront living in a central Las Vegas location. The community appeals to a broad range of residents, from first-time buyers purchasing condominiums or townhomes to established homeowners seeking lakefront estate properties. Families value the mature neighborhood setting and central location, while investors are drawn to the rental demand generated by the unique lake amenity. The community competes with Desert Shores for buyers specifically seeking water-oriented neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Zoned for Helen M. Smith Elementary (K-5, Clark County School District), Lawrence and Heidi Canarelli Middle School (6-8, Clark County School District), and Bonanza High School (9-12, Clark County School District).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does The Lakes compare to Desert Shores?
Both are man-made lake communities in northwest and west Las Vegas, and they are sometimes confused. Desert Shores has four named lakes (Jacqueline, Maddison, Sarah, Lindsey), a 200,000-gallon lagoon-style swimming pool with a sand beach, beach clubs at each lake, and approximately 3,300 to 3,500 homes across 22 districts on 682 acres. The Lakes has a single larger lake (Lake Sahara), approximately 2,500 homes, and more of a private lakeside feel without the resort-style beach club programming that defines Desert Shores. Desert Shores is amenity-forward with a structured community calendar; The Lakes is quieter and more residentially focused. Both attract buyers who want lake-adjacent living without paying Summerlin master plan fees. Desert Shores is in 89128. The Lakes is in 89117.
Is The Lakes part of Summerlin?
No. The Lakes is a separate master plan, developed by Summa Corporation in the 1980s before most of Summerlin was built. The community has its own homeowner association and its own master plan boundary. The Lakes sits geographically just east of Summerlin South, but the two are administratively separate. The Lakes residents do not pay Summerlin master plan fees; they pay The Lakes HOA dues and any sub-association fees specific to their sub-neighborhood.
What is Regency at The Lakes?
Regency at The Lakes is the premier luxury sub-neighborhood inside The Lakes master plan, with custom and semi-custom homes that typically run over $1M. The architectural language is more upscale than the broader Lakes inventory, with larger lot sizes, mature landscaping, and higher-end finish levels. Several Regency homes back the lake on premium waterfront lots, with private dock access. Regency is gated separately from the broader Lakes community. Buyers who want lakefront luxury living in the west valley without paying Summerlin master plan premiums often look at Regency at The Lakes alongside the lakefront enclaves at Desert Shores.
Can I have a boat at The Lakes?
The lake at The Lakes (Lake Sahara) supports limited boating, with electric motors only and specific size restrictions. Several waterfront homes have private dock access, with dock rights tied to specific lot designations. The lake also supports paddle boarding, kayaking, and shoreline fishing. The exact boating rules and dock availability vary by sub-neighborhood and are best confirmed during the property research phase. Powered watercraft beyond electric motors is not permitted.
What schools serve The Lakes?
The Lakes is served by the Clark County School District. The schools most often associated with The Lakes addresses include Reedom Elementary, Walter Bracken STEAM Academy, Sig Rogich Middle School, and Bonanza High School or Palo Verde High School depending on specific zoning. Several charter and magnet school options exist within reasonable distance. We pull current zoning per address before any offer.
What are home prices like in The Lakes?
Active listings in The Lakes typically run from the high $300,000s for the smaller condominium and townhome floor plans up past $1.5M for the larger Regency at The Lakes custom homes on premium waterfront lots. The mainstream single-family inventory typically runs between the high $500,000s and the high $800,000s. Waterfront homes with private dock access trade at meaningful premiums over comparable inland homes in the same sub-neighborhoods.