SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -­ Talking Rock, a luxury master-planned community outside Prescott, Ariz., received a Gold Nugget Grand Award at the 45th annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference on June 26, 2008, in San Francisco. The oldest and largest program of its kind, Gold Nuggets honor creative achievements in architectural design and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects internationally.

In total, 520 entries were submitted in various categories, vying for a coveted Gold Nugget Award. Talking Rock bested four finalists to win the Grand Award in the category of Detached Residential Project of the Year. The community also received four awards of merit for the following categories: Best Public/Private Recreational Use Facility, Best Community Site Plan, Best Single Family Detached Home under 2,500 square feet, and Master Planned Community of the Year. The community was designed by award-winning architectural firm, Swaback Partners of Scottsdale, Ariz., with amenity building interiors designed by Swaback Partner's interior design division, Studio V. The community was built by Renaissance Companies and was developed and is owned by Harvard Investments of Scottsdale, Ariz.

The goal of this project was to create a private community with a wide range of lifestyle options for those seeking the best of high country living. More than 1,000 acres of the 3,500 acre community is devoted to open space, leaving open view corridors and spacious homesites. A short drive from Prescott, Ariz., the community offers a remote lifestyle with access to plenty of onsite amenities. Talking Rock's private clubhouse style facility, the Ranch Compound, boasts 32,000 square feet of dining and recreation space, including restaurants, a coffee shop, golf pro shop, and a fitness and spa facility. A Jay Morrish-designed championship golf course spanning 7,350 yards intertwines throughout the property. Additionally, 25 miles of hiking/biking trails connect to nearby preserve land.

Housing options appeal to a variety of buyers, including those seeking a lock-and-leave lifestyle or flexibility of a custom-designed home. Talking Rock offers spacious custom homesites, Ranch Homes and Ranch Cottages. The custom homesites range from one half to five acres in size and are priced from the mid $200,000s. Ranch Homes range from 2,400 to 2,800 square feet and are available from the mid $700,000s. Ranch Cottages range from 1,900 to 2,500 square feet and are priced from the mid-$500,000s. Formerly a working cattle ranch, the history of the land is maintained in the traditional ranch architectural themes. Extensive use of stone, wood, and metal are integrated throughout the community and are part of the design guidelines for custom homes.

The Gold Nugget Awards program is the premier event of the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC). Entries come from 14 Western states and from countries all around the world. Gold Nugget winners share one common denominator: excellence and innovation in addressing complex design/build issues. The competition is sponsored by PCBC and BUILDER, a national magazine of the housing industry. For more information, visit www.goldnuggetawards.com.

About Talking Rock
Located in a peaceful, rural setting, just minutes from Prescott, Talking Rock is a 3,600-acre private, luxury home community with a casual western lifestyle and the amenities of an exclusive country club. The Jay Morrish-designed 7,350-yard championship golf course intertwines through more than 1,000 acres of preserved open space, presenting residents with the spaciousness of Arizona's high country. Talking Rock offers spacious custom home sites, as well as Ranch Cottages, Ranch Homes and custom homes designed in an authentic ranch style and built by the area's finest craftsmen. Talking Rock is a development of Harvard Investments, a Scottsdale, Ariz. based real estate development company respected for its high quality, residential projects throughout the Southwest. The Talking Rock golf course and Ranch Compound are professionally managed by OB Sports. More information on Talking Rock and Harvard Investments, Inc. can be reached at 877-922-4440 or www.talkingrockranch.com.

Media Contact:
Mary Vinzant
Olson Communications, Inc.
480-368-7999
mary@olsoncomm.com