In 1952, reclusive casino and film executive Howard Hughes purchased 30,000 acres (12,000ha) of land along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley for $3 per acre in an area valued at $1.27 million in 2022 USD, according to development company, Howard Hughes Holdings.
In the early 1970s, despite initial intentions to reposition some of his business operations in Nevada, Hughes eventually chose not to relocate his core companies. Even though Hughes did not relocate operations, he became the largest single land owner in Nevada and, for a time, the largest employer in the state, with over 8,000 on his payroll.
The land remained largely undeveloped for decades. In the mean time, the first large-scale master-planned community in Nevada, Green Valley in Henderson, began[when?] development.[citation needed]
In 1976, after Hughes died from kidney failure, his heirs organized the Summa Corporation (now Howard Hughes Holdings), named for Hughes's paternal grandmother Jean Amelia Summerlin, to manage his businesses and land holdings.
Summerlin and Howard Hughes Holdings headquarters
In 1990, Summerlin Parkway – a six-lane highway costing $22 million to complete, running from Rainbow Boulevard to Town Center Drive – was opened, connecting the new development to U.S. Route 95.
To mitigate environmental impact, Summa Corporation made a deal[when?] with the Bureau of Land Management in which they traded 5,000 acres (2,000ha) of environmentally sensitive land for 3,000 acres (1,200ha) acres of land better suited for development. After this environmental concern was addressed, development began.
By the end of 1990, the construction of its first residential area, park, and school had been completed.
In 1994, Summa Corporation rebranded itself as the Howard Hughes Corporation and continued to develop new areas of Summerlin.
Around 2008, the Great Recession led to a temporary slowdown in new construction within Summerlin.
After 2014, development activity increased significantly, highlighted by the opening of Downtown Summerlin, a 106-acre (43ha) development featuring retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Demographics
It has a median household income of $72,078.
Geography
The development covers 22,500 acres (9,100ha) of the western edge of incorporated Las Vegas and sits at the center-west end of the Las Vegas Valley. Downtown Summerlin refers to the development's primary commercial and retail shopping area.[citation needed]
Summers tend to be very hot and very dry, with daily highs often exceeding 100°F (38°C); temperatures as high as 118°F (48°C) have been observed. The spring and fall seasons are generally sunny, warm, and dry, with daily highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit (20s and low 30s Celsius). Winters tend to be cool and windy, with daily highs in the 50s Fahrenheit (10s Celsius); temperatures seldom drop below freezing, and snowfall is rare, but some rain is common (especially in January and February).
Economy
Allegiant Air has their corporate headquarters in Summerlin.
Hotel and casinos
Three major resort casinos are located in the Summerlin area:
Suncoast Hotel and Casino opened in 2000 and is generally considered a Summerlin property, even though it is actually located just outside the community.
Summerlin has a non-gaming hotel called Element Las Vegas, which was developed by Westin Hotels. It opened in 2008.
Downtown Summerlin is a 400-acre (160ha)mixed-use district. It opened in 2014, and includes a 106-acre (43ha) shopping center with more than 125 shops, bars, and restaurants. It also features office and residential space. In addition, Downtown Summerlin also includes two sports facilities:
Local events are held in Downtown Summerlin throughout the year, including an annual art festival, outdoor fitness classes, wine walks, holiday festivals, and visits from celebrity guest speakers.[citation needed]
Library
Summerlin Library
Summerlin has a public library, a branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.
Sports
The city's NHL franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, practice at City National Arena in Summerlin. The arena also offers skating lessons, hosts youth and adult amateur hockey leagues, and trains competitive figure skaters.
The UNLV Hockey team plays its home games at City National Arena in Summerlin.[citation needed]
Large community parks, which are available for free public use, are located throughout Summerlin. As of 2026[update], more than 300 parks feature a variety of recreational amenities, including community centers, barbecue areas, walking trails, playgrounds, swimming pools, interactive water features, soccer fields, baseball fields, football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, and motorized toy areas. In addition, the parks with community centers typically offer special events, classes, and children's camps. Swimming pool access, sports field and court registration and league participation, facility rentals, and classes require a Summerlin identification card issued only to owners and tenants who live in an area governed by a Summerlin HOA.
In 2026, a portion of Grand Park, the largest park in Summerlin, opened to the public. Once the three phases are complete, Grand Park is expected to be around 90 acres (36ha) within the master-planned community of Grand Park Village
Walking trails
As of 2018[update], the Summerlin Trail System was more than 150 miles (240km) long, connecting local neighborhoods to various amenities throughout the community. The system includes five types of planned trails: street-side; village; bike; regional; and natural.[citation needed]
As of 2026[update], more than 200 miles (320km) of interconnected trails connect to more than 2,000 miles (3,200km) of regional trails, making it one of the most comprehensive and efficient trail systems in the southwestern United States.[citation needed]
In 2008, Summerlin and the Howard Hughes Corporation received the American Trails Developer Award, which is given to developers in recognition of "quality, well designed multi-use trails systems that are integrated into private developments".
Mountain recreation
The adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers 26 hiking trails (ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous). The canyon is also suitable for bouldering and rock climbing and has an overnight camp site.
In addition to the above-listed public schools, some Summerlin residents are zoned for schools located just outside of the Summerlin boundaries proper. For example, many families in Summerlin South are zoned for Durango High School in nearby Spring Valley).
Private schools
Summerlin has a number of private schools, including:
In addition to local government (either the City of Las Vegas or Clark County depending on jurisdiction), Summerlin is divided into community associations covering the north, south, west, and center, as well as separate community associations for Sun City Summerlin and the two gated country club developments (Siena and Red Red Country Club). Homeowners and business owners contribute into each community association through monthly dues. The four main community associations contribute into and send representatives to the Summerlin Council, which is the owner and operator of the community centers and adjoining parks, swimming pools, and sports facilities in the community. In addition, individual villages or townhome developments may have their own homeowners associations to govern their neighborhoods. Properties are also in a special improvement district to pay for public infrastructure, which is assessed annually as a bond payment.
Healthcare
The Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, a private hospital operated by the Valley Health System, provides 485 beds to the local community. It is an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center. Other features include: the Children's Medical Center, the Breast Care Center, the Cancer Center, the Rehab Center, and the Robotic Surgery Center. Its 40-acre (16ha) campus is located in The Crossings village of Summerlin North.
↑Except for Summerlin South (which is within unincorporated Clark County and is a census-designated place). Neither Summerlin nor Summerlin South are municipalities, towns, or cities of their own. Note that the term "unincorporated" as in unincorporated towns has a specific legal definition in Nevada.
↑PILOTS - Frequently Asked Questions. "The first few days of orientation are usually spent at Allegiant Air Headquarters in the Summerlin community in Las Vegas, NV". Accessed 13 July 2020.
