Thousands Attend Grand Opening of 2,380-Home Baker Ranch Community Presented by Shea Homes-Toll Brothers
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (PRWEB) February 09, 2014 -- Confirming the strength of the local new-home real estate market, an estimated 9 to 10 thousand homeshoppers toured the six new residential neighborhoods which debuted yesterday at Baker Ranch, a new 2,380-home community created in partnership by Shea Homes and Toll Brothers, in Lake Forest, CA.
Set within the scenic foothills of Lake Forest and on the City’s largest undeveloped site, Baker Ranch is also the first (and possibly the only) planned community to open in Orange County this year. At build-out, Baker is expected to offer a three villages encompassing neighborhoods of single-family detached homes, townhomes and other attached living residences as well as apartment homes. More than 30 acres of parks and recreational facilities are planned; and Baker Ranch residents will pay NO Mello-Roos taxes.
During the Saturday, February 8 Grand Opening celebration, Village One at Baker Ranch presented its diverse selection of homes within six neighborhoods and several recreational amenities. Homes are currently priced from the low $500,000s to over $1 million. Homes now selling at Baker Ranch include the following:
• Brookland by Shea Homes: Townhomes priced from the low $500,000s, offering 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 baths and approximately 1,273 – 1,801 sq. ft. of living space
• The Knolls by Shea Homes: Single-family homes from the high $500,000s, offering 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5-3 baths and approximately 1,578 – 1,671 sq. ft. of living space
• Parkview by Toll Brothers: Single-family homes from the $700,000s, offering 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and approximately 1,874 – 2,196 sq. ft. of living space
• Ridgewood by Shea Homes: Single-family homes from the high $700,000s, offering 3-5 bedrooms, 3.5-4 baths and approximately 2,124 – 2,390 sq. ft. of living space
• Heights by Toll Brothers: Single-family homes from the $900,000s, offering 4-5 bedrooms, 4.5-5.5 baths and approximately 2,686 – 3,056 sq. ft. of living space
• Highlands by Toll Brothers: Single-family homes from the $1,000,000s, offering 5 bedrooms, 4.5-5.5 baths and approximately 2,971 – 3,268 sq. ft. of living space
“Yesterday’s homeshopper turnout was incredible,” said Seth Ring, President of Toll Brothers – Southern California Division. “We’re delighted to see so many people interested in the first village of Baker Ranch and to experience the unique recreational-oriented lifestyle offered to future residents. And, since Baker Ranch residents will not have to pay any Mello-Roos taxes, they’ll benefit from a lower cost of living as compared to other Orange County planned communities.”
While enjoying light refreshments, live music and family-oriented children’s activities, the thousands of prospective homebuyers also toured several of Baker Ranch’s impressive recreational amenities, starting with The Grove. Showcased by a large clubhouse complete with gourmet-style demonstration kitchen and dining area, The Grove also proves a spacious ballroom with tall glass doors opening to an outdoor courtyard for small- and large-group entertaining. Also featured are an open-air bar adjacent to a tall stone fireplace and a covered walkway leading from the clubhouse to a resort-caliber lagoon swimming pool with spa and children’s splash area, covered poolside cabanas, as well as a separate “quiet” pool with spa and lounging area.
In addition, Baker Ranch visitors were able to walk through the newly completed Baker Ranch Community Park with its lush “ready for play” athletic fields, a community green surrounded by picnic and grill pavilions, an elaborate play structure, and plenty of open space for a relaxing day. And, the pool, wading pool, spa and expansive play area at The Arbors as well as two additional neighborhood parks also welcomes guests to the grand opening.
From its location atop a broad mesa adjacent to 900 acres of open space, Baker Ranch affords wide panoramas of surrounding foothills, the Santa Ana Mountains, and even distant views of the Pacific Ocean. Baker Ranch’s central location to key highways including the Foothill Transportation Corridor (241 tollroad), the I-5 and I-405 makes easy access for residents to major employment centers, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Ultimately, Baker Ranch is planned to also include a Central Linear Park in the heart of the community and the Borrego Linear Park, highlighted by a multi-user trail system which connects with the County of Orange regional trails network, leading to thousands of acres of open space at nearby Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Even more neighborhood parks are expected to be created in the community so that residents are within just five minutes of places to play and socialize.
Baker Ranch is within the acclaimed Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which is ranked among Orange County’s Top 5 Best School Districts. The Saddleback Valley Unified School District features more California Distinguished Schools than any other in the state, including its award-winning El Toro High School which is ranked in the Top 10% in the nation.
“Baker Ranch offers the perfect blend of view orientation and recreational/social amenities mixed with proximity to wide open spaces, miles of hiking and biking trails as well as quick and easy access to employment centers, restaurants and shopping,” said Bob Yoder, President of Shea Homes - Southern California Division. “Based on homeshopper response, Baker Ranch is clearly the most highly anticipated new planned community to debut in Orange County this year.”
To learn more about Baker Ranch and its community amenities, please visit http://www.LiveatBakerRanch.com.
Baker Ranch is located between Bake Parkway and Alton Parkway in Lake Forest. To reach Baker Ranch from the I-5 or I-405, take the Bake Parkway exit and proceed east. Enter the community at Dimension Drive. To reach Baker Ranch from the 241 tollroad, exit Alton Parkway, proceed west and follow the signs to Baker Ranch.
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Baker Ranch is being created through a partnership between Shea Homes and Toll Brothers. Shea Homes Southern California is a division of Shea Homes Limited Partnership, one of America’s largest privately held homebuilders. As a member of the Shea family of companies, which is celebrating its 133rd anniversary in 2014, Shea Homes has won numerous prestigious awards for quality, integrity, innovation and customer satisfaction. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.SheaHomes.com.
Toll Brothers was named 2012 Builder of the Year by Professional Builder magazine (http://www.housingzone.com) and is the first builder to win this honor twice. Toll Brothers is also honored to have won two other coveted awards in the home building industry: America’s Best Builder and the National Housing Quality Award. The Company serves move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers and operates nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.TollBrothers.com.
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Diane Gaynor, Roni Hicks & Associates, +1 619-980-1692, [email protected]
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