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Opening Of Eagerly Awaited Hacienda Clubhouse
Date Published: Dec 20, 2006

OPENING OF EAGERLY AWAITED HACIENDA CLUBHOUSE COMPLETES THE RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES AT BLACKSTONE COUNTRY CLUB

With the eagerly awaited official opening of the Hacienda Clubhouse at Blackstone Country Club on Jan. 20, the resort-style amenities are all in place at Peoria's newest private community.

Blackstone is situated within the award-winning Vistancia master plan located west of Lake Pleasant Road and Happy Valley Parkway.

The gated community is being developed by Sunbelt Holdings and Shea Homes, both headquartered in Scottsdale.

Tucked between the ninth and10th holes of the Jim Engh-designed Blackstone course, the 30,000 square-foot Hacienda Clubhouse is situated in the heart of the Blackstone community on 18 acres. The site gives way to 360 degree views of the surrounding local landmarks of White Peak, Twin Peaks and the distant Bradshaw Mountains as well as the Valley.

"A hacienda or 'big house' was the architectural theme and we wanted to make it just that, a house having the warmer feel of the Mexican design style," said architect Jonathan Cowles, who designed the clubhouse with principal architect Bing Hu of H & S International.

A major focus of the design is an expansive entry courtyard with brick and chocolate saltillo tile floor, mature shade trees and other lush vegetation that frame the

view of the 18th fairway. Interesting water features include a dramatic four-foot-high

stone fountain that connects to another fountain several feet away by a narrow "runnel" or trough inlaid with smooth pebbles. Intimate alcoves and soft seating everywhere encourage small gatherings or groups for larger parties.

"The details in the courtyard were a large focus for the design team as we wanted to be as authentic as possible in the feeling and finish," Cowles added. "Other ways we expressed the Mexican style was in the use of cantera stone columns and exposed wood. And, we created areas where roofing tile was exposed to the underside to give an Old World flair."

Upon entering the clubhouse, a cedar wood beam and fabric paneled ceiling makes a dramatic first impression and extends to the main dining room, featuring booth and table seating, an expansive copper-topped bar with wood elbow rest, and distressed wood floors.

Three private dining venues include an intimate wine dining room for private tastings and special gatherings that has tile mosaics and lush carpeting. Adjacent to the room is a refrigerated, 2,200-bottle capacity wine storage area. A charming formal dining room in fresh, contemporary shades of green, has checkerboard travertine floors offset with green glass tile baseboards, an oval coffered ceiling and fabric wall panels. An outer patio faces the first and 18th fairways. The library dining room has a cantera stone fireplace that is the focal point of the room.

In addition, a comfortable outdoor Cantina has a massive Mexican tile-topped bar, two 42-inch TVs and a stone fireplace, providing a relaxing experience following a round of golf.

Executive Chef Ben Lesnick has created an eclectic contemporary menu using

fresh ingredients and an interesting infusion of flavors evident in dishes such as

Pork Dumpling Salad, paella featuring ancho chile rice, cured ham, smoked pork shrimp, lobster tails and roasted chiles, and Tenderloin Sliders with browned onions and truffled Gouda.

Located across the courtyard from the dining areas are the men's and women's locker rooms, each with a comfortable lounge, and a 1,000 square-foot golf shop offering the latest men's and women's golf wear and equipment.

A highlight of the Hacienda's interior design is the original artwork by regional artists including:

- "Sunset in the West", an oil on canvas by Texas landscape painter Carroll Collier whose style is characteristic of the French Barbizon school.

- A whimsical reference to the wild burros that roam the desert around Blackstone is the subject of an acrylic painting by Apache Junction artist Anne Coe that hangs over the fireplace at the reception area to the locker rooms.

- Arizona artist Hilario Gutierrez was commissioned to paint an abstract acrylic work consisting of nine small square canvases that convey the Sonoran desert's chaotic emotion of line, color and form. This piece greets visitors to the main dining area.

Located on the second floor of The Hacienda is a 3,000 square-foot fitness center offering Precore cardio and strength-training equipment, group as well as individual training sessions and a variety of classes including yoga and Pilates in the Movement Studio.

A relaxing spa area has a full suite of massage services such as Swedish, aromatherapy, deep tissue, personalized therapeutic massage, back, neck and shoulder and special mother-to-be treatments.

The Hacienda's exterior design is as distinctive as the interior. Plush play lawns

surrounding the complex invite casual family picnics, croquet matches, children's games and informal gatherings while four lighted tennis courts offer casual and tournament play.

Three pools include a six-lane competitive swim lap pool, a children's splash pool and a luxurious resort-style pool, all with arresting views of the Valley beyond. The resort pool, the centerpiece of the three, is an eye-catcher with rounded, Malibu-style tiles in playful colors and four round, cantera stone fountains carved into lizard shapes that spout water into the pool. Wide steps leading into the pool, travertine decking and six brightly colored canvas cabanas with double chaise lounges complete the glamorous feel.

From inside the pool house, with its comfortable seating and large screen TV, the 18th hole of the Blackstone course is perfectly framed. Other areas for outdoor entertainment include barbecue and fire pit areas that include a viewing terrace.

The Hacienda is also the site of a variety of kids programs including Kids Kamp scheduled during spring and summer breaks for ages 4-12, and Kub House which is a supervised playroom for kids 1-5.

In addition, valet and concierge services are available for members.

Named for the volcanic rock indigenous to the area, Blackstone has been designed to offer a luxury lifestyle without pretension. "This community is for those who wish to experience life's finer things in a setting that is casual yet elegant, "said Curt Smith, chief operating officer for Sunbelt Holdings. "The level of amenities, rich design features and lovely homes appeal to all members of the family."

Blackstone offers custom home sites with desert, mountain and golf course frontage views ranging from one-half to three-quarters of an acre. In addition, luxury builder home models by Cachet Homes, Camelot Homes and T.W. Lewis will open in

March 2007.

For additional information about Blackstone, call 623-476-2923 or 800-617-5301 or visit the Web site at www.blackstonecountryclub.com.