Linthicum Building $10M Mirabel Clubhouse

Clearly the price tag shows it's no ordinary clubhouse. Gary R. Linthicum, president of Linthicum Constructors, tells GlobeSt.com the clubhouse's cost is driven up by its extraordinarily high finish. But that's in keeping with Mirabel's image, a development of Dallas-based Terrabrook. Homes range from $750,000 to nearly $4 million.

Construction starts in August, with completion set for Fall 2003. Hart-Howerton Architects of San Francisco is the designer of the clubhouse, which will service Mirabel's 315 homes sites and 35 golf villas.

The clubhouse is designed to resemble a desert lodge. Amenities will include clay tennis courts, outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness room with men's and women's locker rooms, lounge area, saunas and private hot tubs. The clubhouse also will house a gourmet restaurant and bar.

"We're striving to give the clubhouse an Old World desert lodge appeal," said Andy Holloran, Terrabrook's development manager. "It will have the grandeur, stately appearance of an 80-year-old historic building on the first day it opens."

Linthicum says the design is noticeably influenced by the Frank Lloyd Wright school of thought, boasting deep overhangs with natural stone and wood materials. It will have mesquite floors and a slate roof. That was part of the plan from the onset since the owners have a strong affinity for Wright's architectural philosophy, according to Linthicum.

Linthicum says his firm's upscale clubhouse business is brisk despite economic conditions around the nation. Agreeing with the experts, Linthicum says real estate is simply a better investment than the volatile stock market.

Linthicum also is building the nearby Chiricahua Clubhouse for the Desert Mountain golf community. Homes there run from $900,000 to as much as $10 million, making it one of the costliest residential developments in the state.