LAKE LAS VEGAS 2010-2012
Over the last 25 years Nevada was the fastest-growing state in the Nation, until the Great Recession of 2008 turned the tide on the urbanized Mojave Desert. Las Vegas was the third-fastest-growing U.S. metro area from 2000 to 2010, but now ranks 151st. The city continues to suffer the Nation’s highest rates of unemployment and housing foreclosure: properties have dropped an average of 57% in value since 2006.
20 miles East of the Strip lies an artificial 320-acre lake created by damming the Las Vegas Wash, which drains the city’s wastewater. The surrounding 3600 acres is known as “Lake Las Vegas Resort.” Comprised of 21 Mediterranean-themed communities, many of them “guard-gated,” three golf courses, a casino, two destination resort hotels, and a replica of Florence’s very own Ponte Vecchio, this Lake Como amidst the Henderson swamp began its life in 1991. By 2008, however, the entire 1600-home resort was in foreclosure as its primary developer, funded by the Bass Brothers of Texas, defaulted on $1 Billion in speculative debt from Swiss and foreign banks. All three golf courses went into foreclosure, and the hotels and casino followed shortly. In 2007 the average square- foot price of a resale home in Lake Las Vegas was $544; in November 2010 it was $106.
Vultures have moved in, and it’s likely that Las Vegas’ most excessive residential fantasy will eventually bounce back. Metaphorically, Lake Las Vegas actually means more than its clichéd theme-park lifestyle promises purport, and it might even mean more than the city of Las Vegas itself. It’s a poignant, lonely American archetype -- however awkward -- that embodies particularly American domestic dreams: classless classes, endless exuberance, Medici living for the everyday guy, and a castle on the cheap protected from the politics gathering just outside the gates.
Hand-made book of 22 aerial images photographed by Michael Light from 2010 to 2012. Printed on Epson Enhanced Matte paper using archival Epson Ultrachrome 3 pigment inks, adhered with archival Gudy 831 double-sided pressure adhesive. Archival stability well exceeds c-print standards. Custom binding by John DeMerritt Bookbinding, Emeryville, CA. Edition of 10, signed on last image.
00. Bankrupt “The Falls” golf course and future house lots looking southeast, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
01. 12-mile-long channelized Las Vegas Wash, looking towards downtown, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
02. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas construction road looking north, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
03. Future”The Falls”at Lake Las Vegas house lots and abandoned mattress looking west, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
04. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas cul-de-sac and abandoned mattress looking northwest, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
05. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas construction road looking southwest, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
06. Lake Las Vegas Parkway looking west, guard-gated “Bella Fiore” development beyond, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
07. Halted “Bella Fiore” houses and bankrupt “The Falls” golf course, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
08. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas looking southeast, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
09. “Barcelona” homes and Lake Mead Recreation Area, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
10. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas future homesites looking northwest, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
11. “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas and former Northern River mountains looking north, Henderson, Nevada; 2012
12. “Barcelona” homes and the edge of Lake Mead Recreation Area looking south, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
13. Empty lots in the “Marseilles” Lake Las Vegas guard-gated community, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
14. Terraforming “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas, Northern River mountains, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
15. Edge of the “Barcelona” guard-gated community, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
16. “Barcelona” guard-gated community looking south, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
17. Bankrupt “Reflection Bay” golf course looking northwest, Lake Las Vegas Parkway to right, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
18. Future homesites of “The Falls” at Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
19. Gated “Monaco” Lake Las Vegas Homes, bankrupt Ponte Vecchio and casino beyond, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
20. “Monaco” Lake Las Vegas home and foreclosed neighbor, on guard-gated Grand Corniche Drive, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
21. “V At Lake Las Vegas” pool complex, “Via Visione” at left, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
22. Thrust-fault mountains near Rainbow Gardens, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2011
23. “Casa Palermo” Lake Las Vegas homes looking southeast, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
24. Lake Las Vegas and empty “Marseilles Deux” homesites looking northeast, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
25. “Mantova” development looking southeast, Lake Mead beyond, Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada; 2010
26. Former shoreline of shrunken Lake Mead looking southeast, near Echo Bay, Nevada; 2010
LAKE LAS VEGAS 2010-2012
Over the last 25 years Nevada was the fastest-growing state in the Nation, until the Great Recession of 2008 turned the tide on the urbanized Mojave Desert. Las Vegas was the third-fastest-growing U.S. metro area from 2000 to 2010, but now ranks 151st. The city continues to suffer the Nation’s highest rates of unemployment and housing foreclosure: properties have dropped an average of 57% in value since 2006.
20 miles East of the Strip lies an artificial 320-acre lake created by damming the Las Vegas Wash, which drains the city’s wastewater. The surrounding 3600 acres is known as “Lake Las Vegas Resort.” Comprised of 21 Mediterranean-themed communities, many of them “guard-gated,” three golf courses, a casino, two destination resort hotels, and a replica of Florence’s very own Ponte Vecchio, this Lake Como amidst the Henderson swamp began its life in 1991. By 2008, however, the entire 1600-home resort was in foreclosure as its primary developer, funded by the Bass Brothers of Texas, defaulted on $1 Billion in speculative debt from Swiss and foreign banks. All three golf courses went into foreclosure, and the hotels and casino followed shortly. In 2007 the average square- foot price of a resale home in Lake Las Vegas was $544; in November 2010 it was $106.
Vultures have moved in, and it’s likely that Las Vegas’ most excessive residential fantasy will eventually bounce back. Metaphorically, Lake Las Vegas actually means more than its clichéd theme-park lifestyle promises purport, and it might even mean more than the city of Las Vegas itself. It’s a poignant, lonely American archetype -- however awkward -- that embodies particularly American domestic dreams: classless classes, endless exuberance, Medici living for the everyday guy, and a castle on the cheap protected from the politics gathering just outside the gates.
Hand-made book of 22 aerial images photographed by Michael Light from 2010 to 2012. Printed on Epson Enhanced Matte paper using archival Epson Ultrachrome 3 pigment inks, adhered with archival Gudy 831 double-sided pressure adhesive. Archival stability well exceeds c-print standards. Custom binding by John DeMerritt Bookbinding, Emeryville, CA. Edition of 10, signed on last image.
In exhibition Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco, 2012
Lake Las Vegas 2012