Townhome communities of the early aughts often exemplified cookie-cutter design with beige boxes stacked side by side. But today’s home builders are shaking things up, introducing vibrant color palettes and mixed exterior materials. A number of modern townhome developments have sprung up in Irvine, many of them offering resident amenities and private roof decks. If you’re in the market for a new home that’s anything but bland, check out these four design-forward communities.
1. Evergreen at Rise
Developer: Pulte Homes
Address: 248 Merit
Priced from: $717,990
Evergreen is part of Great Park’s new home neighborhood, Rise, a family-friendly community dotted with parks, pools, gardens and greenhouses. Each two- and three-bedroom residence showcases oversized windows, designer-selected flooring, nine- to ten-foot ceilings, and contemporary finishes. There are three floorplans to choose from, featuring two-car garages, private outdoor spaces, third-floor laundry rooms and luxurious owners’ retreats.
2. MDL Irvine
Developer: Intracorp USA
Address: 17822 Gillette Avenue
Priced from: low-$600,000s
Experience resort living at MDL Irvine, a gated community of 137 urban townhomes featuring an abundance of onsite amenities. Go for a dip in the swimming pool and spa, challenge your neighbors to a game of bocce ball, or host a dinner party in the stylishly-appointed clubhouse. Have your pick of two collections of spacious, three-story townhomes — all without Mello Roos. MDL townhomes are priced from the low-$600,000s and come with two to three bedrooms plus a den, up to 1,841 square feet of living space, an attached two-car garage and a private deck (as per plan). MDLx homes, which start from the mid-$800,000s, boast three to four bedrooms, rooftop sky lounges and measure up to 2,206 square feet.
3. Fringe at Novel Park
Developer: Taylor Morrison
Address: 143 Mirth
Priced from: high-$600,000s
Those seeking the feel of a single-family residence will want to check out Fringe at Novel Park, a collection of three-story, paired townhomes that range from 1,267 to 1,724 square feet. Two- and three-bedroom layouts are available, complete with premium appliances, quartz kitchen countertops, shaker-style cabinetry and smart home technology. The buildings represent Mid-century Modern and Abstract Traditional architecture, touting stone, stucco and wood-look cladding, varied rooflines and dark-trimmed windows. Part of the Novel Park master-planned community, residents of Fringe will benefit from a clubhouse, garage workspace, outdoor fire pit and barbecue area, dog park, zen garden, children’s exploration park and more.
4. Paseo Del Mar
Developer: KB Home
Address: 112 Unity
Priced from: $821,880
Paseo Del Mar is situated in an amenity-rich neighborhood, minutes away from The District at Tustin Legacy and its many big-box stores, tasty restaurants, AMC movie theater and Whole Foods Market. Even closer to home, residents will be able to enjoy a future community pool and convenient access to Highway 55 and I-405. The development offers two- to four-bedroom townhomes with no Mello Roos and roomy two-car garages. Select residences include a first-floor den that could be used as a dedicated home office, while others boast a guest bedroom with an ensuite bathroom for added privacy.
