Lambert Ranch in Irvine

[Irvine_Dreamer]

I agree with everyone who complained about parking, refreshment, and etc.
Not even a bottle of water on a hot day like today?
And portable toilets on over a million dollar housing project site?
Good job on pissing people off!

On the other hand, I generally liked all the plans, use of arches inside the homes, and etc.
Maybe it's just me, but Field Plan 1 looked much larger than the similarly sized TIC products.
If TIC wants to recyle plans, this is the one they should copy.
If I can afford 900K home, I would definitely pick this over TIC's boring products w/ MR.
But only if it's located away from the Lame Hill with wonderful landfill view.

 

[IndieDev]

Damn a million bucks for Landfill Ranch? That's crazy man, crazy.

 

[iacrenter]

I will check LR on a weekday when there are no crowds and will be sure to bring my own water and snacks

 

[The Motor Court Company]

the toll road is definitely audible. We can hear cars zipping by outside of the Field models, even with helicopters flying over. However it is not as bad as Las Venatas/Sevilla/Ironwood location. So I think it will become tolerable.

the landfill view is not as bad as I thought - I cannot really see the landfill but I can see the garbage trucks on the other side of the toll road climbing up - the landfill is scheduled to close 40 years from now it probably will grow more visible in the future.

the cell tower is really good for cell phone reception - signal strength is off the roof; but some people may worry about the radiation.

It definitely feels very remote it is quite isolated.

Now on the good things:
1. the floor plans offer a lot of variety and options; very refreshing
2. en-suite bedrooms are nice
3. bi-fold doors really opens up the space
4. arch walkways are a nice touch
5. the entrance is grand and I like it lead into the ranch house
6. the ranch house is spacious and generous.

Overall I think TNHC does an excellent job building these homes - but the overall location, is F for Landfill Ranch.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

The porches, indoor outdoor relationship, and some non stucco box styles are all very refreshing. TNHC did an excellent job in executing the homes on a $50 million parcel of land. Given 150 homes will be built each raw lot is about $300k on the average. Construction cost of these style homes is obviously higher per sf than the typical $50/sf TIC boxes. My guess these well constructed homes appear to be in the $85/sf range. The builder may have spent $340k to build a 4,000 sf home, $300k for the lot, and $60k for site improvements. The baseline price is $700k for a 4,000sf home and $600k for a 3,000sf home. For a 5,000sf home it is about $800k. 50% profit margins should respectively place the 3000 sf in the $900k, 4,000 sf in the $1.05m and 5,000 sf in the $1.2m.

 

[panda]

So is lambert ranch going to have the 24 hour gate guard? I member reading that lambert is going to be the shady canyon of north side of irvine. Iho, were you impressed with the grand opening?

 

[OCgasman]

So is lambert ranch going to have the 24 hour gate guard? I member reading that lambert is going to be the shady canyon of north side of irvine. Iho, were you impressed with the grand opening?

It's no Shady Canyon. 

 

[test]

So is lambert ranch going to have the 24 hour gate guard? I member reading that lambert is going to be the shady canyon of north side of irvine. Iho, were you impressed with the grand opening?

LMAO they don't even have a traffic light at the entrance!

 

[irvinehomeowner]

So is lambert ranch going to have the 24 hour gate guard? I member reading that lambert is going to be the shady canyon of north side of irvine. Iho, were you impressed with the grand opening?

LMAO they don't even have a traffic light at the entrance!

I noticed that too... is there another exit/entrance to head east on Portola? Or I guess there is nothing over there so no need to head that way.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Iho, were you impressed with the grand opening?

Didn't even get that far... drove in... parked on one of those streets and then decided it wasn't worth the trouble and drove back out. The clubhouse looks nice from what I could see.

We'll probably check it out some other time but it's not even something we are considering purchasing because of the location and the price. I'm sure the floorplans are nice... but a 2700sft house with only a Great Room and a 2-car garage? TNHC has been working with TIC too much.

 

[ps99472]

Another exit onto Ridge Valley for that left.. Bit cumbersome

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

In 25 years the trash dump behind Portola Springs and Lambert Ranch may looks like this. In 1980 the La Puente Landfill was the same level with the 60 freeway. This landfill 32 years ago was roughly the same size as Bowerman landfill. Each of the layers represents 20' of trash and currently the trash mound is 350' higher than the freeway below.

 

[rkp]

I was there friday, saturday, and sunday and did the dirt preview a month ago.  clearly i am interested in this community.  TNHC floorplans are 10x better than anything from TIC.  Sure they have no 3 car garages in the field but compare that to the TIC san marino plan 2 with field plan 3 and its a world of difference.  in the same size lot and same size house foot print, you get a formal dining room, a loft, and bathrooms in all bedrooms.  in san marino 2, you get no loft, and no formal dining room.  there is literally only 1 room in san marino houses for everyone to hang out and the rest are bedrooms. 

the toll road doesnt bother me because it is very faint and with more houses built out, will be less of an issue.  when i went for the dirt preview, it was at 5pm and i was there for an hour so heard the peak of the noise with rush hour.  it really is not that bad and i imagine with houses built out, it will be less of an issue.  in any case, there is no perfect and you are either close to major roads, freeways, or something in all of these new developments. 

however, health is a big  concern and i havent figured out how i feel about being so close to the landfill yet.  some things to consider though, its .75 miles from the closest edge of the landfill to the highest houses on the hill.  from the field, its over a mile.  and the closest edge of stonegate is 1.4 miles.  from my understanding, the health risk is dirty water coming down from the landfill into the soil of these properties. 

i get the parking issues but this was a grand opening.  i remember woodbury's opening where you had to park a mile away and take a shuttle.  not sure what you guys were expecting but i thought it was really nice that they had tons of people to help.  the models do have parking and it will open up once the crowds are manageable.  in any case, check it out and then go check out some of TIC's properties and you will be amazed by the difference.

and by the way, i did see catalina once out of the 4 days i visited...

 

[Arman]

I was there friday, saturday, and sunday and did the dirt preview a month ago.  clearly i am interested in this community.  TNHC floorplans are 10x better than anything from TIC.  Sure they have no 3 car garages in the field but compare that to the TIC san marino plan 2 with field plan 3 and its a world of difference.  in the same size lot and same size house foot print, you get a formal dining room, a loft, and bathrooms in all bedrooms.  in san marino 2, you get no loft, and no formal dining room.  there is literally only 1 room in san marino houses for everyone to hang out and the rest are bedrooms. 

the toll road doesnt bother me because it is very faint and with more houses built out, will be less of an issue.  when i went for the dirt preview, it was at 5pm and i was there for an hour so heard the peak of the noise with rush hour.  it really is not that bad and i imagine with houses built out, it will be less of an issue.  in any case, there is no perfect and you are either close to major roads, freeways, or something in all of these new developments. 

however, health is a big  concern and i havent figured out how i feel about being so close to the landfill yet.  some things to consider though, its .75 miles from the closest edge of the landfill to the highest houses on the hill.  from the field, its over a mile.  and the closest edge of stonegate is 1.4 miles.  from my understanding, the health risk is dirty water coming down from the landfill into the soil of these properties. 

i get the parking issues but this was a grand opening.  i remember woodbury's opening where you had to park a mile away and take a shuttle.  not sure what you guys were expecting but i thought it was really nice that they had tons of people to help.  the models do have parking and it will open up once the crowds are manageable.  in any case, check it out and then go check out some of TIC's properties and you will be amazed by the difference.

and by the way, i did see catalina once out of the 4 days i visited...

I agree with rkp. I've been there 3x over this past week or so, and the noise from the toll road was barely noticeable, and that was when I was *trying* to notice it. I thought that the noise from Portola was more (also barely there and only when I tried to notice it). I agree that as the houses get put in along with more trees and landscaping that the noise will get even better absorbed.

I also agree that the parking issues were irrelevant and to be expected on a grand-opening weekend.

Some of the floor plans are quite spectacular in and of themselves, even more  so when compared to TIC. I've been looking at new homes in OC for the past 3 years or so, and the only home to come close to being quite as spectacular as Plan 2 of The Grove was Plan 1 of Alta in San Clemente (Standard Pacific Homes). Unfortunately, San Clemente is too far south for my needs. I figure I have the option of looking for another 3 or more years for a similarly spectacular floor plan, or I can take the plunge. I think I'll be taking the plunge.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I was there friday, saturday, and sunday and did the dirt preview a month ago.  clearly i am interested in this community.  TNHC floorplans are 10x better than anything from TIC.  Sure they have no 3 car garages in the field but compare that to the TIC san marino plan 2 with field plan 3 and its a world of difference.  in the same size lot and same size house foot print, you get a formal dining room, a loft, and bathrooms in all bedrooms.  in san marino 2, you get no loft, and no formal dining room.  there is literally only 1 room in san marino houses for everyone to hang out and the rest are bedrooms. 

Sure... Plan 3 is nice, but what about Plan 1 and Plan 2 in the field? 2700sft and 2900ft and that's all they got? Even without MRs, for $900k... that's a bit high when that can get you a nice 3CWG in better parts of Irvine.

If you want to make a better comparison for Plan 3 in The Field, for high $900k, I think would rather get the Plan 1 at Los Colinas... no loft but you get a master retreat, larger storage space in the garage (almost tandem) AND a formal living room.

Again... at 2700sft... there should be better execution of function living spaces... heck... there are homes less than 2500sft in Irvine with better execution for the same price.

It's sad that builders today can't figure out how to put 5 bedrooms and a 5/6-space downstairs into 2700-3000sft (not everyone is giant Austrian like me).

 

[rkp]

Sure... Plan 3 is nice, but what about Plan 1 and Plan 2 in the field? 2700sft and 2900ft and that's all they got? Even without MRs, for $900k... that's a bit high when that can get you a nice 3CWG in better parts of Irvine.

If you want to make a better comparison for Plan 3 in The Field, for high $900k, I think would rather get the Plan 1 at Los Colinas... no loft but you get a master retreat, larger storage space in the garage (almost tandem) AND a formal living room.

Again... at 2700sft... there should be better execution of function living spaces... heck... there are homes less than 2500sft in Irvine with better execution for the same price.

It's sad that builders today can't figure out how to put 5 bedrooms and a 5/6-space downstairs into 2700-3000sft (not everyone is giant Austrian like me).

we have to make apples to apples comparisons so you have to let go of the 3CWGs.  and i completely agree that smaller houses of the past feel much more massive than a lot of the new houses.  do you recall my thread on volume vs sq ft?  a lot of it has to do with volume of the house and my in-laws 2400 '92 stan pac house feels so much bigger than new 3000 sq ft houses. 

fair point on comparing to las colinas and to be honest, i havent visited them in ages.  will look at them closely again.

 

[The Motor Court Company]

It is easy to beat TIC's recycled one-room floor plans. But I still appreciate TNHC for their fresh approach. The biggest problem is the actively growing landfill, which is not something TNHC can control. You may not see it today, but years from now it could become visible. Seeing a mountain of trash right above your backyard is a very unique experience, but I am not sure that's worth 1+ million dollars. Health risk from polluted ground water is not something you can just simply ignore.

If you can wait another 3 years, perhaps Orchard Hills could be open by then. I'd pick Orchard Hills over any of the new developments today, strictly on location. If there are enough suckers buying Lambert Ranch, TIC may open Orchard Hills sooner to offer similar products such that Lambert Ranch buyers may regret buying too soon.

 

[rkp]

Health risk from polluted ground water is not something you can just simply ignore.

agreed.  this is why we cancelled our augusta purchase in columbus square.  but portola and parts of stonegate are just as close or almost as close to the landfill and i dont recall health issues being discussed for those developments.  my point is that is lambert ranch any more dangerous than neighboring portola springs? 

and groundwater being contaminated doesnt just affect nearby residents but all of the areas served by IRWD. 

we have waited to buy since 2003 and have looked at every new development in irvine and most of south county since then.  i still have almost every brochure and price sheet from those developments!  i cant wait 3 years for orchard hills because when that opens up, IHS will create some moniker that will stick and remind everyone why orchard hills sucks and then you will be mentioning a new better development opening a few years later. 

for me its, its either woodbury resale, convincing san marino to drop $100K or give me a house with landscaping and interior done, or lambert ranch.  lambert ranch will get eliminated if i believe that my family's health is at risk.

 

[Arman]

It is easy to beat TIC's recycled one-room floor plans. But I still appreciate TNHC for their fresh approach. The biggest problem is the actively growing landfill, which is not something TNHC can control. You may not see it today, but years from now it could become visible. Seeing a mountain of trash right above your backyard is a very unique experience, but I am not sure that's worth 1+ million dollars. Health risk from polluted ground water is not something you can just simply ignore.

If you can wait another 3 years, perhaps Orchard Hills could be open by then. I'd pick Orchard Hills over any of the new developments today, strictly on location. If there are enough suckers buying Lambert Ranch, TIC may open Orchard Hills sooner to offer similar products such that Lambert Ranch buyers may regret buying too soon.

Since 2007, Orchard Hills has always been 3 years away. Yes, it could be open in 3 years, but it also could not be. At least as of a couple years ago, TIC used to have it on their website. Now it's completely disappeared. Furthermore, who knows if they'll just put in boring Irvine Pacific floor plans, recycled from all their other developments. Those are the 2 big problems: who knows when it'll open, and who knows if they'll have any interesting floor plans. I can certainly wait 3 years, but not willing to wait an unknown number of years for something that I may not even like.

 

[qwerty]

regarding the groundwater issue, maybe i dont understand this issue very well, but filthy groundwater would be an issue if you had a well nearby that you were directly getting the water from and drinking it right? The water coming into your house is coming through pipes and is clean water that has been treated by the IRWD, so can someone explain what i am misunderstanding here?