At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love. This column celebrates the Suncadia staff who plays a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. In this column we introduce you to Chef Jake Brenchley.

Before landing in Suncadia three months ago, Chef Jake worked in Orlando, Florida. “I went to the tourism capital of the U.S. to get what I like to call my ‘masters degree’,” he says, half joking. During his time in the Sunshine State he got to learn and experience all aspects of food and beverage. He worked as chef in management with Disney, Marriott and Salamander Restaurant groups, and was the Corporate Executive Chef of a Hotel Group and the Corporate Chef of Farm to Table.

Life in Suncadia is certainly different than on the East Coast, but one thing that has remained the same is Chef’s passion for working with fresh and local ingredients. “In all our Suncadia restaurants, we use the very best of PNW ingredients fused with various cultural cuisines and flavors to put a unique take on favorite dishes,” says Chef.

Located at the Lodge, Portals Restaurant combines the rustic charm of Washington State with panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains. “We are considered a Modern American restaurant in our flavors but rustic in our plating and presentations to match the Lodge,” says Chef, who loves creating dishes like Cedar Smoked King Salmon with parsnip puree, wild rice pilaf, roasted asparagus and huckleberry gastrique. “All dishes are signature, but each is unique in the use of ingredients from our own chef’s garden.”

There’s no shortage of places to eat at the resort. You could pop in at the Lunch Bucket for a quick casual lunch overlooking the 9th hole on the Prospector Golf Course. At the Inn there’s Gas Lamp Grille, a cozy spot with a fireplace where lunch or dinner is casual yet appetizing. You could make it a fun family affair and head to the Barnyard BBQ at Nelson Farm for traditional comfort food paired with live entertainment. Whatever you end up, just bring your appetite.

“I love the challenge of working at Suncadia,” says Chef. “We have multiple outlets with multiple different food offerings so every day is different and exciting. We have a very talented group of great cooks and I look forward to working more with all of them.”

There was much to celebrate over the weekend as we welcomed 10 new families to the Suncadia community and debuted the brand new swimming pool at Nelson Farm!

On the morning of May 19th, we welcomed dozens of families eager to learn more about River Ridge, a new gated enclave in the heart of Nelson Preserve where the emerald forest and the Cle Elum River meet. Joining the six families who purchased at a previous River Ridge event, an additional 10 families selected their dream homesites, which feature some of the best views in the Preserve. With 16 families ready to build their homes—and only eight more homesites available in Phase 1—we are thrilled to see River Ridge grow into a tight-knit community where active pursuits and contemporary dwelling meet.

The day’s excitement continued right across the street from River Ridge at the opening party of the brand new Nelson pool, where almost 300 guests came to celebrate the beginning of summer. While kids giggled in the splash pad and floated down the rapid mini-river on giant floaties of all shapes and colors (Swan! Pretzel! Tootsie Roll! Sprinkled Donut!), adults relaxed on loungers and looked on from the 28-person hot tub. Because nothing works up an appetite quite like spending all day by the pool, Nellie’s at Nelson Farm Restaurant treated guests to an assortment of delicious dishes, including crab cakes, watermelon and arugula salad, and burgers. Did anyone say Rose? Yup, there was wine, cocktails, a dozen beers on tap and, of course, a summertime soundtrack by a guest DJ.

Here’s to our new River Ridge community and to a fun-filled season at Nelson Farm. See you at the pool!

It’s no accident that many homeowners’ happy memories of Suncadia are filled with sunshine. Located on the sunny eastern slopes of the commanding Cascades, Seattle’s backyard escape enjoys 200+ days of sunshine per year—significantly more than Seattle. And since it’s just 80 miles from the city, you don’t spend time getting here; you spend time being here.

If you’re considering buying a home in our mountain playground, add May 20th to your calendar. That Sunday we are hosting a special Home Tour event and showcasing a collection of open houses, each one entirely unique yet a perfect escape when the coastal rain feels endless. Home highlights include gourmet kitchens, elegant finishes throughout, generous indoor/outdoor spaces for entertaining family and friends, spacious decks and gardens, some even with hot tubs and fire pits.

The homes are set in the core of Suncadia, the most exuberantly active of our neighborhoods. Like the rest of the community, it is a place to relax and unwind, but here, there’s a happy hum of activity—children laughing, water splashing, bike spokes spinning. For kids, Suncadia is the stuff of dreams: a safe, carefree place where they can roam from breakfast ‘til dinner. In this social heart of the Suncadia community, homeowners mix and mingle, passing carefree days by the pool, on the golf course, in the park, or at the dinner table.

All you have to do to participate is stop by either or our two sales offices to pick up a home tour map. Spend an hour or spend the whole day visiting the properties, all the while soaking in the Suncadia community and the fresh mountain air.

There’s much to see and do in Suncadia, and we look forward to welcoming you on May 20th and helping you find the home of your dreams.

At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love.

This new column celebrates all the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. For our first column we introduce you to Megan Smith, Spa Director at Glade Spring Spa.

Prior to joining the Suncadia family, Megan worked in the salon and spa industry for 15 years, most recently as a Master Esthetician for a large hospital-based company. She also sits on the Washington State board for Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Barbering. Though she’s only been at her new position for just over a month, she already knows it’s a special place for guests to visit when they want to relax and maybe even just laze about in luxury. “Our spa is really remarkable,” she says. “The salt soaks and saunas outside are one of my favorite features of the spa. This is a place where people really hang out and truly unplug from their life.”

Built to reflect the spectacular nature that surrounds Suncadia, Glade Spring Spa is a place to enjoy massages, facials and other relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. Like the Mineral Rich Mud Scrub and Wrap, a detoxifying and exfoliating treatment that uses Volcanic Pumice and Coffee Arabica to stimulate circulation, and silt clay with herbal extracts to help smooth and firm the skin. Or the Crystal Rose Revival, a hydrating treatment that begins with an exfoliation using crystallized rose powder and is followed by a warm layer of honey to soften the skin. “The spa has a variety of product lines and services for body, mind and soul,” says Megan. “Another thing I think is important about the spa is that we try to support local companies and products as much as possible, so our retails items include handcrafted candles by Seattle-based company The Beauty of Hope and eco-fabulous jewelry pieces from a Washington company called Tumbleweed Bead.”

Megan says that the spa menu will soon offer some new treatment options—poolside massage, anyone?—and some other surprises. If you haven’t visited the Spa in a while, now is a good time to make an appointment. And make sure to say hi to Megan.