Two KTGY-designed Affordable Housing Communities Break Ground in Irvine

September 21, 2016

The Architecture Continues a California Legacy of Clean Lines, Elegant Proportions

IRVINE, CA – International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning announced today that two residential rental communities are under way in Irvine, Calif., Luminaira at Beacon Park and Espaira at Beacon Park. Luminaira and Espaira will be the first two affordable family communities located in Irvine’s Great Park Neighborhoods. Luminaira and Espaira communities are a collaborative effort between FivePoint, Related California, Riverside Charitable Corporation and ETHIC Housing (El Toro Housing Initiative Collaboration). FivePoint is the master developer of Great Park Neighborhoods.

“We are pleased to work with Related California, Riverside Charitable Corporation, and ETHIC on these new communities that will provide quality housing for dozens of families,” said Emile Haddad, FivePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As California continues to face a severe housing shortage, the leadership of our partners has never been more important in providing quality, affordable housing.”

Award-winning Solaira at Pavilion Park, which celebrated its grand opening last November, was the first affordable-housing community for seniors in Great Park Neighborhoods – and the first to open in Irvine in 20 years. Solaira, a 221-unit senior apartment community, is LEED Gold certified and was a collaboration between FivePoint, Related California and Riverside Charitable Corporation. KTGY was the design architect for all three communities — Solaira, Luminaira and Espaira.

According to KTGY Principal David Obitz, the design of Luminaira at Beacon Park and Espaira at Beacon Park was inspired by the architecture of Irving Gill and boasts clean lines and a neutral color palette, welcoming residents and guests with arched entries that establish a sense of arrival. The stacked-flats feature tuck-under garages to maximize outdoor space and community areas as well as provide additional parking for guests. There is also electrical vehicle parking.

“The primary goal of the architecture was to create a sustainable neighborhood that is indistinguishable from market-rate housing,” said Obitz. “The design is modern and continues a California legacy of simple, clean lines and an efficient structure with elegant proportions.”

A total of 166 new, energy-efficient affordable apartments for low-income families will be built on approximately 10.7 acres in Beacon Park. Residents will have access to a social services center, complete with kitchen, media lounge, computer center, mailroom and play area. Other amenities will include a pool, dog run, barbeque area and picnic pavilion. On-site supportive services will include after school programs and educational classes.

These communities will provide top-tier sustainable living at an affordable price and offer families access to schools in the award-winning Irvine Unified School District, community services and entertainment.  Luminaira and Espaira are conveniently located to the 133, 241, 5 and 405 freeways

Both communities offer spacious two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from approximately 809 – 1,129 square feet. Each apartment home features a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with Energy Star refrigerator and dishwasher, solid-surface counter tops, hardwood plank-style flooring, ceiling fans, large closets, some paid utilities, and outdoor private space.

Obitz reports that both apartment communities have been designed to achieve a Gold certification level in the GreenPoint Rated system administered by Build It Green, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource efficient buildings in California.

“We think of home as a base from which families can thrive,” said Obitz. “Luminaira at Beacon Park and Espaira at Beacon Park will offer families a beautifully designed, environmentally-friendly residence with great amenities and a variety of available social services to enhance their daily lives.”

Luminaira at Beacon Park and Espaira at Beacon Park are expected to be completed in 2017. For leasing information, see www.espairaliving.com and www.luminairaliving.com.

About FivePoint
FivePoint owns and oversees some of the largest mixed-used projects in California, including Great Park Neighborhoods. The heart of the company’s philosophy is to build sustainable communities that encourage an active lifestyle. Headquartered in Orange County, FivePoint has been involved with the planning, design and development of communities for more than 10 years. www.fivepoint.com

About Related California
Related California is a fully integrated real estate firm that develops affordable and market rate multifamily and mixed-use residential properties in California. Since opening the West Coast headquarters in 1989, the company has completed more than 10,000 residences and partnered with more than 20 municipalities throughout California. Related California has successfully developed and managed a broad range of property types throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. The Related California portfolio includes a pipeline of more than $3 billion in developments. For more information about Related California, visit www.relatedcalifornia.com

About Riverside Charitable Corporation
For 25 years, Riverside Charitable Corporation (RCC) has been a provider of affordable housing and charitable services that includes professional social and educational programs for families and the elderly. To date, RCC has helped 123 affordable communities throughout California. Their homes are created using combinations of bond financing, low-income housing tax credits and a variety of government resources. www.riversidecharitable.org

About ETHIC Housing
ETHIC (El Toro Housing Initiative Collaboration) was established by a coalition of social service agencies to help provide affordable housing on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro land for extremely low-income families. It includes Orange County Community Housing Corporation, American Riding Club for the Handicapped, SBC Community Homeless Coalition.

About Great Park Neighborhoods
Great Park Neighborhoods is a master-planned community located adjacent to the Orange County Great Park in the heart of Orange County, California, in the City of Irvine. The multi-generation neighborhoods include a variety of residential choices with features that encourage neighborhoods to connect with each other and with nature. Great Park Neighborhoods is ultimately envisioned to include an innovative blend of “main street” retail, office, commercial and educational uses. Walking and biking trails are incorporated into the neighborhoods and will connect to open space, future neighborhoods, the Orange County Great Park and to the larger Irvine and Orange County Bikeway systems. www.greatparkneighborhoods.com

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years in 2016, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Call 888.456.5850 or visit www.ktgy.com, Facebook, TwitterLinkedIn, InstagramVimeoYouTube