For 45 years, Christopher Homes has stood at the forefront of luxury homebuilding in the Las Vegas Valley, creating not just houses, but places where life unfolds naturally, beautifully, and memorably. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the homes we’ve built, the communities we’ve shaped, and the legacy that continues to grow. From our early years to becoming one of most respected luxury home builders, our journey has always been more than just building homes, it’s about crafting a legacy of design, community, and trust.

The Beginning: A Vision Takes Shape

Christopher Homes is a family-owned business founded in 1981 by owner and Chief Executive Officer J. Christopher “Chris” Stuhmer, a second-generation home builder with a passion for craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and meaningful client relationships. The company began as a small custom homebuilding firm, rooted in the belief that homes should reflect the people who live in them—both in function and in beauty.

A defining moment came in 1987, when Chris developed Palm Canyon, the company’s first luxury home community. That project marked the beginning of Christopher Homes’ legacy of award-winning homes and communities. Palm Canyon was honored with Best Home Design, signaling early on that Christopher Homes was setting a new standard for luxury living in Southern Nevada.

Enhancing people’s lives has always been our mission. Crafting homes that reflect individual lifestyles, uncompromising standards, and timeless design. The first projects laid the foundation not just for structures, but for a reputation built on excellence that would grow stronger with every home delivered. With a leadership team whose dedication spans decades, our reputation has grown home by home, rooted in trust, enduring relationships, and an unwavering belief that enhancing lives and creating exceptional experiences is not simply what we do, it’s who we are.

Growing With Las Vegas Communities

As Las Vegas transformed from a growing desert city into a world-class destination, Christopher Homes evolved alongside it. Each new decade brought shifting lifestyles, rising architectural expectations, and new opportunities to redefine what luxury living could be in the Valley. From the very beginning, we saw an opportunity, not just to build homes, but to help shape the places people would build their lives.

Over the past 45 years, Christopher Homes has been a pioneer in the luxury home market, continually raising the bar for excellence in architecture, interior design, design flexibility, and client service. From stylish single-family residences to multi-million-dollar estates, we’ve built some of the most opulent homes in Southern Nevada’s most desirable communities.

In the early years, neighborhoods such as Country Club Hills, Palisades, Vineyards, and Bellacere in the Summerlin master-planned community weren’t just collections of homes—they were thoughtfully designed environments where families put down roots and memories were made. These communities quickly earned national attention, along with prestigious honors including Home of the Year, Gold Nugget Awards, and Best in American Living recognition.

As the Valley expanded, so did our vision. In Southern Highlands Golf Club, we helped shape entire neighborhoods where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle came together seamlessly. These homes marked an evolution in the early 2000s. During this era, Christopher Homes was recognized with National Sales & Marketing Awards for Best Community in the Nation and Gold Nugget honors for both individual homes and entire residential communities, reinforcing our role as design leader during a period of rapid regional growth.

Home Design Leadership & Client Experience

“The strength of Christopher Homes has always been recognized in our superior design and product,” says Stuhmer. “Because of the market segment we are in, we are continually motivated to be on the leading edge in design. Our homes must be fresh, exciting, and livable, while adapting to ever-changing market demands.”

At the heart of Christopher Homes is a genuine commitment to customer service. That custom homebuilding mindset has always meant building real relationships, with buyers working closely with our team from the first conversation through move-in and beyond. “Our mission has always been to help buyers create the home of their dreams with a minimum of stress or worry,” Stuhmer explains. “The choices we offer—whether for custom or production buyers—go far beyond what they can find elsewhere.” These choices include luxury amenities such as elevators, motor courts, courtyards with fireplaces, detached guest quarters, four-car garages, wine cellars, and more.

The result has been a long list of happy homeowners, a high percentage of repeat buyers, and one of the strongest referral rates in the country.

Innovation Through Every Era

Over time, trends and design shifted again. We saw people wanting more contemporary and modern homes. Wellness, connection, and indoor-outdoor living moved to the forefront. Communities in MacDonald Highlands like Vu, Vu Pointe and SkyVu reflect that evolution. Homes designed for how people live today, while still honoring the craftsmanship and intention that have always defined Christopher Homes.

Innovation in design has earned Christopher Homes more than 200 local, regional, and national awards, including multiple honors for Home of the Year, Best Community in the Nation, Best in American Living, and Best Custom Home in the Nation. In 2003, the International Builders Show selected Christopher Homes to build its official show home—toured by more than 5,000 housing experts from around the world—and awarded it Best Custom Home in the Nation.

A Home Building Legacy Built to Last

Consistency has always been at the heart of Christopher Homes. In every era, the same care, attention to detail, and openness to innovation guide the homes we build. While trends and lifestyles evolve, our focus remains on creating homes that feel timeless, designed to be lived in, loved, and to hold their value for years to come.

After 45 years of building luxury homes in the Las Vegas Valley, one thing is certain: we still love what we do.

Christopher Homes has spent decades shaping the Las Vegas Valley, designing luxury homes and award-winning communities that reflect how people truly want to live. That’s why we’re proud to be recognized as one of the best luxury home builders in Las Vegas. But at the heart of it all is the same excitement that sparked our very first home—the joy of bringing dream homes to life.

As Las Vegas continues to grow, we’re not slowing down, we’re dreaming bigger. Because for us, this isn’t just a business. It’s a passion. And after 45 years, we’re still having fun bringing dream homes to life.

Interested in learning more about our legacy as a leading Las Vegas luxury home builder and our approach to modern home building? Here are a few resources to get you started:

About Christopher Homes – Discover our legacy of architectural excellence

SkyVu Home Collections – Explore our luxury residences

Our Method - See how our approach transforms vision into reality