Client:

The Irvine Company

Details:

1,220 Acres
4,500 Multi/Single family homes
Retail Center
100 Acres preserved open space
25 Acre community park
2 School sites
Extensive trail system

Type:
Private

Expertise:
Neighborhood Crafting
Master Plans
Grading Design
Environmental Support
Computer Modeling


Portola Springs

Irvine, CA

The community of Portola Springs has significant geographic and historical features that have been preserved and incorporated into a community of five distinctive residential enclaves featuring 4,500 single and multi-family homes. The site has varied topography that transitions from relatively flat ground to rolling hills with the Lomas Ridge as a backdrop.

The site was home to Native American inhabitants who used the natural spring for water and was visited by Gaspar de Portola during the explorer’s expedition and encampment on the site in the late 1800’s. The master plan has set aside a 100 acre preserve in the Tomato Springs enclave featuring interactive exhibits and native plants and grasses. This preserve is adjacent to the 25 acre Community Park and a Community Center. Care was also taken to preserve the eucalyptus windrows that have been on site for decades as well as avocado orchards that surround two of the enclaves. Using these site conditions as opportunities for a unique community TRG Land conceptualized five distinctive residential enclaves connected by an extensive multi-use trail system that links residents, schools, parks, recreational areas and natural preserves. The collaborative design team includes EDAW, Stantec, and Digital Preview.