Desert Pines Golf Club closed on Sunday after 30 years of operation. The course is gone. What replaces it will be one of the largest affordable housing projects in Nevada's history.

Developers plan to build more than 1,566 housing units and educational facilities on the property at Bonanza and Pecos in east Las Vegas as part of the city's Our Future East Las Vegas Plan.

Developer McCormack Baron Salazar and nonprofit partner Urban Strategies Inc. are leading the $500 million project, according to Kaempfer Crowell. On its website, Desert Pines Golf Club posted a farewell message.

"We are deeply grateful to the thousands of golfers, members, and staff who made Desert Pines a cherished part of the Las Vegas golf scene over the years. Thank you for the memories, it's been an honor to be your course," reported Fox5 Vegas.

Golfers visiting in the course's final days expressed sadness.

"I'm very disappointed because I'm just getting into golf," one golfer said, as reported by Fox5 Vegas. "I really enjoyed this track. It's sad they're closing it," another said, per Fox5 Vegas.

The Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved the land-use plan for the 95-acre redevelopment project on July 16, 2025, according to Kaempfer Crowell. The project will include 17 mixed-use parcels with affordable housing, market-rate rental homes, townhomes for sale, and single-family homes.

"It's not just about the redevelopment of the golf course," said Dina Babsky, director of economic and urban development for the City of Las Vegas. "It's truly about our smart land use, our intent to diversify housing options in Ward 3 and the greater Las Vegas community."

The plan also includes a College of Southern Nevada training center, 10 acres of recreational space, and an early education campus.

Developers expect to break ground on the first affordable housing parcel in 2027 and begin construction on the final Phase I parcel in 2030. They expect to complete the overall project by 2036.

Growing housing demand has forced the closure of several Las Vegas golf courses, including Desert Pines.

Why Las Vegas Golf courses are disappearing

Desert Pines is not alone. The Las Vegas Golf Center, a nine-hole lighted course on 65 acres owned by Harry Reid International Airport, canceled its lease and shut down operations.

The Royal Links golf course in Sunrise Manor stopped operating in December and is being eyed for housing development. The Wynn Golf Club also closed permanently.

"There's very little land left available for our housing and redevelopment purposes," Babsky said, per 8 News Now.

Funding for the Desert Pines project comes from multiple sources. The Nevada State Infrastructure Bank approved a $25 million loan. Clark County contributed $8 million in affordable housing funds. Gov. Joe Lombardo expressed support, calling it "the largest affordable housing project in Nevada history," per KTNV.

Do you think converting golf courses into affordable housing is the right move for growing cities like Las Vegas? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi