For 50 years the Shangrila Resort stood on lush grounds in the middle of Paradise Valley. Visitors to the casual 11-bungalow guest ranch often returned year after year to enjoy the Western ambience and pristine desert surroundings.
Three years ago the owners decided to sell, and Keith and Patty Withyeombe bought the property to build their own version of utopia. The existing buildings were knocked down, and the majority of the furniture, appliances and plumbing fixtures were donated to the Andre House, a local homeless shelter. Trees and cactus were boxed up during construction and set aside for future replanting.