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05.26.26
Business Insights and Spotlights
Heritage Homes: The vision behind SunSet Valley in Horace
By Heritage Homes staff
Rendering of SunSet Valley community in Horace, North Dakota.
Heritage Homes shares how they are designing communities that truly feel like home in Horace, North Dakota.
In today’s housing landscape, innovation is often tied to materials, finishes or technology. But sometimes, the most meaningful innovation is quieter, it’s the kind that changes how people live, connect and grow every day.
For trusted local homebuilder Heritage Homes, that idea began with a simple question: What if a community could be designed not just for a moment in life, but for the entirety of it?
That question became the blueprint for something different and the foundation of SunSet Valley in Horace.
“At the very beginning, the vision behind SunSet Valley wasn’t just to develop land or build homes. It was to create something you could feel the moment you entered it,” said Tyrone Leslie, president of Heritage Homes. “We wanted to design a place where people felt a sense of pride, connection and belonging. Over time, that vision has become even clearer. It became less about what we’re building and more about how people will live and create memories here.”
This 135-home boutique community reflects more than a new development. It reflects over three decades of building in the Fargo-Moorhead region and understanding what truly makes a place feel like home.
Rethinking the way communities are built
Traditionally, neighborhoods have been designed around specific phases of life. Families start in one place, grow out of it and often have to leave behind the community they love. SunSet Valley was designed to challenge that idea.
Rather than separating homeowners by life stage, Heritage Homes took a more connected approach, one that recognizes that life changes and that the right community should be able to grow with you.
By integrating multiple housing styles into one cohesive neighborhood, SunSet Valley creates a rare opportunity: a place where individuals and families at different stages of life can live side by side, connected not just by proximity, but by shared experience.
Design that feels as good as it looks
SunSet Valley isn’t defined by a single feature, it’s shaped by a series of thoughtful decisions that influence how the community looks, feels and functions over time.
Curved streets soften the landscape. Varied home placements create character and individuality. Green spaces and gathering areas are woven throughout, naturally encouraging interaction, movement and connection.
“To me, community goes far beyond rooftops and square footage,” Leslie said. “It’s about how a neighborhood brings people together, how kids play, how neighbors connect and how families grow into the space. It’s about designing an environment that naturally fosters relationships, comfort and a true sense of belonging. If we’ve done it right, it won’t just look different, it will feel different.”
Two lifestyles, one community
At SunSet Valley, that vision comes to life through two distinct, but connected ways of living.
The Heritage Homes Collection
The single-family homes reflect the craftsmanship Heritage Homes has built their reputation on. With both two-story and rambler plans, these homes are designed for flexibility, open layouts, the ability to support growing families and evolving needs.
Imagine starting your day with a walk along scenic, lit paths, spending time at the pool or pavilion, and unwinding in spaces designed for both connection and quiet. With everything from a dog park to a zen garden and optional low-maintenance living, life here simply feels easier.
The Ranch at SunSet Valley
The Ranch offers a different kind of experience, centered on ease, simplicity and intentional living, especially for homeowners 55+ looking for a lifestyle that feels both active and low-maintenance.
With main-level primary suites and exterior maintenance taken care of, homeowners can spend less time managing a home and more time enjoying it.
From mornings at the fitness center to afternoons by the pool, it’s easy to settle into a natural rhythm. With two pickleball courts, walking paths and a clubhouse designed for gathering, connecting with neighbors feels effortless.
A community built around real life
What sets SunSet Valley apart is that it was never meant to be just a collection of homes. From the beginning, it was designed as a complete living experience.
“There was a moment during the planning process where everything really clicked,” Leslie said. “We stepped back and realized this wasn’t just another development. It was something unique, something that hasn’t truly been seen before in this area. That’s when it became clear: SunSet Valley isn’t meant to compete with other communities, it’s meant to stand on its own.”
That same philosophy carries into the homes themselves.
“Today’s homes need to do more than just look beautiful, they need to support real life,” said vice president, Troy Mattern. “That means spaces where kids can unwind, areas that make working from home feel natural and small everyday comforts, like starting your morning with coffee in your own private bedroom retreat.”
These aren’t trends for the sake of trends. They’re thoughtful responses to how life actually happens inside a home.
A place to begin and stay
After more than 30 years of building homes in this region, one thing has become clear: people don’t just want a place to live, they want a place they can stay.
SunSet Valley was designed with that in mind.
It may be where someone makes this their first home, or where someone else chooses to simplify and enjoy a new pace of life. What makes it meaningful is that those moments can happen within the same community.
Because the goal has never been just to build homes. It’s to build a place where people can settle in, stay connected and continue living their lives, right where they are.
Open 5 days a week
Heritage Homes is the only builder in the Fargo-Moorhead area that has 5 model homes open 5 days a week.
6841 Sunrise Point, Horace: The Sedona Model Home & Welcome Center
6440 Sun Valley Blvd, Horace: The Promenade Model Home & Welcome Center
Monday – Thursday: Noon-5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: VIP Appointment
Sunday: 1-4:30 p.m.
HeritageFargo.com | 701-281-7184
Continue reading in the Bridge
This article was originally featured in the April–June 2026 issue of The Bridge. Discover more insights from regional leaders that show how businesses are responding to change and putting new ideas in motion.
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