I thought I would share this recent article by Beth Sitzler at the Las Cruces Bulletin:
Unique style entwined with spectacular views Soft Southwest New Mexico home for Sale doubles as Picacho Mountain Visitor Center
A visitor center is designed to welcome the public into an environment that is comfortable and educational.
Wanting to show off the uniqueness of the area, Picacho Mountain Owner and Developer Bob Pofahl decided to house his Las Cruces, New Mexico visitor center in the home at 7038 Calle Estancias.
“So many of the buyers come right up here,” he said. “It’s nice to come to a home so they can imagine what it’s like to live in a Picacho Mountain home.”
Built 18 months ago by Sal Telles, president of Jactell Construction Inc., the 3,602-square foot model home was oriented on the 1.3-acre lot to capture New Mexico views of the Mesilla Valley and Organ Mountains.
“In this entire subdivision, the views are important,” Pofahl said. “The home’s orientation is the first thing done.”
“In Picacho Mountain, they stagger the lots so you get to keep your view,” said New Mexico Realtor Kaye Miller of Steinborn GMAC Real Estate.
After entering through the large wooden door, guests will notice the various granite,wrought iron and knotty alder wood elements used to give the home a soft Southwest look.
“It’s Southwest with a little bit of a Tuscan feel,” Pofahl said.
“It’s not heavy in design. It allows people moving here to come in and decorate with furniture they already have,” Miller said.
While this New Mexico home was designed to have three bedrooms, Pofahl said the study can be transformed into another bedroom or a formal living room or dining room.
“Today, people want flexible spaces,” he said.
Another feature people want, Pofahl said, is a kitchen with an open floor plan. The open kitchen features high-end appliances, granite countertops, tile accents and a trash compactor.
When designing the dining room, Pofahl said it was “all about the view.” Looking out to the patio, the dining room features a slate coffered ceiling designed to make the 12-foot ceiling appear smaller and cozier to guests.
Located near the dining room is the master suite, which is currently being used as Pofahl’s office. The room features a private patio area, fireplace and sitting area.
Double doors lead into the master bathroom, which features two granite vanities, a jetted bathtub and a walk-in shower with two showerheads and a bench.
Inspired by the “boomer phenomenon” and designed for convenience, the walk-in master closet has its own washer and dryer hookup.
Another area designed with the owner’s convenience in mind is the three-car garage, which is currently used to house training sessions and community events. Along with room for storage, the garage features a window. Pofahl said a window was added since many use the storage area as a hobby room.
“The window changes the feel of the space,” he said.
While the home features two yards, the wrap-around patio facing east is the home’s most popular area thanks to its view.
“The most unique things about this house are the tremendous views and great outdoor living area,” Pofahl said. “These were things we wanted to encourage our builders to capture more of in their homes.”
“It has a 24-hour view,” Miller said. “When the sun sets, the city lights are spectacular. There aren’t any streetlights for that reason – to protect the night sky from light pollution.”
Featuring 1,500 square feet of outdoor living space, Pofahl said the home is great for entertaining because of the outdoor kitchen and fire pit, which, unlike a fireplace, allows residents to enjoy the fire’s warmth without blocking the view.
“The great thing about a patio with wrap around walls is that you can still sit outside on a breezy day,” Miller said.
To promote outdoor living, Pofahl said they used the same ceramic tile flooring inside and out, which comfortably transitions guests from one area to the other.
Bringing residents outdoors doesn’t mean destroying or replacing the desert landscape, however. “He didn’t let any of the natural vegetation be disturbed,” Miller said.
“It’s always a challenge to get subcontractors to understand the importance of preserving the natural vegetation,” Pofahl said.
Pofahl said xeriscaping and Green Development is used throughout Picacho Mountain to promote and protect the natural landscape. By preserving the natural flow of water and the deserts crust, he said they are not only helping the environment, but they are also creating maintenance- free yards.
“The cryptobiotic crust over the natural desert protects the ground from erosion and keeps weeds out,” Pofahl said. “Once it has been damaged, you have to use gravel, which becomes a maintenance problem.”
“As good as the lot is, these things are standard on any number of lots here,” Miller said.
Miller said Picacho Mountain doesn’t just offer residents a home, but a rewarding lifestyle. The green subdivision features six walking trails as well as resident activities, including hikes behind Picacho Mountain and guest speakers.
“We have people who have bought lots but have not built on them yet and they fly in for our events,” Pofahl said.
“We would love for them to come take a visit and see what the home has to offer,” Pofahl said.
