Last week, I reviewed Stonegate’s new Cambria tract, featuring three different models of townhomes. This week, I visited the new Arcadia tract in Stonegate, a neighborhood of luxury homes. Built by TRI Pointe Homes, each model includes four bedrooms (all with one downstairs), four bathrooms, a bonus room and a two-car garage. Arcadia is at the north end of the community and will be most easily accessed from Portola and Jeffrey, once the roads all go through. While the website lists all homes as temporarily sold out, approximately eight new residences will be available this Saturday, August 10.

A few of the standard amenities in each home are a gas fireplace in the great room; marble countertops in all bathrooms; ceramic tile in entry, kitchen, and all baths; crown molding in some rooms; choice of Thermofoil or maple stain in master bath; his and her dual vanities; Kohler oval soaking tub and separate shower; choice of Thermofoil or maple stain in kitchen; under-cabinet lighting; granite countertops with 6” splash and full splash at cooktop and a KitchenAid Architect ® Series II stainless steel appliance package that includes a 48” cooktop with griddle, 48” hood, 30” double convection oven, microwave, 4-cycle dishwasher, and a 42” refrigerator opening pre-plumbed for water and ice. Prices range from approximately $1,181,900 for Residence One (2,909 square feet) to $1,293,900 for Residence Three (3,202 square feet).

A planned park adjacent to the community will include a Jr. Olympic Pool with Spa and Wading Pool, Tot Lot, Shade Structures and Barbecues with Picnic Tables. The community is a short walk to Stonegate Elementary School and the community park (large playground, barbecues and shaded picnic tables, tennis, sand volleyball, and basketball courts; baseball and soccer fields).

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Estimated Property Taxes: approximately 1.45%

Homeowners Dues: approximately $120 per month

Sales Brochure

Residence One

2,909 Sq Ft

4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, Bonus Room, Storage Area in Garage

Base Price from $1,181,900

I like the exterior a lot on this model, as the front has a longer walkway and a small porch. However, inside the home, the first thing you see is a wall, rather than an open view of the interior. To the right is the downstairs bed and bath; the rest of the home is to the left.

The downstairs bedroom could have a private entrance off the front portico, but isn’t modeled with one. It has a big window facing the street and plenty of space. The closet has paneled, French-style doors, but isn’t a walk-in. The crown molding and recessed lighting are upgrades.

The adjacent (not attached) bathroom has a single sink and a shower (no tub). The model shows upgraded counters, backsplash, shower walls and floor, brushed nickel shower enclosure, glazed cabinets and knob.

Moving toward the back of the house, you’ll pass the stairs and then the coat closet. The closet is huge, extending all the way under and around the back side of the stairs. The hall then opens up to the great room and kitchen that span the back of the house.

The great room is to the left. Huge windows cover most of the back wall and there are two smaller windows on the side wall. A 42” gas fireplace comes standard with the house and includes a log set and remote control with painted “manly” precast concrete fireplace surround. The model shows an upgrade to a “stone world finish, Milano color” and added built-in bookcases on both sides. The crown molding and recessed lighting are standard; the ceiling beams are upgrades. A multi-media outlet comes standard on the side wall, as does a flat screen outlet over the fireplace, giving you flexibility in how to set up the room.

There is space for a large dining table between the great room and the kitchen. Unlike the other two models, this home lacks a formal dining room. The kitchen cabinets and counter extend through the dining area. The model shows the optional 15’ glass accordion door leading out to the loggia to create an indoor/outdoor living experience. The loggia has an optional fireplace and is shown with an upgraded flat-screen TV outlet. The loggia dominates the yard and leaves room for little else. There is a built in BBQ directly behind it and a narrow patio area – including a fountain in the model – off to the other side. The space is attractive, but very small.

The kitchen reminds me of pretty much every new house I have seen lately. A large center island dominates the room and offers seating for four. The sink and dishwasher are also in the island. The model shows the standard appliance package and adds a built-in refrigerator, warming drawer and upgraded counters, backsplash, and cabinet finish. In addition to the ample space in the kitchen, there is a butler’s pantry (shown with upgraded wine fridge and cabinet finish/door styles) and a walk-in pantry between the kitchen and the garage.

While all the homes in Arcadia have a two-car garage, Residence One is the only model to have a small extra storage area in one corner.

Upstairs, the house has a bonus room and three additional bedrooms. The top of the stairs has a hallway area, with rooms leading off in three directions. Straight ahead and open to the hall is the bonus room, with a big window looking out to the side and a full wall of upgraded, built-in bookcase cabinetry.

To the left of the stairs are the laundry room and master suite. The laundry room has side by side machines, a deep sink, and many cabinets for linen storage. Aside from the doorknob and the actual washer and dryer, the room is shown without any upgrades.

The master suite has a small entryway to separate it a bit from the hallway. It opens to a good-sized room with a full wall of windows facing the backyard and two smaller ones on the side wall. Linen cabinets plus separate his and hers closets offer plenty of space. The master bath is past the closet and has separate sinks with a large soaking tub between them. The separate shower is large and includes a seat. The bathroom’s many upgrades include cabinet finish, countertops, backsplash, shower walls and floor, tub deck and apron, extended shower wall height to ceiling and shower enclosure. The model also includes the optional vanity/cabinet at the far end of the bathroom.

The other two bedrooms upstairs are at the front of the house. One bedroom (listed as Bedroom 3) has more style than any of the other secondary bedrooms across all models. It also seems a little larger, but that might just be due to the setup (I don’t have numbers for actual square footage). It has two windows facing the street and is shown with a full wall of built-in desk and cabinets beneath them. An open doorway leads back to the closet and bathroom. This closet has sliding doors, whereas most of the other secondary bedrooms have French-style doors. The en-suite bathroom has a single sink with very little counter space and a shower/tub combo.

The other bedroom is pretty standard and is similar to most of the other secondary bedrooms. It has two small, high windows overlooking the street and another, slightly larger window facing the side. Like the room downstairs, the closet has French-style doors but isn’t a walk-in. The attached bathroom is laid out just like in the other bedroom.

Residence One is a beautiful home with large rooms and a very functional layout. It’s very similar to other new Irvine homes in this price range and didn’t have anything to really make it stand out from the rest. I used to walk into new homes and be “wowed” by the gourmet kitchens and fancy bathrooms, but now they all kind of blend together and I know what to expect before I even open the door. The downstairs bedroom will appeal to many buyers, though the two-car garage may deter others.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,4211.0.html

Click here for an overview of Cambria at Stonegate, related documents, and a review of Residence One

Residence Three

1,690 Sq Ft

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms

Base Price: $627,20

Residence Three is always an end unit and is found on the right side of a two-, three-, or four-unit building. A 3R is on the left side of a four-unit building (which is the only difference between a three- and four-unit).

This model is also quite similar to the other two, but does vary a bit more. The entry is more open, with a little nook tucked in by the stairs. It has a big closet with low-ceilinged storage at the back. The powder room is arranged with the sink and toilet side by side, rather than opposite each other on either side of the door. It feels much bigger this way than in the other two homes.

The hall opens to the great room which, like the others, has a wall of windows at the back and a small window on one side. It is shown without any upgrades. In the standard model three, the great room is on the right and kitchen on the left, which is the opposite of the other two residences.

Again, the kitchen is almost identical. Like Residence One, the counters and cabinets extend all the way to the back wall. They upgraded to show glass doors over the counters in the dining area. It shows an upgraded Kitchenaid appliance package, including a 36” cooktop over a separate oven, rather than the standard 30” slide-in range. The dining area is the same, with walls at the back and a door to the back patio. The biggest difference in Residence Three is that it has an option for a real pantry (though the microwave would be inside it). The model shows this option and includes the barn-style door enclosure.

The only difference in the back patio is that the bigger and smaller sides are reversed.

Upstairs, this model is set up very much like Residence One. There are two secondary bedrooms without an option for a loft. Both rooms have standard closets and this model shows the optional storage above them, with cabinets in one and an open space in the other. The rooms are the exact same size, each with a window facing the street, but are mirror images of each other.

Their shared bathroom (not attached) has two sinks and a shower/tub combo with an option for just a shower.

The model shows the upgraded laundry room with sink, though the standard comes with a linen closet instead. The machines are still stacked and there are cabinets over the sink.

The master bedroom is also basically the same, with big windows at the back and two small ones on the side. In this home, the closet is off the bedroom itself, rather than at the back of the bathroom. The model shows upgraded built-ins in the closet and crown molding in the bedroom.

The master bath comes standard with a separate tub and shower. Unfortunately, this means the shower is a lot smaller than in the other two homes and there isn’t an option to change the layout. I think the shower is much too small. The sink and counter area is the same.

At almost 200 square feet bigger than Residence One, this house does feel a bit more spacious, but it doesn’t really feel that much bigger. The bigger entry, nicer powder room, and true pantry are nice changes from the other two models, though I wouldn’t like having the microwave inside the pantry. I also like that Residence Three is always an end unit.

Overall, these are basically three different versions of the same floor plan. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all. I like the general layout and it feels like a single family home on the inside even though it’s actually attached. The base prices are reasonable and many of the standard features are nice enough that upgrades aren’t necessary. The homes are most similar to Stonegate’s Santa Maria tract. Cambria has bigger patios, a garage at the front of the home, more square footage in each model, and, in my opinion, a better overall layout of the home. Santa Maria, on the other hand, has an optional downstairs bedroom in some models and is in a better location within Stonegate (closer to the school and community park, farther from any major streets).

Both Cambria and Santa Maria are now selling and have similar price points. Which neighborhood would you choose, and why?

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,4188.0.html

Click here for an overview of Cambria at Stonegate, related documents, and a review of Residence One

Residence Two / Two-R

1,504 Sq Ft

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Optional Loft (open or enclosed) at Bedroom Three

Base Price: $593,700

Residence Two can be found in a two-unit building. Residence 2R (as modeled) is on the end of a three-unit building or is one of the middle units on a four-unit building.

This floor plan is nearly identical to Residence One, though the model shows the reverse version so most things are on the opposite side. The entry has stairs immediately on the left (with the standard coat closet at the bottom) and a hall (with powder room and garage access) leading to the living space at the back.

In the reverse plan, the kitchen, dining, and great room are set up with the same orientation as in Residence One. The kitchen island is virtually identical, as are the placements of the fridge and range. There is a little extra cabinet space to the side of the fridge, as this model has the hall opening up to the great room, whereas the hall in Residence One opens to the kitchen. The cabinets and counter do not extend all the way through the dining area, leaving space for a buffet or china cabinet instead. Upgrades in the model kitchen include maple cabinets, clear glass doors at both sides of the hood, and a Caesarstone counter with upgraded backsplash.

The great room is shown without any upgrades and shows a different arrangement of furniture and TV placement than the other model. Again, it does not have a fireplace.

The back patio is exactly the same as in Residence One.

The model shows an enclosed loft with pocket doors (French doors also available) rather than an open loft or the standard bedroom three. It is a nice-sized room with a window facing the street. If buyers opted for the bedroom, it would include a standard, two-door closet with optional storage above.

The adjacent second bedroom is the same size as the loft, with a bigger window facing the street and a smaller one facing the side, though it looks toward the other homes in the unit and not toward the unattached side of the house. Upgraded beveled mirrored closets are shown in this model.

The secondary bath is just outside of bedroom two. It has dual sinks with a good amount of space between them and shows the optional shower only. The laundry room comes standard with stacked machines and a linen cabinet, but an optional sink can replace the cabinet.

The setup of the master bedroom is quite similar to in Residence One. Because it is an end unit, there are small windows facing the unattached side of the house in addition to the bigger windows on the back wall.

The master bath is basically a mirror image of Residence One. This one shows most of the standard features, including the dual sinks, white Thermofoil cabinets, satin nickel knobs, and marble countertop. It also has the standard sterling tub/shower combo, though there is an option for a shower only. The walk-in closet seems a bit bigger than in Residence One.

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In general, if you like Residence One, you’ll like Residence Two (or Two R, as shown). Residence Two has an additional 50 square feet and could be an end unit in some buildings. The biggest difference is the standard third bedroom with option for a loft, whereas Residence One cannot include in a third bedroom.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,4183.0.html