As growth continues across Southern Utah, new residential developments are responding to increasing demand for high-quality housing options that combine convenience, amenities, and modern design. 

One of the latest additions to the rapidly expanding Desert Color community in St. George is The Vue at Desert Color, a $41 million, 300-units resort-style multifamily development designed to elevate apartment living while complementing the area's vibrant master-planned environment.

The first phase of The Vue delivered 180 units across four residential buildings, along with a central clubhouse and extensive recreational amenities. Phase II will include two additional apartment buildings and 120 more units, making it one of the more sizeable multifamily offerings within Desert Color. 

The layout of the units was a critical factor for the developer, which required considerable time getting the design exactly right, said Jory Walker, Principal-in-Charge and Lead Designer for Salt Lake-based Beecher Walker. 

"One of the most interesting aspects of the project was the amount of attention PEG Development devoted to the apartment units themselves," said Walker. "We spent the first [45 days] almost entirely on unit layouts and creating innovative solutions for end units, interior corner units and exterior corner units. In many multifamily projects, those units can become an afterthought. Architects often default to repeating the same floor plan and filling awkward spaces with storage areas or other secondary uses. By carefully studying each unit type, we were able to take advantage of opportunities unique to corner and end units and create more functional, livable spaces."

The Vue fits in well with the surrounding desert landscape and offers residents direct access to an extensive network of walking, jogging, and biking trails that connect throughout the community and is designed to appeal to a wide range of residents, with studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, along with covered assigned parking and top-shelf amenities.

“[The owners] focused on tenant experiences [...] our team provided optimized quality, efficiencies, and value during design, construction, and occupancy phases—each ahead of schedule and under budget," said Ed Deffner, Construction Manager for Sandy-based Layton Construction, who added that his team was able to mitigate rising project costs and work closely with subcontractors to keep the project on track. " We developed our GMP right as interest rates skyrocketed in 2022 (and the) project didn't pencil out and was put on hold. We met with our intended trade partners and committed to each other to keep the project together and make it viable. Team creativity and unity inspired us to find ways to minimize risks, trim costs, and maintain quality."

Architecturally, The Vue embraces a modern aesthetic that reflects the evolving character of Southern Utah's residential market, with the buildings featuring a combination of metal siding, stucco and honed concrete masonry unit (CMU) exterior finishes. Flat rooflines and projecting balconies create visual interest while contributing to the development's contemporary appearance.

The clubhouse serves as the focal point of the community and incorporates similar materials while introducing distinctive architectural features such as butterfly roofs and trellis elements. These design features create shaded gathering spaces and establish a recognizable identity within the larger Desert Color community..