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Irvine Company

  • Karissa DiStefano posted an article
    Opening of First Two Affordable Family Apartment Communities in Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine see more

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

    Contact:
    Anne Monaghan                            David Obitz
    Monaghan Communications       KTGY Architecture + Planning
    830.997.0963                                 949.797.8321

     

    Grand Opening of First Two Affordable Family Apartment Communities in Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine

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    KTGY Architecture + Planning Continues a California Legacy of Clean Lines, Elegant Proportions

     

    IRVINE, Calif. - International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is proud to announce its participation in the first affordable housing communities for low-income families in Irvine’s master planned community of Great Park Neighborhoods, which celebrated its grand opening on October 27, 2017. Luminaira was developed by FivePoint Holdings, LLC, Related California and RCC Charitable (Riverside Charitable Corporation).  Espaira was developed by FivePoint, Related, and ETHIC Housing Trust (El Toro Housing Initiative Collaboration). FivePoint’s partnership (Heritage Fields, LLC) is the master developer of Great Park Neighborhoods.

     

    Designed by KTGY, Luminaira and Espaira communities offer a total of 166 affordable apartment homes for low-income families along with a 4,000-square-foot leasing and social services center, complete with kitchen, media lounge, computer center, mailroom and play area. Other amenities include pool, barbeque and picnic pavilion, and dog run. On-site services include after-school programs and educational classes.

     

    Award-winning Solaira at Pavilion Park, which celebrated its grand opening in November 2015, was the first affordable-housing community for seniors in the 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 and RCC Charitable. KTGY was the design architect for all three communities -- Solaira, Luminaira and Espaira.

    According to KTGY Principal David Obitz, the design of Luminaira at Parasol Park and Espaira at Parasol 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 and seamlessly integrated into the master plan community,” said Obitz. “The design is modern and continues a California legacy of simple, clean lines and an efficient structure with elegant proportions. The well-appointed apartment homes have nine-foot ceilings, which is similar to market-rate homes but not typically found in affordable apartments.”

    According to Obitz, these communities will provide exceptional sustainable living at below-market rental rates and offer families access to schools in the award-winning Irvine Unified School District, community services, shopping and entertainment. Luminaira and Espaira are conveniently located to the 133, 241, 5 and 405 freeways, transportation and employers.

    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 countertops, hardwood plank-style flooring, ceiling fans, large closets, some paid utilities, and outdoor private space. The apartments also come with a one-car garage.


    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.
     

    “FivePoint and Related are known for their high-quality living environments and Luminaira at Parasol Park and Espaira at Parasol Park will be a tremendous asset to the City of Irvine and the families that live here,” said Obitz. “Luminaira and Espaira will offer families a beautifully-designed, environmentally-friendly residence with great amenities and a variety of available social services to enhance their daily lives.”
     

    About FivePoint
    FivePoint, headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, designs and develops mixed-use, master-planned communities in coastal California.  FivePoint is developing vibrant and sustainable communities in Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Francisco County that will offer homes, commercial, retail, educational, and recreational elements as well as civic areas, parks, and open spaces. FivePoint’s three communities are: Great Park Neighborhoods® in Irvine, Newhall Ranch® near Valencia, and The San Francisco Shipyard/Candlestick Point in the City of San Francisco. The communities are planned to include approximately 40,000 residential homes and approximately 21 million square feet of commercial space. For additional information, visit www.fivepoint.com.

    About Related California

    Related California, the West Coast affiliate of Related Companies, is a fully integrated real estate firm that develops multifamily residential and mixed-use properties in California.

     

    Since 1989, Related California has undertaken a range of transformational developments from best in class luxury high rise residential properties to the redevelopment of obsolete public housing, spanning a broad spectrum of urban infill, affordable, mixed-income and market rate multi-family developments. The company has a development portfolio of over 14,000 residential units completed or under construction, and more than 2,500 affordable and 4,500 market rate units in pre-development.

     

    Related California has a long history of community partnership, having collaborated with more than 35 municipalities and over 25 non-profit organizations throughout California, and 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. Related California has developed more than $5 billion in assets and has a track record of consistently developing communities that exceed industry benchmarks in design, construction, sustainability and property management.  For more information about Related California, visitwww.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
    Established in 1991, 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. Visit www.ktgy.com

     November 01, 2017
  • BIASC-Staff posted an article
    BIASC’s 2016 BIS Focuses on Education and Culminates by Thanking its Leadership and Members see more

    BIASC.org--Nov 9 and 10, 2016--Riverside,CA--The Building Industry Show (BIS), which was on Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday November 10 at the Riverside Convention Center by the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIASC), “Started the Conversation” by turning its focus towards education.

     

    More than 1,500 attendees came to this year’s show not just to mingle with builders, catch up with professionals in the building industry, and discuss new job prospects, but to also participate in the show’s new format that sought to engage attendees with informative discussions.

     

    This year the show evolved to do more than provide a place for building industry professionals to catch up with colleagues and discuss new job prospects. BIS included insightful Pop-Up Education presentations that covered a range of topics from discussions of how mobile apps are transforming home building; what you need to know about solar: code requirements to future trends; advanced framing techniques; minimizing costs & increasing efficiency; CEU workshops; to design trends for 2017 among other topics.

     

    The goal was to get BIASC members potential answers to these issues such as the skilled labor shortage that BIS addressed during its first ever Skilled Labor Brain Trust, which connected the employers with the educators of potential employees. The Skilled Labor Brain Trust panel discussion was one of the many rich programs that were included in the price of the show floor pass.

     

    Program organizers, the instructors that train the future skilled labor workforce, and the Building Industry Panelist made up of Thomas Steele, HCI; Tanner Schamber, Schamber Electric; and Bruce Wick, OSHA, were all a part of the education-driven discussion panel.

     

    The topics discussed by the dynamic panel during the event included the current and future needs of employers in the industry, the current training programs, and how to connect graduates with employment.

     

    The Building Industry Show Floor culminated Thursday evening with an award ceremony to honor and recognize BIASC’s hard working leadership and dedicated members.

     

    BIASC wishes to extend another congratulation to the following winners which were announced at the 2016 Installation and Award Ceremony Thursday evening after the Building Industry Show Floor closed.

     

    Volunteer of the Year, Greater Sales and Marketing Council: Melissa Auten, Fisher & Paykel

    Volunteer of the Year, Union Contractors Council: Rick Parker, Conco Cement

    Volunteer of the Year, BIASC LA Ventura Chapter: Taleen Mason, Geocon West, Inc.

    Volunteer of the Year, BIASC Orange County Chapter: Alan Boudreau, Boudreau Pipeline

    Volunteer of the Year, BIASC Baldy View Chapter: Ryan Combe, Lennar Homes

    Volunteer of the Year, BIASC Riverside Chapter: Charles Hunt, Primera

    Volunteer of the Year, BILD Foundation: Mary Lynn Coffee, Nossaman LLP

    Volunteer of the Year, 55+ Housing Council: Linda Howard, Linda Howard Interior Designs

    Individual Achievement Award, Local Government Affairs: Scott Ouellette, Williams Homes

    Individual Achievement Award, Community Involvement: John Lavendar, Lennar Homes

    Lifetime Service Award: Jonathan Weldy, Meridian Land Development Company

    2016 Builder of the Year: Tom Grable, TRI Pointe Homes

    President’s Award: Norm Witt, Cook Hill Properties and Valerie Hardman, Outdoor Dimensions

     

    BIASC would also like to congratulate the newly installed 2017 BIASC Governing Board who were also announced during the 2016 Installation and Award Ceremony Thursday evening after the Building Industry Show Floor closed.

     

    BIASC President: Peter Vanek, Meritage Homes

    BIASC Vice President: Tom Grable, TRI Pointe Homes

    BIASC Vice President: Mike Gartlan, KB Home

    BIASC Secretary/Treasurer: Alan Boudreau, Boudreau Pipeline Corp.

    Immediate Past President: Michael Battaglia, CalAtlantic Homes

     

    Builders at Large:

    Greg McWilliams, FivePoint

    Howard Press, Watt Communities

    Bob Yoder, Shea Homes

    Erren O’Leary, Lewis Management Corp.

    Mark Torres, Lennar

    Paul Hernandez, Irvine Company

    Jonathan Weldy, Meridian Land Development

    Dave Bartlett, Brookfield Homes

     

    Associates at Large:                                                                                

    Charles Gale, Metropolitan Water District

    Harry Crowell, AmTrust Surety

    Randy Richards, Reliable Wholesale Lumber

     

    Chapter Immediate Past Presidents:                                                      

    Ali Sahabi, Optimum Group (Baldy View Chapter)                                  

    Glen Longarini, KB Home (Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter)                      

    Jim Yates, Rancho Mission Viejo (Orange County Chapter)                    

    Leonard Miller, Richmond American Homes (Riverside Chapter)

     

    Representative to Councils: Valerie Hardman, Outdoor Dimensions

     

    Representative to CBIA: Wes Keusder, Keusder Homes

     

    BIASC CEO: Mike Balsamo

     

    ***

    About the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.:

    BIASC is a cohesive nonprofit trade association organized into chapters and councils that represents the building industry throughout the counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.  Members of BIASC are active in all aspects of the building, including land development; homebuilding, multi-family and commercial development as well as infrastructure; our membership includes architects, engineers, planners, contractors, suppliers, property owners, subcontractors and associated professionals throughout Southern California.

    BIASC is a full-service organization providing legislative advocacy, educational programming, labor relations, networking and community relations. The association objective is to promote a positive business environment for the building industry. http://www.biasc.org/

     November 14, 2016
  • BIASC-Staff posted an article
    BIASC names Michael Balsamo as the new CEO. see more

    IRVINE, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIASC) is pleased to announce Michael Balsamo as the new Chief Executive Officer for the regional office effective July 18, 2016.

     

    Balsamo, whose previous role was with the BIA as the Executive Officer for the Orange County Chapter (BIAOC), has more than 20 years of experience in land use planning and real estate development in both the public and private sectors.

     

    Mr. Balsamo is a long-time resident of Orange County and graduate of  UC Irvine where he studied both Political Science and Environmental Science. Mike gained experience as a land use planner for the cities of Irvine and Lake Forest following his graduation and has made it his mission to champion building as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable communities.

     

    "Mike's command of issues affecting the [building] industry is key to his leadership of our organization. His keen intellect and wealth of relationships both in the public and private sector make him an excellent advocate for the development community. We are fortunate to have him as our CEO," said Michael Battaglia, BIASC 2016 Board President of CalAtlantic Homes.

     

    "Given the severe housing challenges in our state, it is reassuring to elected officials like myself, that a leader of Mike's caliber is at the helm at BIASC," said Assembly Member Tom Daly.

     

    Lucy Dunn, CEO and President of the Orange County Business Council went on to say that, "Mike has demonstrated great leadership over a long period of time in the public policy arena, BIASC has chosen the right man for the job."

     

    BIASC's new CEO's experience also includes working as a consultant to Irvine Company, Retail Properties Division as a project manager for numerous shopping center developments on the Irvine Ranch, serving as a project manager for Lennar Homes, and serving as the Manager of OC Planning at Orange County Public Works in Santa Ana.

     

    Mike Balsamo will continue to work from BIASC's principle office in Irvine, CA.

     

    About the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.:

     

    BIASC is a full service organization providing legislative advocacy, educational programming, labor relations, networking and community relations. The association objective is to promote a positive business environment for the building industry.http://www.biasc.org/

     

    Click here to see the original press release.