Carefully planned central commons establishes a mixed-use community hub
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}

DETAILS

LocationIrvine, California United States
ClientIrvine Community Development Company
SERVICE:
Size1,400 acres

SWA provided planning services related to entitlement and land use for 1,400 acres of land in the City of Irvine, representing the last “flat land” development within the Irvine Ranch. Fundamental to the planning of Woodbury was the concept of a village “commons” with a mix of retail, residential, and office uses, which also includes a recreation center, public community park, and elementary school as well as a series of neighborhood parks, echoing a variety of distinct architectural styles. Equally important was the establishment of the landscape framework that became the backbone of the community, with four major entryways, two green inner loops, and a pedestrian esplanade providing connections between the village commons and the retail center. The enclave connects to the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, an innovative departure at the time from traditional urban park landscapes to ‘California Native Meadow’. It also introduced the first phase of a now-implemented broader regional trail system. SWA worked with the City staff in preparing the General Plan, pre-zoning, and annexation applications. This project received the Pacific Coast Builders Gold Nugget Grand Award in 2004 for the “Best Community Site Plan—100 Acres or More”.

Related Projects

3Roots

A transformed mining site in Mira Mesa, 3Roots captures San Diego’s innovative spirit, drive, and natural beauty. SWA’s work began with the master plan, including 1,800 new homes, 160,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office spaces, a five-acre mobility hub, and over 250 acres of parks and open space. The landscape blends the region’s mining her...

Next C

Next C Water City is a new, fully self-contained sustainable city planned for 500,000 residents. Water was central to the Next C planning concept, supplied by two adjacent rivers and monsoon rains. The city is a system of wetlands, rivers, lakes, and canals, cleansing the water from up-river communities and managing floods during the monsoon season. Working wi...

Amber Bay

The Amber Bay residential development is located on a beautiful rocky promontory that is among the last available parcels along the Dalian shoreline, southeast of the city center. The project features high-end low density modern style residential development including single family villas, townhouses, and low-rise condominiums; shops and seafood restaurants on...

Mission Viejo Civic Core

The City of Mission Viejo hired SWA to analyze its core area for revitalization potential. The area contains a mix of civic, commercial, and recreational uses. A fragmented ownership pattern, dated architectural design, endless surface parking, minimal landscaping, and the lack of a pedestrian-friendly environment hindered the establishment of a town center th...

Magee Ranch

The project site is a beautiful 540-acre hillside ranch in suburban Contra Costa County, California. It was slated for development by the City of Danville as a clustered planned community. The development concept was to preserve the essential beauty of the ranch and to allow some 300 homes to be built with the least possible impact. The City’s Planning C...

NOAH Ethnographic Village

Armenia has set an initiative to increase global tourism and develop a site within its capital city with majestic views of Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark is purported to have landed. SWA developed a strategic plan based on several principles derived from the existing context of the site: first, to capitalize its proximity to important landmarks that allow for ...

Almaza Bay Beach Town

Located on the tranquil and pristine Mediterranean coastline in northwest Egypt, Almaza Bay Beach Town redefines the concept of a resort town. Seamlessly integrating the intimate and relaxed feel of a beach community with the entertainment and excitement of a walkable retail district, this mixed-use development offers an exceptional lifestyle that enriches the...

La Via

Embracing the legacy of Scottsdale and re-imagining its development possibilities, La Via is positioned as a village of the future that looks beyond simple mixed-use functionality. By aggregating innovation-centric businesses, artists-in-residence, and a rich network of open spaces, La Via will engender unique associations and collaborations that will propel N...