Detached,
The community of Westpark indeed was developed at the peak of the last recession. California Pacific Homes and Standard Pacific Homes were the only 2 active builders during that time. Both continued to have close relationship with TIC. Cal Pac developed some attached products like Brios and Adventura. It also developed the infant version of the detached cluster condos. They were Travilla and Brindisi. It also experimented with the larger detached homes like Cortinna. The overall concept was a good strategy offering low square footage and high density solution. The homes targeted the entry level buyers and they did extremely well. The majority of the home buyers were Asians.
Eva,
Age targeted projects are extremely difficult to pencil out in area of high land cost. Due to the single story requirement the footprint took up most of the land. The density of the single story homes is around 5 units per acre. Just the raw land alone is valued at $900,000 per lot. The alternative solution is to create stacked flats with an exterior elevator and catwalks. The solution is a glorified apartment. Only then the ground level units have direct access from the garage. The attached town homes by Shea were built in many places and are extremely popular in the Sacramento and the outskirt of the Bay area where land prices is not at a premium. So far not a single age restricted project got built in Irvine. Stan Pac did a hybrid project that had some plans targeted the seniors but the prices were at $900,000 in Northpark Square. Unless the senior is very wealthy otherwise the Palm Desert and Sun cities in Arizona are still the best buy. The elevator proposed in the Shea project is very slow. I did a similar Shea project in Northern Ca. It took 2 minutes for the elevator to arrive at the lower level and another 2 to get up to the second floor. The total time elapsed was 5 minutes because the accordion style gate almost snapped my fingers off.
Laing,
Shady Canyon was a community sensitively designed to nestle into the existing terrains. The contour of the land was not disturbed. The landscape concept utilized all California native vegetations. The water usage is minimal and was awarded to honor for the best design community of the Pacific Rim. The merit was its sustainable design and preservation of all natural habitat and indigenous animal species. The architectural design guideline was researched to resemble the secrets that help to produce classic communities of the by gone era like Montecito, Rolling Hills, and Rancho Santa Fe. The community was designed to have the flavor that are similar to communities anchored in understated tradition and the taste level that reflect in old money. John McMonigle was a farm boy who grew up in the field of Oklahoma. He knew the concept of old money even though he grew up poor. He is successful because he listens to his clients and treated his peers with the utmost respect. He has keen observation for good aesthetic in homes and knew how to package himself as well as the homes he represents. People like him because he is sincere. With his wealth he could have been very “cocky” but his demeanor is very pleasant. His wife Robin contributed a lot to charity work as well as the OC homeless organizations. They both dress well and are regular South Coast Plaza boutiques. Many competitor RE agents talk bad about him envious of his success. I hope to restore his good reputation because he is genuinely a sincere guy.
Shady Canyon is famous not because of John McMonigle, Mark M, Shaun Green, Garret Anderson, and Tiger Wood. It is the understated design and the level of sophisticated pedigree approach to landscape and architectural solutions. This was a community that swept awards in regional, national, and Pacific Rim competitions.
Some see the beauty in the land while others see beauty next to water. Crystal Cove is no doubt stunning. The designer who wrote the guideline for Shady Canyon also land planned Crystal Cove years ago. The creations were inspired by the classic communities of the early California.
