Last week, I presented an overview of the exclusive 55+ Travata community in Cypress Village. Today, I will review the Castillo collection, one of Travata’s three neighborhoods. Castillo is the mid-range collection, with homes ranging from 1,281 – 1,947 square feet. There will be 77 Castillo homes, with residences 1 and 3 attached to each other while residences 2 and 2X are detached. Homes have 2 – 3 bedrooms and 2 – 2.5 bathrooms. All homes are single-story, except for residence 2X, which has a loft on the second floor. Every home has a two-car garage. The residence 2 and 2X homes are always on the street, with residences 1 and 3 set behind them along a shared motor court.

 

Included Features
Castillo is built by Lennar, which is known for its “Everything’s Included” policy. What you see in the models is primarily what you get and there aren’t many options to upgrade or customize the home. However, you can make changes to the flooring, kitchen backsplash, and paint. The homes come standard with smart products controlled by Amazon Alexa, including Echo Dot and Echo Show; Baldwin® Evolved smart lock; Honeywell Lyric round™ wi-fi thermostat; Leviton® Z-wave plug-in module; Lutron Caseta® wireless in-wall dimmer, Smart Bridge Pro, lamp module, and Pico remote with double stand; Ring® video doorbell pro; Samsung SmartThings® hub; and Sonos® PLAY:1 wireless speaker. Efficiency features include energy-saving LED lights; radiant barrier roof sheathing; Sherwin-Williams® two-tone low-VOC interior paint; sealed heating and cooling ducts; dual-glazed windows with high performance low-E glass; full exterior door weather stripping; tankless water heater; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; and pressure balanced valves in showers and tubs.

The kitchens have a GE Monogram® package with a Professional Series stainless-steel 6-burner gas range cooktop, hood, side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, and oven; GE Profile™ Advantium microwave and ENERGY STAR® dishwasher; large double-bowl kitchen sink with designer Moen® faucet and push button disposal; quartz countertops with 6” backsplash and full-height splash at cooktop; Shaker-style cabinetry with soft-close hinges (homesite color schemes pre-selected); under-cabinet task lighting; and roll-out shelf for recycling and trash.

The bathrooms include top-mount double sinks (master suite); Piedrafina™ countertop with 6” backsplash; Moen® bath accessories with brushed nickel finishes; frameless shower enclosure with ceramic tile surround; acrylic tub with surround and deck (per residence); shaker-style cabinetry with soft-close hinges in pre-selected colors; and decorative framed mirrors in the master or beveled mirrors in the secondary baths. The laundry rooms have Piedrafina™ countertops with 4” backsplash; undermount sink with Moen® pull-out faucet; and a vacancy switch.

Additional features in the Castillo homes include  barbecue stub; Seagull® decorator-selected coach lights; ThermaTru® insulated fiberglass 8’ entry door; Kwikset® satin nickel door levers; 3.5” baseboards; Daltile® glazed floor tile at entry, baths, and laundry; plush wall-to-wall Mohawk® carpeting; USB outlets in kitchen and bedrooms; flat-screen TV blocking with smurf tubing to hide cables; rocker light switches; telephone jack in kitchen and master bedroom; and cable outlets in all bedrooms, living room, and loft.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information
Approximate HOA Dues: $285 per month at buildout
Basic Property Tax Rate: Approximately 1.06%
No Mello Roos
Current pricing starts at $768,990 for residence 1; $900,990 for residence 2; $974,990 for residence 2X; and $944,000 for residence 3

Residence 1
1,281 square feet
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Pricing in current phase ranges from $768,990 – $799,990 ($600 – $625 per square foot)

Residence 1 is a single-story home that is always attached to residence 3. It shares a wall along the kitchen, dining room, secondary bathroom, and laundry room. There is a large patio on the side of the house between the motor court and the front door. The door is equipped with the Ring doorbell system.

Inside, the foyer is small but has space for a very narrow table.

The great room is just past the foyer. The living area is large, with a coffered ceiling, recessed lights, and two windows facing the side patio. The model shows an upgraded built-in media unit.

 

The kitchen is adjacent to the great room. It has an island with seating for 3 – 4 people on one side and the sink and dishwasher on the other side. The long wall behind the island holds the cooktop, built-in microwave, and oven. There are short counters on each side of the cooktop. The other wall has the refrigerator and pantry, shown with standard shelving. The kitchen makes good use of the space and has numerous cabinets and drawers.

 

The dining room is behind the kitchen. It can comfortably seat 6 – 8 people. There are base cabinets extended from the kitchen all the way to the back of the dining room. There are sliding doors leading to the small back patio.

The patio is shown with a small table and a grill.

A small alcove off the dining room leads to the master suite. The room isn’t much bigger than an average secondary bedroom. It has crown molding and recessed lights, with windows facing the back patio and back of the house. Signs posted in the room demonstrate the home’s Amazon Alexa system and Sonos® PLAY:1 sound system. The walk-in closet has two shelves and poles with a built-in shoe rack.

The master bathroom has a vanity with two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and six drawers. The shower is on the left side of the vanity. It has the standard tile, with a seat at the back and niche along the wall.

A hallway on the opposite side of the great room leads to the secondary bed and bath and the laundry room. The secondary bathroom is the first room on the right. It has a vanity with a single sink and a fair amount of counter space on each side. There is one set of cabinets but there aren’t any drawers. The shower/tub combo has upgraded tile.

The laundry room is next to the bathroom. It has space for side-by-side machines, a short counter, and a sink. There is one set of cabinets below the sink and two sets above the machines. Access to the two-car garage is at the end of the hall. There are linen cabinets beside the door to create a small drop zone.

The secondary bedroom is on the left side of the hallway. It has two windows facing the side patio, crown molding, and recessed lights. The model shows a ceiling fan. The room is on the smaller side and has a standard bypass closet.

 

Residence 1 is a nice home for a couple looking for a smaller house. I think the living areas are spacious and laid out well. The house lacks a hall closet and the small foyer doesn’t really offer space for shoes or coats. I think the price is too high at over $600 per square foot, as many people looking to downsize or move to a retirement community aren’t looking to spend nearly $800,000 for a two-bedroom house.

Residence 2 (not modeled)
1,566 square feet
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Sold out in current phase; recent pricing started from $900,990 ($575 per square foot)

Residence 2X
1,947 square feet
3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Loft
Current pricing starts at $974,990 ($500 per square feet)

Residence 2 and 2X are almost the same, with the exception being the second-floor loft in residence 2X. The staircase leading up to the loft eliminates a coat closet that is present in the standard residence 2. Both residences are always detached homes that face the street, with the garage on the side of the house along the motor court. The foyer has space on one wall for a narrow table or bench. A long hallway on the left leads to the secondary rooms while the living areas are straight ahead. In residence 2, the coat closet is just before the living areas; in residence 2X, the staircase is there instead.

The foyer opens to the dining room, which is between the kitchen and the great room. There are three windows facing the back of the house. The room can comfortably seat 6 – 8 people. Because it is an extension of the great room, there is some flexibility with the layout.

The great room has three windows facing the back of the house and three more on the side. There is a single French door leading to the patio. The room is a good size and has recessed lights. One wall has a niche for a media unit. The model shows a built-in base unit that is an upgrade.

The kitchen has an island with seating on one side and the sink and dishwasher on the other. The longer wall holds the cooktop, built-in microwave, and oven. It has counter space on each side of the cooktop, along with numerous cabinets and drawers. The refrigerator is on the far left side of the kitchen and the walk-in pantry is on the right.

The back patio is shown with a fountain and built-in barbecue. It is bigger than the back patio in residence 1, but this home doesn’t have the large front patio like that one does.

The master suite is off the back corner of the great room. The bedroom has two small windows facing the street and one small window at the back. The room has crown molding and recessed lights. It is a little bigger than the master suite in residence 1.

The master bathroom has two sinks set into a shared vanity, with two sets of cabinets and six drawers. The bathtub and shower are across from the vanity. The tub deck forms a ledge in the adjacent shower, which also has a built-in seat and soap niche. The shower is a good size. There is a walk-in closet in one corner of the bathroom that is shown with an upgraded organizer system.

The secondary rooms are off the long hallway to the left of the foyer. Bedroom 3 is the first room on the right. It is the smallest bedroom in the house and has just one window facing the back. There is a standard bypass closet.

The laundry room is the next room down the hall. There are narrow linen cabinets just outside it. The room is the same as in residence 1, with side-by-side machines, a sink, and a few cabinets. Access to the two-car garage is across from the laundry room.

The secondary bathroom is next to the laundry room. It has a vanity with a single sink and one set of cabinets. There is a shower but no tub, shown with standard tile on the walls and upgraded floor tile. The shower includes a full seat.

Bedroom 2 is at the end of the hall, also on the right. It is slightly larger than bedroom 3 and brighter, as it has windows on two walls. This one is shown with crown molding and a decorative light fixture. There is a standard bypass closet.

 

While the Castillo homes are designed for single-story living, residence 2X has a second-floor loft. This room is great for visiting grandchildren for people who don’t want to use it on a daily basis, though it can also be a bedroom or office. The room has four windows facing the street, while each of the other walls has three small windows near the ceiling. The room is set up with two distinct spaces, including a table and chairs at one end and a sofa and TV at the other. The loft includes a powder room with a single sink set into a small vanity.

   

Residences 2 and 2X are priced a little more reasonably per square foot than residence 1, though the overall price tag is still quite high. I was happy to see that residence 2 has a coat closet and wish they could have put one somewhere in 2X. This home has the added bonus of not sharing walls with any other houses.

Residence 3
1,701 square feet
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Sold out in current phase; recent pricing started from $944,990 ($555 per square foot)

Residence 3 is connected to residence 1, with the kitchen, laundry room, and master bath on the shared wall. The front door is off the motor court, right next to the two-car garage. Inside, there is a long, narrow hallway with the secondary bedrooms on the left and access to the garage is on the right. The living areas are at the end of the hall.

Bedroom 2 is the first room on the left. This room is much larger than the other secondary rooms found throughout the Castillo collection. It has two windows facing the side of the house and another facing the front walkway. The model shows crown molding and a ceiling fan. This room is the only Castilla secondary room with a walk-in closet.

An alcove outside of bedroom 2 has a small coat closet and the secondary bathroom. This bathroom only has one sink, but the vanity is much larger than in the other homes. It has two cabinets and six drawers. The shower/tub combo has the standard tile.

Bedroom 3 is the next room on the left. It is comparable in size to the rooms in residences 1 and 2. There is a single window on the side and a standard bypass closet.

The hallway opens to the dining room, which, like the other homes, can seat 6 – 8 people comfortably. One wall provides space for a hutch while another has sliding doors to the patio.

The great room is behind the dining room. The sliding doors from the dining room run through the great room as well. There is a niche on the opposite wall for a media unit, which the model shows with upgraded, built-in base cabinets.

The kitchen is across from the dining room. The island can seat 3 – 4 people and holds the sink and dishwasher. One wall has the refrigerator and pantry. The longer wall has the cooktop in the middle and the built-in microwave and oven at the end. There is a lot of counter space surrounding the cooktop and plenty of cabinets and drawers.

 

The laundry room is off the kitchen. The side-by-side machines are on the left wall and the sink is on the right. The counter is more accessible than in the other residences, so it could be used for folding.

The master suite is off the great room at the back of the house. The room is a good size and felt very bright, with two windows at the back and sliding doors on the side. It has crown molding and recessed lights. A niche in one wall shows an upgraded, built-in dresser with highboys on each end.

In the master bathroom, the shower is on the left as soon as you go through the door. It is long and narrow, with a seat under the showerhead instead of on the opposite wall where it usually is. The vanity is the same as in the other master suites, with two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and six drawers. The walk-in closet is shown with built-in organizers.

The patio runs along the full length of the house, with a wider section by the living areas and narrower sections outside the bedrooms. The model shows a grill and chairs on one end, a built-in bench and fire pit in the middle, and a dining table at the other end.

 

I like the larger bedrooms that this home has and thought it felt brighter than residence 1. The kitchen utilizes the space well and the home has a coat closet, though it is quite small.

Overall, the Castillo collection offers smaller, single-story homes for those looking to downsize or move into a 55+ community. Every home has some outdoor space and comfortable living areas. The proximity to the Great Park may cause a lot of traffic outside the gates during busy sports times, but that won’t affect the community inside the gates.

Cypress Village has a new community for residents age 55 and over. Travata is a gated community with three home collections built by Lennar. The neighborhood is off Ridge Valley, just north of the 5 freeway and 133 toll road. It is across from the original entrance to the Great Park. All homes are designed for one-story living, though some Aldea flats on the second floor of a building and some Castillo and Palencia homes have second-floor lofts. Aldea’s upper level flats have an option for a private elevator in each unit. There will be 243 total homes between the three collections.

The neighborhood includes a large clubhouse with a pool, spa, fitness center, lounge, and more. Though Travata is technically part of Cypress Village, other residents of the Village will not have access to Travata’s amenities. Likewise, Travata residents will not have access to any of the other pools or private facilities in Cypress Village. Homeowners dues is expected to be $285 per month for the Palencia and Castillo collections and $453 for the Aldea collection; Travata does not have Mello Roos.

The Castillo and Palencia collections have open models and are actively selling. Aldea hasn’t opened its models yet, but they are selling with a move-in date of August 2018. All models have a two-car garage except for Aldea Residence 1, which only has one.

Collection	Square Feet	Beds	Baths	# Floor plans	# Units	Base Price
Aldea	1,430 – 1,910	1 – 2	1.5 – 2	3	105	$655,990 – $879,990
Castillo	1,281 – 1,947	2 – 3	2 – 2.5	3	77	$768,990 – $974,990
Palencia	1,848 – 2,567	2 – 3	2.5-3.5	5	61	$910,000 – $985,000

Resort Amenities
The Travata Club is a large, multi-use facility near the entrance gates to the enclave. This will be the social center of the community and should eventually offer organized activities for the residents. The lobby includes a reception area and information desk. The front room also has a lounge with comfortable seating and a fireplace for casual socializing.

 

A huge multipurpose room on the right can be used for parties or group activities. It has a large bar with a sink and two mini fridges. There is a back kitchen with a sink, microwave, and full-size refrigerator. The room has plenty of seating and can be opened to the outdoor patio.

The meeting rooms are across from reception. A moveable wall provides the option for one large space or two smaller rooms. All the furniture is easy to move so the meeting space is flexible.

The far end of the building houses the gym. It includes a variety of cardio and weight machines, with large windows and doors leading to the back patio. There is a water fountain and refillable bottle station. A smaller room off the main gym holds hand weights, yoga mats, and fitness balls. A large screen TV showed options for different exercise programs.

Outside, the patio has several different areas with comfortable couches for casual get togethers, including some in covered California rooms. One side has a u-shaped bench surrounding a fire pit.

The swimming pool is H-shaped, with one long side designated as a lap pool. There are lounge chairs all around the deck and some covered seating near the back. There is a small hot tub behind the pool. One side of the pool deck has two built-in barbecues and a couple of large dining tables.

Two bocce ball courts run alongside the building outside the fitness room. There is additional seating nearby. A grassy area next to the bocce ball courts is called the “yoga lawn” and will likely have organized yoga classes.

Thought I wasn’t able to walk around the back of the club, there are two pickle-ball courts and a dog park behind the pool (outside the pool gates).  There is also a parking lot at the back.

Overall, the Travata community will be well-suited for residents age 55 and up, with its single-story living options and smaller homes that still offer enough space for visiting grandchildren. The Travata Club will provide a nice gathering place for residents and will offer a good variety of organized activities and classes. The pricing may be high for retirees on a fixed income, especially in the Aldea collection where the HOA fees are over $450 per month. I hope that the Travata neighborhood has a close-knit, community feeling for its residents.

 

The Padova collection is the last set of homes currently under construction in Orchard Hills, though I know there are plans for future developments. Set in the gated enclave of The Groves, the Padova homes are up in the hills off Woody Knoll, near the Bella Vista and Alta Vista collections. Built by Shea Homes, there will be approximately 40 homes, with potential for additional lots to be released at a later date. The four floor plans range from 2,898 – 3,474 square feet, with 4 – 5 bedrooms and 4.5 – 5.5 bathrooms. All models have a bedroom on the first floor and a bonus room on the second floor. Elevations include Spanish, Italian, Tuscan, and Provence.

 

Included Features
The Padova homes have three-coat stucco exterior walls; fire resistant concrete tile roofing; designer entry doors with Baldwin La Jolla Venetian bronze hardware and deadbolt; decorative exterior Coach lighting; rear-yard gas stub for grill; central heating and air-conditioning with programmable zoned or dual system thermostat; Rheem® tankless water heater with expansion tank; Metlund pump with buttons at kitchen sink and master bathroom; tan or bronze dual-paned vinyl windows with low-E glass; pre-wire for solar; and conduit for EV charging station up to 50 amps. Inside, the homes have smooth finish two-panel interior doors with Venetian bronze hardware; decorative baseboards and door casings; open rail paint grade stair system with vertical balusters; choice of Euro-styled frameless hardwood maple cabinets with sage stain or Thermofoil white shaker cabinets; soft-close hinges at kitchens and master baths; concealed hinges throughout with brushed nickel bar pulls; Decora® light switches and dimmer switches; multi-media outlet at great room; advanced Category 5e wiring; covered California rooms with multi-panel folding glass doors; designer bath accessories from Moen® Voss Collection in polished chrome; ceramic 6” x 6” tile shower walls; and cultured marble countertops in secondary baths and laundry room. The kitchens include quartz slab in Morning Frost White countertops with 6” backsplash and full-height at cooktop; stainless steel Amersink® single basin sink; Insinkerator® Badger 5 waste disposal with air switch; Moen® Align pull-down faucet with spot resistant stainless finish; fluorescent under-cabinet and LED recessed lighting; USB/duplex outlet at backsplash; roll-out wood dovetail drawers in select pantries; and a stainless steel GE® built-in appliance package with Monogram professional-style dual fuel range with six burners and grill, Monogram 48” wall mount designer hood; built-in microwave; and Monogram Pro Handle built-in dishwasher. Finally, the master suites have walk-in closets with dual-sided mirrored doors; Morning Frost White thin quartz slab countertops with 4” backsplash; no threshold 6 x 6” tiled showers with linear shower drain, solid surface seat, and clear frameless glass enclosure in chrome; bath accessories from Moen® Voss Collection in polished chrome; Kohler® toilets; and Kohler® rectangular undermount sinks.

Schools
Students living in Padova will attend schools in the Tustin Unified School District.  Children in grades K – 4 currently attend Hicks Canyon Elementary while students in grades 5 – 8 attend Orchard Hills School. However, beginning in August 2018, Orchard Hills School will open for all students in grades K – 8, offering Padova families a chance to attend a school much closer to home. Students in grades 9 – 12 are served by Beckman High School.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information
Approximate HOA Dues: $279 – $297 per month for the Orchard Hills Association
Basic Property Tax Rate: Approximately 1.00%
CFD Tax: $5,199 – $5,644 per year, based on square footage of home
Prices start from mid $1.3 million for Residences 1 and 2, high $1.3 million for Residence 3, and high $1.5 million for Residence 4

Residence 1 (not modeled)
2,898 square feet
4 – 5 bedrooms, 4.5 – 5.5 bathrooms
Lounge (aka bonus room)
Optional outdoor kitchen at California room
Optional prep kitchen
Optional conservatory
Optional bed + bath 5 at lounge
Prices start at mid $1.3 million

Residence 1X (not modeled)
2,864 square feet
4 – 5 bedrooms, 4 – 5 bathrooms
Lounge (aka bonus room)
Optional outdoor kitchen at California room
Optional prep kitchen
Optional conservatory
Optional bed + bath 5 at lounge
Prices start at mid $1.3 million

Residence 1 and 1X are not modeled. The key difference between them is that residence 1 has a powder room on the first floor but residence 1X does not. There is also a minor variation to the layout in the first-floor bedroom.

There is a long entry hall with a doorway on the right leading to the bedroom suite. Just past that is a coat closet with storage beneath the stairs. Access to the 2-car garage is across from the staircase.

If you go through the doorway on the right, there is a bathroom on the left. In residence 1, it is a powder room with a vanity and one sink. In residence 1X, it is a full bath with a slightly larger vanity (still one sink) and a shower.

Bedroom 4 is on the right. It has a large window facing the street and a smaller one on the side. There is a walk-in closet in residence 1X. In residence 1, there is an open doorway leading to the bathroom. The vanity is on the right with one sink and there is a bypass closet across from it. A separate door leads to the shower.

The main hall opens to the kitchen. The island has seating on one side and the sink and dishwasher on the other. One wall holds the microwave and refrigerator while the other has the range. There are long counters on both sides of the range. There is a walk-in pantry in the back corner with an option for a wine fridge.

There is an option to convert the pantry into a prep kitchen with a sink and four-burner cooktop. It would have counter and cabinet space as well.

The dining room is behind the kitchen. It has three windows facing the backyard and sliding doors leading to the California room, with an option for stacking or folding doors. The room looks to be a good size. It is set behind the great room and kitchen, so it is a defined space.

The great room is across from the kitchen. It has a fireplace on one wall, two windows facing the side, and windows or doors across the back wall. As in the dining room, there are options for sliding, stacking, or folding doors.

The standard floor plan includes a California room. It would have options for either a fireplace or an outdoor kitchen with a fridge and BBQ.

There is an option for a conservatory in lieu of the California room. It would be open to great room and dining room, with windows on the side and doors at the back.

On the second floor, there is an open bonus room on the left next to the stairs. It has three windows facing the street and one more on the side. The room is quite large. There is an option to convert it to a fifth bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom would have a bypass closet. The bathroom would have an open doorway leading to a large vanity with one sink. A separate door would lead to a shower/tub combo.

The master suite is across from the staircase. The bedroom is large, with three windows facing the street and two more on the side. A hallway leading back to the bathroom has walk-in closets on each side. One is much larger than the other. There is an option for a door at the end of the hall separating it from the bathroom.

The master bathroom has two vanities on opposite walls from each other, each with one sink. The one on the left is longer and includes space for a seat. The bathtub is next to the longer vanity and has an option for a free-standing tub. The shower is across from the bathtub and looks to be a good size on the floor plan.

A hallway on the right side of the stairs leads to the second rooms. There are base linen cabinets on the left and the laundry room on the right. The laundry room has space for side-by-side machines and a sink with a small counter.

Bedroom 3 is next to the laundry room. It has two windows on the side of the house. There is a bypass closet just inside the doorway. The en-suite bathroom has a vanity with a single sink and a shower/tub combo.

Bedroom 2 is at the end of the hall. It has two windows facing the backyard and a bypass closet in the back corner. The en-suite bathroom includes a smaller vanity than in bedroom 3 and a shower/tub combo.

Residence 1 and 1X seem quite similar to most of the other new homes being built in Irvine right now. The walk-in pantry or prep kitchen is a nice feature and buyers will like the indoor/outdoor living options of the California room and conservatory.

Residence 2
2,946 square feet
4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Lounge
Optional conservatory at California room
Prices start from mid $1.3 million

Residence 2 has a front porch with space for seating. Upgrades found throughout the model include paint and other wall treatments, flooring, window coverings, Wood Dove Tail drawer boxes with soft close guides and concealed hinges throughout, and a Level 1 optional security package. All decorator’s items are also upgrades.

Inside, the foyer has space on the right for a table or bench and the staircase just beyond that. There is a large coat closet under the stairs.

The powder room is also on the right. It has a vanity with a single sink, two cabinets, and a narrow drawer at the bottom. Upgrades include the rift oak flat panel cabinets in blonde finish, pulls, quartzite countertop, full-height tile backsplash, Kohler undermount vitreous white china sink, and framed mirror.

The dining room is just past the entry hall. It has space for a large table and a window facing the side of the house. The model shows the optional extended upper and lower cabinets, which eliminate one window from that wall. The tower cabinets are a further upgrade.

The kitchen is behind the dining room. The long island can easily seat four people. The other side has cabinets, drawers, a built-in microwave, and an under-counter wine fridge. The longer wall of the kitchen has several pantry-height cupboards, the refrigerator, and the range. The shorter wall includes the sink and dishwasher. There isn’t much counter space aside from the island. Upgrades in the kitchen include rift oak flat panel cabinets in blonde finish, pulls, quartz countertop at deck and pass-through window, quartzite countertop at island, full-height tile backsplash, GE® Monogram built-in side-by-side refrigerator, wine fridge, Moen “Sto” pull-down faucet in stainless, and J-boxes at island with optional LED pendant light fixtures. The model shows the optional pass-through window between the kitchen and California room. There is an option for a second dishwasher on the other side of the sink.

 

The great room is next to the kitchen. The room is a good size and includes the fireplace with herringbone refractory, ceramic log set, and “Frasier” style precast surround with hearth. The home comes standard with folding doors to the backyard but shows the optional stacking doors instead. Additional upgrades include the LED recessed can lighting, wall paneling, and music package. The small niche next to the fireplace is shown with upgraded glass shelving and mini can light.

A doorway in the corner of the great room leads to a back hallway. Access to the 2-car garage is on the left and bedroom 4 is on the right. Bathroom 4 is just outside the bedroom, with an open doorway to the vanity area. It has a large vanity with one sink, one set of cabinets, and six drawers. The cabinetry, pulls, quartz countertop, backsplash, and sink are all upgrades. A separate door leads to the shower, which has upgraded tile on the walls and floor.

Bedroom 4 is a good size. It has two windows facing the backyard and two tiny windows near the top of the wall on the side. There is an option for a single door leading to the California room, which would be where the chair is in the model. The crown molding and lighting are upgrades. There is a small bypass closet on one wall.

The California room is shown with the optional fireplace and pre-wire for a wall-mounted TV above it. Instead of a fireplace, there is an option for an outdoor kitchen. It would have a fridge and BBQ. There is an option for a conservatory instead, which would be open to the great room. The conservatory does not have an option for a fireplace and would have a window on one side and doors across the back.

The model has a dining table on the patio outside the pass-through kitchen window and a fountain next to it. There is a built-in BBQ in the corner of the yard, with u-shaped counters, seating, and numerous cabinets.

On the second floor, there are linen cabinets at the top of the stairs. The doors are upgraded, but the upper and lower cabinets are included with the home.

The lounge is adjacent to the stairs.  It has two windows facing the side of the home and an option for an open railing along the stairs. The model shows an upgraded built-in desk and shelf along one wall and a window seat on another. The LED recessed lights, ceiling fan, wall-mounted TV and prewire, and music package are all upgrades.

The laundry room is on the other side of the stairs. There are optional linen cabinets just inside the door shown with upgraded doors and pulls. The room is a good size, with space for side-by-side machines and an L-shaped counter with a sink, base cabinets, and upper cabinets. The doors and quartz countertop with 6” splash are upgrades.

Bedrooms 2 and 3 are through a doorway across from the stairs. Bedroom 3 is on the left. When you enter, the walk-in closet is on the left. It is shown with the standard shelves and poles. The room is fairly large, with two windows facing the street and two more on the side. The recessed lights and crown molding are upgrades. The en-suite bathroom has a good-sized vanity with two cabinets and six drawers. The cabinet finish, pulls, and tile backsplash are upgrades. The shower/tub combo also has upgraded tile.

      

Bedroom 2 is also a good size. It has two windows on the side and a walk-in closet in the back corner. The lighting is upgraded. This room also has an en-suite bathroom. The vanity is a little smaller, with two wide cabinets and two small drawers at the bottom. Again, the cabinets and pulls are upgraded. The shower/tub combo has upgraded tile.

The master suite is off the lounge, stretching across the back of the house. It has three windows facing the backyard and two on the side. The large room has a recessed section on one wall that works well for shelves, a dresser, or a built-in unit. The recessed lights and music package are upgrades. An alcove between the bedroom and bathroom has linen cabinets, shown with an upgraded spa tower. There is an option for a door between the alcove and the bathroom.

 

When you enter the bathroom, the large walk-in closet is on the left. It is shown with a fully upgraded organizer system. There are two vanities on opposite sides of the room. Each has a single sink, two cabinets, and six drawers. One also has an extended counter with two small drawers and a place for a seat. The bathtub is next to the longer vanity and the large shower is next to the shorter vanity. There is an option for a free-standing tub. Upgrades in the bathroom include the cabinet doors, pulls, limestone countertop with 6” splash, limestone tub deck and shower seat, tile at tub face and shower, Roman tub with handheld in chrome, handheld shower in chrome, and framed mirrors.

 

This home has good storage, with a large closet downstairs, linen cabinets throughout, and big closets in the bedrooms. The layout works well, and every room is spacious.

Residence 3
3,014 square feet
4 – 5 bedrooms, 4.5 – 5.5 bathrooms
Lounge
Optional conservatory at California room
Optional bedroom + bathroom 5 at lounge

Residence 3 is modeled in the Italian style. Upgrades found throughout the house include the painted trim, flooring, window coverings, Honeywell wi-fi color touchscreen thermostat, security package, music package, lighting, wall treatments, and all decorator’s items.

The house has a long entry hall. The stairs are about halfway down on the right. There is a coat closet just past the stairs with storage underneath them. Just inside the front door, a hallway leads to the powder room and first floor bedroom suite. The powder room has a vanity with two cabinets and two small drawers at the bottom. The quartz countertop, knobs, backsplash, framed mirror, and crown molding are all upgrades.

Bedroom 4 is across from the powder room. The room is an average size and has two windows facing the street. The recessed lights, J-box, light fixture, crown molding, and wall paneling are upgrades. An open doorway leads to the vanity and the bypass closet. The vanity is large, with two cabinets and six drawers. The knobs, quartz countertop, Kohler undermount vitreous white china sink, and 6” splash are upgrades. A separate door leads to the shower, which has upgraded tile.

The main entry hall opens to the great room. It is a good size, with two windows on the side and doors across the back in lieu of the standard windows. There are options for folding doors (as modeled) or stacking doors. Additional upgrades in the room include LED recessed lighting, wall-mounted flat screen TV and prewire, and the music package.

 

The kitchen is adjacent to the great room. The large island has seating for four, the sink and dishwasher, and an optional second dishwasher. The microwave and range are across the longer wall and the refrigerator is on the shorter side. There are numerous cabinets and drawers, giving the kitchen more than enough storage. There are pantry-height cupboards on one side of the fridge and an option for a wine fridge (not modeled) on the other. Upgrades found throughout the kitchen include knobs, glass front stacked uppers with puck lighting, tempered glass doors at pantry, quartz countertop, full height tile backsplash, Wolf appliances in stainless steel, Sub-Zero built-in refrigerator, second dishwasher, stainless steel Lenovo Perma Clean undermount single basin sink, Moen “Align” pull-down faucet in chrome with motion sense technology, and J-boxes with LED pendant light fixtures. Access to the two-car garage is in the corner of the kitchen.

The dining area is behind the kitchen and includes a sitting area with a fireplace. Large windows face the backyard and another wall has doors leading to the California room. Even with the sitting area, there is still plenty of space for a dining table.  There is an option to extend the kitchen cabinets all the way through the sitting area. This would eliminate the fireplace and add two windows in its place. There are options for folding or stacking doors to the outside.

The California room is a good size and could be replaced with an indoor conservatory. The rest of the backyard is modeled with a fireplace and pool. The ceiling fan and music package in the California room are upgrades.

O the second floor, there are linen cabinets at the top of the stairs. A door on the right leads to the master suite, which has a long entryway with more linen cabinets at the end. These are shown with an upgraded spa tower in lieu of standard cabinets.

The master bedroom is on the left. It is a very large room, with space for a couch or other seating. Three windows face the back of the house and two more face the side. Upgrades include the recessed lights, j-box, light fixture, music package, and crown molding.

The master bathroom is on the right side of the entry hall. The long vanity has two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and 12 drawers. The knobs, limestone countertop, backsplash, walls, and framed mirrors are upgrades. The tub is next to the vanity. The model shows the optional Kohler Stargaze freestanding tub in lieu of the standard tub and deck. The shower is very long and includes a seat at the end with an upgraded limestone seat. The tile throughout the shower is also upgraded, as is the rain can shower head in chrome. The walk-in closet is on the other side of the vanity and is shown with the standard shelves and poles.

Bedroom 3 is on the left side of the staircase. When you enter the room, the en-suite bathroom is on the left. It has a vanity with one sink, one set of cabinets, and six drawers. The knobs, quartz countertop, tile backsplash, and Kohler undermount vitreous white china sink. The shower/tub combo is also shown with upgraded tile. The closet is on the right side of the room and has three sliding doors. A small window next to the closet has a ledge that can be used for display or books. The bedroom itself has a window facing the front of the house and another on the side. The lighting, crown molding, and detail on the ceiling are upgrades.

The lounge is across from the stairs. It is a very large space with two windows facing the front, two on the side, and a Juliet balcony with double French doors at the front. The lighting, ceiling fan, TV with pre-wire, and cinema package are upgrades.

There is an option to convert the lounge to a fifth bedroom and bathroom. It would have a bypass closet, one window on the side, and two at the front. The en-suite bathroom would have a vanity with one sink and a shower/tub combo.

An alcove off the lounge leads to the laundry room and bedroom 2. The laundry room has a sink and several base cabinets. The upper cabinets over the counter are included but the ones above the machines are upgrades. The knobs, quartz countertop, and 6” splash are upgrades.

Bedroom 2 has two windows facing the side of the house. There is a bypass closet in the back corner of the room. The lighting and molding detail are upgrades. The en-suite bathroom has a vanity with one sink, two cabinets, and two low drawers. The Kohler undermount vitreous china sink, knobs, countertop, and backsplash are upgrades. The shower/tub combo is shown with upgraded tile walls.

Residence 3 is spacious and laid out well. I like the extra sitting area in the dining room and the option for a bonus room or fifth bedroom upstairs.

Residence 4
3,402 square feet (Residence 4X – 3,474 square feet)
4 – 5 bedrooms, 4.5 – 5.5 bathrooms
Den
Lounge
Optional conservatory at California room
Optional bed + bath 5 at lounge

Residence 4 and 4X have the same floor plan. Residence 4X is wider, with the majority of the extra square footage coming in the first-floor bedroom and den. Residence 4 is modeled and shown with upgrades including paint, flooring, window and wall treatments, wood dove tail drawer boxes with soft close guides and soft close hinges, brushed nickel finish package “Voss” series, Honeywell Lyric thermostat, security package, and all decorator’s items.

The home has a long entry hall. It is narrow and doesn’t have a good place for a table or bench. The stairs are near the end of the hall on the right. Unlike the other Padova homes, this one doesn’t have a coat closet by the stairs. Access to the two-car garage is next to the stairs. The cased openings, crown molding, wall paneling, and music package are upgrades.

Just inside the front door, an alcove on the left leads to the powder room and downstairs bedroom. The powder room has a vanity with two cabinets and two small drawers. The cabinets have upgraded Shaker-style doors in white finish with upgraded knobs and pulls. The countertop and splash are upgraded marble. The faucet and coordinating accessories are upgraded to brushed nickel Moen “Voss” and the framed mirror is another upgrade. The top mount sink is the standard sink. There is a small coat closet outside the powder room.

 

Bedroom 4 is at the front of the house. There are doors facing the street, though there isn’t really a patio outside the room. It has a closet with an upgraded, double-sided mirrored door. Upgrades include the lighting and crown molding. In residence 4X, the room would be wider. The en-suite bathroom has a large vanity with two cabinets and six drawers. As in the powder room, the cabinets, knobs, pulls, and faucets are upgraded. The shower has upgraded tile and a heavy clear glass enclosure.

The den is across from the stairs. It has a cased opening with an option for French doors. The room has a big window facing the street. In 4X, it would be wider than in the model. Upgrades include the lighting, mirrored walls, all wall detail, and crown molding.

The dining room is behind the den. The model shows the standard cased opening between the two rooms. There are also options for French doors or a full-height wall. The dining room is a good size and can fit a large table. It has windows on the side, with options for stacking or French doors.

The great room is behind the dining room. It has three windows facing the backyard, without an option for doors. There is a standard fireplace on the left wall. The wall on the right has windows facing the California room, with options for stacking or folding doors. Upgrades to the great room include recessed lighting, cinema package, wall paneling, and crown molding.

The kitchen is across from the dining room. The large island can seat four people and holds the sink, dishwasher, and optional second dishwasher. The rest of the kitchen is L-shaped and has an upgraded appliance package. The model shows a built-in oven and microwave and a large range. The cabinets, knobs, granite countertop at deck, marble countertop at island, and drawer package are upgrades. This kitchen has great storage. The hood, sub-zero fridge, white cast iron apron sink, and Moen “Align” pull-down faucet are also upgrades.

A door in the back corner of the kitchen leads to the walk-in pantry. It has an upgraded organizer system with additional storage under the stairs.

 

The California room is accessed from the kitchen. The model shows folding doors and there is an option for stacking doors. The model shows the optional outdoor kitchen, which has a built-in grill and mini fridge with upgraded granite counter. The lights and music package are additional upgrades. There is an option for a conservatory, which would have cased openings to the kitchen and great room.

The backyard is modeled with a covered patio and large fireplace, with some grass behind the great room.

The lounge is an open room at the top of the stairs. It has two windows on the side of the house and French doors leading to a Juliet balcony overlooking the street. The other two elevations do not have balconies and have two or three windows instead of doors. The lighting, TV and prewire, cinema package, and built-in cabinet are upgrades.

There is an option to convert the lounge to a fifth bedroom and bathroom. The room would be a good size and would have a walk-in closet. The en-suite bathroom would have a vanity with one sink and a shower/tub combo.

An alcove across the stairs leads to the laundry room and secondary bedrooms. There are linen cabinets outside the laundry room. The uppers are included but the doors and knobs are upgraded. The laundry room has matching cabinets and three drawers with a folding counter, though the uppers here are not included. The quartz countertop and tile backsplash are upgrades. The uppers above the machines are also upgrades.

Bedroom 2 is on the side of the house. It has two windows on one wall and a three-door closet on another. The recessed lights are an upgrade. The en-suite bathroom has a vanity with one sink, two cabinets, and two drawers. The cabinets, knobs, pulls, and faucet are upgrades. The shower/tub combo is shown with upgraded tile and a brushed nickel enclosure.

 

Bedroom 3 is across from bedroom 2. When you enter the room, the walk-in closet is on the right. The room is a good size and has windows facing the front and side of the home. One corner has an alcove with an optional built-in desk. The en-suite bathroom has a vanity to match bathroom 2. The shower/tub combo has upgraded tile.

The master suite is on the other side of the stairs. The hallway leading to it has four sets of cabinets, with the uppers included, and the same upgraded cabinet doors as the rest of the home. The master bedroom is quite large. It has three windows facing the backyard and two on the side. The lighting, crown molding, wall paneling, and music package are upgrades. There is an option for a door separating the bedroom from the bathroom.

The master bathroom has a vanity on each side of the doorway. Each one has two sinks, two cabinets, and six drawers. One of them also has an L-shaped extension with a sitting area and more storage. The cabinets, knobs, quartz countertop with 6” splash, Kohler Tresham vitreous china top mount sinks, Moen “Voss” faucet with coordinating accessories, and framed mirrors are upgrades. The bathtub is next to the larger vanity. It has an upgraded deck to match the counters. The shower is quite large. It has matching quartz, upgraded tile walls, and a rain can shower head in brushed nickel. The walk-in closet is also a good size and is shown with the standard shelves and poles.

Residence 4 is similar to the other Padova homes, with the key difference being the addition of the den downstairs.

The Padova collection has large, luxury homes with spacious rooms and gourmet kitchens. The homes are large, but not as big as Alta Vista and Bella Vista, so they seem more manageable for an average family.

The Lucca collection opened last year in Orchard Hills in the gated enclave of The Groves. Built by The New Home Company, there will be 40 single-family homes on 6,500 square foot lots. The two floorplans range from 4,189 – 4,624 square feet, with 5 – 7 bedrooms and 4.5 – 6.5 bathrooms. Both models include a bonus room, den, first-floor bedroom, and 2-car garage. Elevations include Northern Italian, Provence, and Monterey. Approximately half of the Lucca homes have already been sold and, while there will be a few homes open in the spring and early summer, the current move-in time is approximately eight months from now.

Included Features
The upscale Lucca homes come standard with Jeld-Wen fiberglass entry doors; Andersen windows; Baldwin front door hardware; European frameless style cabinets in white thermofoil; 5” baseboards; window casing; Kwikset interior door hardware; and a painted wood stairway system. The kitchens include a Wolf appliance package with 48” rangetop with 6 burners and griddle, 24” microwave, 30” single oven, and 48” wall hood; Kohler stainless steel sink; Restoration Hardware faucet; 9-ply, dovetail, self-closing drawer boxes; and granite countertops. The bathrooms have Kohler sinks; Restoration Hardware plumbing fixtures and accessories (per plan); beveled mirror in master and powder rooms; and clear glass shower enclosures with chrome trim.

Optional amenity upgrades offered by The New Home Company include refrigerators, ancillary appliance packages, fireplace at great room and conservatory, tub enclosures, cabinet finishes and styles, custom countertops, tile, flooring, window treatments, home audio and alarm options, smart home systems, finish trim and wall treatments, and solar systems.

Schools
Students living in Lucca will attend schools in the Tustin Unified School District.  Children in grades K – 4 currently attend Hicks Canyon Elementary while students in grades 5 – 8 attend Orchard Hills School. However, beginning in August 2018, Orchard Hills School will open for all students in grades K – 8, offering Lucca families a chance to attend a school much closer to home. Students in grades 9 – 12 are served by Beckman High School.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information
Approximate HOA Dues: $279 per month for the Orchard Hills Association
Basic Property Tax Rate: Approximately 1.05%
Overall Effective Tax Rate: Approximately 1.45%
Pricing on currently available homesites: $1,998,880 – $2,078,390 for Residence 1 and $2,238,800 for Residence 2

Residence 1
4,189 – 4,741 square feet
5 – 7 bedrooms, 4.5 – 6.5 bathrooms
Den
Bonus Room
Music/Dining Room
Storage garage
Optional multi-generational suite at storage garage + music/dining room
Optional expanded great room
Optional conservatory
Optional chef’s or prep kitchen at walk-in pantry
Optional studio/game room
Optional casita
Current pricing ranges from $1,998,800 – $2,078,390 (latter includes over $188,000 in options and upgrades)

When I visited, there were two Residence 1 homes that were near completion and ready for purchase. One will be available for a June move-in and sits on a 6,246 square foot lot and the other will be available in August or September and is on a 5,775 square foot lot. Upgrades found throughout the model include custom countertops, cabinet doors and finish, cabinet hardware in pewter, pain, plumbing options and bath fixtures in satin nickel, bath accessories, crown molding, wall finishes, light fixtures, structured wiring, audio and alarm systems, audio components, flooring, window treatments, electrical, and all decorator’s items.

Inside, there is a long hallway leading back to the common rooms with the staircase running alongside it. An alcove on the right leads to a small coat closet and access to the storage garage. While the garage has a roll-up door on the outside, it is too small for a car and doesn’t have a driveway, so it truly is just for storage.

The music room is also to the right of the entry. It has two windows facing the side of the home and upgraded exposed beams on the ceiling. The stone wall and cased opening are additional upgrades. This room could also be a formal dining room, though it cannot connect to the kitchen.

The storage garage and music/dining room could be converted to a multi-generational living suite. In this case, the alcove outside the room would still have a coat closet, but it would sit on a different wall and there wouldn’t be a door to the garage. The door of the current closet would lead into the suite, with the living area on the left and bedroom on the right. The living room would have a single window facing the side and doesn’t list an option for a kitchenette. The bedroom would have one window on the side and another facing the street. There would be a bypass closet. The bathroom would be between the living room and bedroom. It would have a small vanity with a single sink and a shower but no tub.

The main entry hall ends at the gourmet kitchen. The room has a huge island. One side has the sink, two dishwashers, and four cabinets, while the other side has seating for 4 – 5 people. The cooktop and oven are on one wall and the microwave and fridge are on the other. There are numerous cabinets and drawers offering plenty of storage. There is an upgraded Wolf appliance package with a 48” range, 30” warming drawer, 30” E-series drop-down microwave, sub-zero 48” refrigerator, and Asko 24” second dishwasher (on the left). Additional upgrades include the countertops, backsplash, and cabinet finish in Anew Gray (group 2). The brushed nickel kitchen faucet, pot filler, crown molding, and pendant lights are also upgrades.

There is a walk-in pantry off the corner of the kitchen. It comes standard with shelving throughout and a standard door. The optional chef’s kitchen seen in the model has a single light French glass door (which is an additional upgrade, as the standard chef’s kitchen has no door), sub-zero 30” refrigerator, and built in Wolf coffee maker. It also has a counter, numerous cabinets, and several drawers. The back corner still has built-in shelves for food storage and there is a separate closet with storage beneath the stairs.

There is a walk-in pantry off the corner of the kitchen. It comes standard with shelving throughout and a standard door. The optional chef’s kitchen seen in the model has a single light French glass door (which is an additional upgrade, as the standard chef’s kitchen has no door), sub-zero 30” refrigerator, and built in Wolf coffee maker. It also has a counter, numerous cabinets, and several drawers. The back corner still has built-in shelves for food storage and there is a separate closet with storage beneath the stairs.

The walk-in pantry can also be a prep kitchen. It would have a standard door, sink, dishwasher, cooktop, and refrigerator. There would be some counter space, cabinets, and drawers, but no true pantry with shelving. It would still have the closet under the stairs, so you could add shelves there for food storage.

The great room is behind the kitchen. There are two windows facing the back of the house and sliding doors leading to the backyard. There is an option for a fireplace beneath the TV. The recessed lights are included but the crown molding is an upgrade.

The far end of the great room is modeled as a dining room, where there are three windows facing the backyard.

The standard floorplan has a den behind the dining room with the two open doorways as shown in the model. There are options for doors separating the rooms. The den would include lower base cabinets with a finished wood top. However, the model shows the optional wet bar instead of the standard room. Both options have two windows on the side and sliding doors leading to the backyard. The bar has seating for 4 – 5 people. Upgraded appliances in the bar include a sub-zero 15” ice maker, under counter beverage center, and under counter wine fridge; Bosch 18” dishwasher, Wolf 30” E-series drop down microwave; and workstation galley 4 with Cahill sink in satin nickel and disposal.

There is an option for an expanded great room, which would encompass the full space occupied by the great room, dining area, and den/wet bar. This option is not available with the outdoor loggia and casita/game room that I will describe below.

The backyard is spacious. The model shows the optional outdoor living room. This covered space stretches across the entire back of the home and includes recessed lights. The rest of the backyard is shown hardscaped with a wood deck at one end, pool in the middle, and built0in bar seating at the other.

There are additional options for the backyard area. One option splits the current outdoor living room in half, with the outdoor portion behind the den area and an indoor conservatory behind the great room. With this plan, the den would have sliding doors to the outdoor room, the great room would be fully open to the conservatory, and the conservatory would have windows facing the backyard, an optional fireplace, and sliding doors on the left that lead to the outdoor room. Another option converts the entire outdoor living room to an indoor conservatory, which would be open to both the great room and the den. It would have windows on the left, an optional fireplace on the right, sliding or bi-fold doors on half the back wall and windows on the other half.

As mentioned above, there is also an option for a loggia and casita or loggia and studio/game room. If you choose either of these options, you cannot have an expanded great room, outdoor living room, or conservatory in any configuration. The loggia would be an outdoor room behind the great room. It would have sliding doors connecting it to the great room and open walls to the backyard on the left and right. With the casita, there would be a standard door on the back wall and with the studio, there would be sliding doors on the back wall of the loggia. The casita would have a bedroom with two windows on the right wall and sliding doors on the left. There would be a walk-in closet and bathroom across the back. The bathroom would have a single sink and a shower. If you chose the studio/game room, it would also have windows on the right and sliding doors on the left. The room would be bigger, as it wouldn’t have a bathroom. There would be an option for built-in cabinets across the back wall.

A hallway across from the kitchen leads to the powder room and first-floor bedroom suite. The powder room includes the pedestal sink as shown. The mirror and crown molding are upgrades. Access to the garage is next to the powder room. A set of included base cabinets with a short counter and single drawer offer a small drop zone.

The bedroom has two windows facing the side of the house and a bypass closet. The recessed lights are included but the crown molding is an upgrade. The closet is shown with an upgraded organizer system. The en-suite bathroom has a vanity with a good amount of counter space and an upgraded countertop. The shower comes standard with a semi-frameless ¼” glass enclosure in chrome. The framed mirror is an upgrade.

Though there are numerous options for the layout of the first floor, there aren’t any on the second floor. Bedroom 4 is at the top of the stairs on the right. It is a little bigger than the room downstairs. There is a small window facing the street and a slightly larger one on the side. There is a bypass closet shown with the standard shelf and pole. Upgrades in the room include the ceiling fan and prewire, crown molding, and cased openings. The en-suite bathroom has a large vanity with one sink, four cabinets, and three drawers. The shower is through a separate door. The countertop, backsplash, shower tile and full-height shower surround are all upgrades.

The laundry room is across from bedroom 4. It has space for side-by-side machines and is shown with the optional upper cabinets. The other wall has a sink and counter, though you have to close the door if you want to use the counter for folding. There is a small window above the sink.

The master suite is next to the laundry room. There are base linen cabinets and optional upper cabinets outside the suite, shown with an upgraded counter. The bedroom is quite large and has space for a sitting area. Two windows face the side of the house and three more face the backyard. The recessed lights are included but the crown molding is an upgrade.

The master bathroom is through an open doorway, though there is an option for a door. Base linen cabinets with optional uppers sit across from the doorway and are modeled as an upgraded curio with glass doors. The walk-in closet is on the left and has a fully upgraded organizer system. In the bathroom, there are two vanities, each with a single sink, two cabinets, and six drawers. The bathtub and shower sit between them, with the tub deck forming a seat in the shower. Upgrades include the countertop, backsplash, tile surround and seat, and wall sconces.

Bedroom 3 is at the end of the hall. It has windows facing the side of the house and is shown with upgraded crown molding and wall treatment. There is a walk-in closet off the bathroom shown with the standard shelves and poles.

 

The room has a unique Jack-and-Jill bathroom. There is a vanity area off bedroom 3 with a sink, ample counter space, four cabinets, and two drawers. A separate doorway leads to the shower/tub combo and toilet. Yet another door leads to a separate vanity area, with a slightly smaller vanity that connects to bedroom 2. In the bathroom, the tub enclosure, crown molding, beveled mirror, and custom tile are upgrades.

 

Bedroom 2 has an entry hall where the bathroom is and opens to a room that is comparable in size to bedroom 3. It has two windows on the side of the house and two more facing the backyard. There is a standard bypass closet.

An open hallway along the staircase leads to the bonus room and has space for bookshelves or a desk. The bonus room is large, with two windows facing the street and two more on the side. The ceiling fan and prewire are upgrades. The room is easily big enough to divide into two separate spaces if desired.

This home has great options for customization, including the private living suite inside the home and the casita behind it. I also like having a separate sitting room at the front of the house with the standard music room.

Residence 2
4,624 – 5,180
6 – 7 bedrooms, 5.5 – 6.5 bathrooms
Den/Office
Bonus Room
Optional multi-generational suite at bedroom 6 + den
Optional loggia and casita or studio/game room
Pricing on currently available home: $2,238,800

Residence 2 is set up with the sales office inside, occupying the space that would be the garage. Normally, the home has a two-car garage with a large storage area at the back. Upgrades found throughout the home include cabinetry and hardware, countertops, backsplashes, 7” baseboards, bath fixtures and accessories, light fixtures, structured wiring, audio and alarm systems, flooring, window treatments, and all decorator’s items.

The home has a wide entry, with the stairs on the right and space for a bench or console next to them.

A doorway on the right leads to the den and bedroom 6. The den/office is a large room with two windows facing the street and one more on the side. The glass French door is an upgrade from the standard open doorway.

Bedroom 6 is next to the den. It has two windows on the side of the house and includes the recessed lighting. There is an en-suite bathroom, with an open doorway leading to the vanity. It has a bit of counter space on each side and four cabinets below. A door on the right leads to the shower and a door on the left leads to the walk-in closet. Upgrades include the countertop, backsplash, full-height tile surround, RH jet spray shower head, and Ladena undermount sink.

There is an option to convert the den and bedroom 6 into a multi-generational suite. The footprint would be almost identical to the current plan, with the exception being that the bedroom wouldn’t be accessible from the hall and there would be an actual door between the hall and the living area. There would be an open doorway between the living area and bedroom. It also has an option for built-in cabinets in the living area.

Halfway down the main entry hall, there is a small coat closet on the right. An alcove on the left leads to the garage access door and a set of base linen cabinets. The countertop is upgraded. The powder room is across from the garage. It has a floating vanity with two large drawers instead of the standard pedestal sink. Additional upgrades include the beveled mirror with chrome rosettes, sconces, and Ladena undermount sink.

 

The formal dining room is at the end of the hall on the right. It is a more defined space than the dining area in residence 1. There are two windows facing the side and it has upgraded ceiling beams.

The great room is behind the dining room. It has two windows on the side and sliding doors at the back. There is an option for a fireplace between the windows. The stacking sliders are upgraded. The room is quite spacious and open to both the dining room and the kitchen.

There is space for a casual dining area between the great room and the kitchen. It has two windows that face the backyard.

The kitchen has a wide island with seating for four on one side. The other side has the sink and two dishwashers (one is an upgrade). The cooktop is on one wall and the fridge, microwave and oven are on the other in the standard plan; however, the cooktop is upgraded to a full range so there is an upgraded warming drawer in lieu of the wall oven. There are upgraded Wolf appliances, including a 48” dual fuel range, 48” hood and 1200 CFM blower, 30” oven, 30” E series drop down microwave, and the warming drawer. The 24” Asko dishwashers and sub-zero 30” refrigerator with 18” freezer are also upgraded. Additional upgrades found in the kitchen include the Kohler 36” Whitehaven apron sink, custom countertops and backsplash, waterfall island with 14” deep base at back, cabinets in Metro Tyburn (group 3), roll-out shelves, pot and pan drawers, and pendant lighting with prewire. The kitchen includes a walk-in pantry with an upgraded French door and organizers.

As in residence 1, there are options for a prep kitchen or chef’s kitchen. Both would be accessed from the walk-in pantry and would occupy most of the garage’s storage area. Each would have L-shaped counters and cabinets with a refrigerator at one end. The prep kitchen would have a cooktop and sink while the chef’s kitchen would have a built-in coffee maker.

The options for the backyard are also similar to residence one. You can choose an outdoor living room or a conservatory. Both options could go behind the kitchen and nook or behind the great room but can’t stretch the full length of the house. There are also options for a loggia and casita or loggia and studio/game room. Again, they could be either behind the kitchen or behind the great room. Unlike residence 1, you could have a loggia combination and outdoor room or conservatory. The casita would have a full bathroom and walk-in closet and the studio/game room would have an option for built-in cabinets. The model shows the loggia and studio/game room option.

The backyard is shown with a combination of hardscape and landscape and a built-in grill.

There are five bedrooms and a bonus room on the second floor without any options to customize the floorplan. Bedroom 5 is at the top of the stairs on the right. It has two windows facing the side of the house and a closet with three drawers that occupies one full wall. The recessed lights are included but the crown molding, RH flushmount light, and closet organizer are upgrades. The en-suite bathroom has a large vanity with one sink, four cabinets and three drawers. The shower is smaller than average but not tiny. Upgrades include the shower head, cased opening at bath entry, Ladena undermount sink, and beveled mirror.

The master suite is next to bedroom 5. The bedroom is quite large, with three windows facing the backyard and two more on the side. The recessed lighting is included but the crown molding is an upgrade. There is an option for a door separating the bedroom and bathroom.

As you enter the bathroom, the walk-in closet is on the left. It has an upgraded organizer. There is one large vanity with two sinks and numerous drawers. The shower and tub are across from the vanity, with the tub forming a ledge in the shower. The shower has a full seat on another side. Upgrades in the bathroom include the counter, backsplash, all drawers in lieu of cabinets, ¾” clear glass shower enclosure in chrome, rainfall shower head, handheld shower at tub, Ladena undermount sinks, mirrors, and sconces.

Bedroom 3 is on the opposite side of the landing. It is the smallest bedroom and has just one window facing the side of the house. There is a standard bypass closet. The crown molding, ceiling fan, and prewire are upgrades.

There is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between bedrooms 3 and 2. It has two sinks in a shared vanity, with two sets of cabinets and three drawers. The shower/tub combo is through a separate door. The Ladena undermount sinks are upgraded.

Bedroom 2 is at the back of the house and is much larger than bedroom 3. There are three windows facing the back and one on the side. The crown molding is an upgrade. The bypass closet is in an entry hall to the room.

 

The laundry room is off the same hall as bedrooms 2 and 3. It has a sink with a small counter, three base cabinets, and several optional uppers. There are side-by-side machines. The countertop, Kohler glen single basin undermount sink, and “Cahill” prep size faucet are all upgrades.

The bonus room is off the main landing. There are base linen cabinets outside the door with an option for uppers. The counter is upgraded. The room is a good size, with three windows on the side of the house and recessed lights.

Bedroom 4 is next to the bonus room. The bathroom is off the entryway. It has a small vanity with three drawers in lieu of cabinets and an upgraded undermount sink. There is a shower with a seat and upgraded jet spray shower head. The large bedroom has two windows facing the side of the house and French doors leading to a Juliet balcony. The closet has three sliding doors but is smaller than the one in bedroom 5. The lights are included but the crown molding is upgraded.

Having five bedrooms and a bonus room upstairs will be great for a large family. The flexibility downstairs and in the backyard allows buyers to customize the home to best suit their needs.

The Lucca collection is great for families searching for a larger house. It isn’t as far into the hills as Bella Vista and Alta Vista, making it closer to the school and neighborhood amenities.

Talise is the last of the new neighborhoods that recently opened in Portola Springs. These homes are set slightly apart from the Brisa and Celeste collections, closer to the new Ridgetop Park. Built by California Pacific Homes, the collection consists of 112 detached condominiums. The four floorplans are the same as the Trellis Court collection in Cypress Village. Homes range from 1,806 – 2.070 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in each. Some models include a loft, and all have an attached, 2-car garage. Elevations include Italian and Spanish exteriors.

Included Features
The Talise homes have fire resistant, concrete tile roofs; environmentally conscious landscaping; energy efficient dual glazed low-E glass vinyl windows; Lemieux Wood or Thermatru entry door with Montana forge handle set in Tuscan bronze; central air with programmable thermostat and whole house fan; high efficiency gas furnace; efficient tankless water heater; and energy saving solatube daylighting system at select locations. The kitchens come standard with stainless steel Bosch appliances, including a built-in 5-burner gas cooktop, 30” oven, microwave drawer, dishwasher, and Broan 600 CFM hood; satin white thermofoil cabinets with shaker style doors and satin nickel knobs; Della Terra quartz countertops in Vegas with 6” splash and full splash at cooktop; sterling stainless steel single basin sink with Brizo Solna polished chrome faucet; and cabinet depth refrigerator space pre-plumbed for ice maker. In the master suites, you will find a stall shower with 3” x 6” matte white tile surround and clear glass enclosure in polished chrome; and a vanity with dual under mount sinks with cultured marble countertop and Moen Voss polished chrome faucets. Throughout the homes, the standard features are satin white thermofoil cabinets with shaker style doors and satin nickel knobs; 2-story volume ceiling at living room; ceramic tile flooring at entry, kitchen, baths and laundry; plush carpet throughout living areas; framed single panel smooth interior doors with Schlage Siena egg knobs in satin nickel; bullnose corners; LED recessed lighting in select rooms; structured wiring with enhanced CAT-5E wire to support phone and high speed internet, multi-media outlet to support phone/data and television at great room, and TV and data outlet at all bedrooms; and powder room with pedestal sink with Moen Voss polished chrome faucet and beveled mirror.

Schools
Students living in Talise will attend schools in the Irvine Unified School District.  Children in grades K – 6 will attend Portola Springs Elementary School. Loma Ridge Elementary School is projected to open in August 2019 and will replace Portola Springs as the assigned elementary school for all Talise homes. Students in grades 7 – 8 will attend Jeffrey Trail Middle School. Students in grades 9 – 10 will attend Portola High School, with plans to add grade 11 in August 2018 and grade 12 in August 2019. Students currently in grades 11 and 12 will attend Northwood High School. All boundaries are subject to change.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information
Approximate HOA Dues: $243 ($109 for Talise Neighborhood Association and $134 for Portola Springs Community Association)
Basic Property Tax Rate: Approximately 1.05%
CFD Tax: $1,700 per year
AD Tax: $2,350 per year
Current prices start at $934,149 for Residence 1, $910,223 for Residence 2, and $934,172 for Residence 3, and $985,812 for Residence 4.

Residence 1
1,806 square feet
4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
Current pricing: $934,149

Residence 1 is the smallest home in Talise. Upgrades found throughout the home include an entry door with clear glass panels, brushed satin nickel cabinet cone knobs, 5 ¼” baseboards, bath accessories and fixtures in brushed nickel, flooring, built-in speakers for music, and all designer touches such as window and wall treatments, ceiling fans, and lighting.

When you enter the front gate, you walk into a loggia that connects to the main courtyard. This is the home’s only outdoor space. It has plenty of space for a seating area and could also hold a grill, though you’d have to pass through the living and dining rooms to get to the kitchen. The model shows the optional trellis. After passing through the loggia and into the house, the entryway faces the staircase and has space for a small table next to it.

A hallway to the right leads to the first-floor bedroom suite. When you enter, there is an option for a built-in dresser on the left, just outside the doorway to the bedroom. The model shows a 12-drawer highboy with maple shaker-style cabinets in Fog. Without this option, there would be linen cabinets in that space. The bathroom is also just outside the doorway to the bedroom. It is fully upgraded, including a vanity with a Della Terra quartz countertop in Victoria, tile detail at vanity splash and shower, and frameless shower enclosure. The shower is a good size and has a corner seat.

 

The bedroom itself is through an open doorway. It is an average size, with three windows facing the street and another on the side. The model shows the optional French doors leading out to the loggia, giving the bedroom a private entrance. One corner has upgraded, built-in floating shelves; these are an upgrade from a standard coat closet. The regular bi-pass closet was eliminated and replaced with the optional kitchenette. It has a sink, under counter refrigerator, and Della Terra quartz countertop in Victoria. With all of the upgrades in the model, this bedroom suite completely lacks a closet.

An arched doorway on the left side of the entryway leads to the living room. A small window faces one side and sliding doors leading to the courtyard fill another wall. The vaulted ceiling allows for additional windows higher on the wall that bring in extra light. The model shows the optional bi-fold patio door in lieu of a center open sliding glass door. The outlet for the pendant light is an upgrade.

The dining room is between the living room and kitchen, though it doesn’t have a fully defined space. There are two windows facing the side. Because the area is fluid, a table of any size could work. Access to the garage is at the border of the dining room and kitchen. There is space to put a table next to the door for a drop zone.

The u-shaped kitchen is at the back of the house. The island is on the smaller side, with just the microwave and a couple of cabinets, but no seating. The microwave is very low (like the oven) so not as convenient as a wall-mounted microwave. The left side of the kitchen has the sink and dishwasher, the back wall has the cooktop and oven, and the right side has the fridge. Upgrades in the kitchen include the Della Terra quartz countertop in Victoria with full tile splash, frosted glass cabinet doors at range, Whirlpool refrigerator, maple Shaker-style cabinets in Fog, and Brizo Solna faucet in brilliant stainless.

 

The staircase is back by the entryway. There is a landing after the first three steps before it turns up to the right. The powder room is located on that landing and is shown with an upgraded framed mirror. It includes the standard pedestal sink.

The laundry room is near the top of the stairs. It has space for side-by-side machines and includes the upper cabinets.

Bathroom 2 is across from the laundry room. The vanity has a small counter, one cabinet, and two drawers. The vanity splash is upgraded. There is a shower/tub combo with upgraded tile to match the splash and an upgraded brushed nickel enclosure.

Bedroom 2 has windows facing the side of the home and one smaller one facing the back. There is a standard bypass closet with basic shelves and poles. The recessed lights are an upgrade.

 

A key difference between this home and its Trellis Court counterpart is at bedroom 4. In the other home, there is a loft instead of a bedroom. In this home, the room has one window facing the street. There is a set of base linen cabinets just inside the doorway and a walk-in closet next to them.

An L-shaped hallway leads to the master suite. The room has two windows facing the side and a small one facing the back. The long, narrow, walk-in closet is off the bedroom, rather than through the bathroom. It is shown with upgraded organizers and an upgraded, double-sided mirrored door. There is an option to put a door between the bedroom and bathroom.

The master bathroom has a vanity with two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and three drawers. It has an upgraded Della Terra quartz countertop and splash. It sits across from the bathtub and shower, which are side-by-side. The bathtub has an upgraded deck to match the vanity and provides a narrow ledge in the shower. The tile at the bathtub and shower are upgraded, as is the brushed nickel shower enclosure.

Residence 1 has a good layout overall. However, it lacks a coat closet and doesn’t have enough general storage space.

Residence 2
1,827 square feet
4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
Current pricing: $910,223

Residence 2 faces the street, with the garage on the side of the house off a shared motor court. Upgrades found throughout the model include egg knob interior door hardware in oil rubbed bronze, egg knobs on cabinets in Gun Metal, 5 ¼” baseboards, flooring, built-in speakers, window and wall treatments, lighting, and all decorator’s items.

The foyer is very small, with a wall directly across from the front door, though there isn’t much room for an entry console. The stairs to the second floor and powder room are just to the left of the foyer. The powder room is shown with the standard pedestal sink and an upgraded framed mirror. Access to the garage is across from the powder room.

The kitchen is to the right of the entry. The island is much bigger than in residence 1 and has seating for 3-4 people on one side and an under-counter microwave on another. The rest of the kitchen is L-shaped, with the sink and dishwasher on one wall and the cooktop, oven, and fridge on another. There is a pantry-height cupboard at one end and a window above the sink that faces the street. Upgrades include a Bosch appliance package with an 800 Series convection oven and dishwasher, Whirlpool refrigerator, Della Terra quartz countertop and island in Lagos with full tile splash, soft close doors and drawers, roll-out pantry shelves, and reverse osmosis system.

 

The dining room is adjacent to the kitchen. As in residence 1, it is an open space with some flexibility in the setup. Two windows face the side of the home and a full wall offers plenty of space for a hutch. The model shows a built-in console on the full wall.

The living room is adjacent to the dining room. While the dining room has a standard ceiling, the living room has a vaulted ceiling.  Two windows face the side, sliding doors face the backyard, and additional windows high on the walls bring in more light. The sliding doors shown are standard for the Talise models. The ceiling outlet, light fixture, and built-in media unit are upgrades.

There is an alcove off the living room with built-in base cabinets and the entry to bedroom 4. There is an option for a door separating the living room from the alcove. Inside the bedroom, one wall is filled with the optional kitchenette. It includes numerous doors, a sink, and an under-counter refrigerator. The Della Terra quartz countertop and splash in Lagos are upgraded. The bedroom is a good size, but doesn’t really have a sitting area, so it’s not a full living suite. There is a walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom. The bedroom also has two windows and a French door leading to the courtyard. The bathroom has a small vanity with a single sink, one cabinet, and two drawers. The shower is a good size and has a narrow seat across one side. Upgrades include the pental quartz countertop, splash, and shower seat in Lattice, the tile detail at shower, ADA bath fixtures, and accessories in polished chrome.

   

The courtyard is accessible from both the dining room and bedroom. It is shown mostly hardscaped, with a bit of landscaping along the edges.

Upstairs, the rooms all come off one hallway. There is a narrow set of base linen cabinets near the stairs.

The master suite is across from the staircase. The bedroom has two windows facing the front and one on the side. There is a walk-in closet in one corner, shown with the standard shelves and poles. It has an option for a pocket door separating the bedroom and bathroom. The recessed lighting is upgraded.

The master bathroom has a vanity with two sinks, two sets of cabinets and three drawers. The bathtub and shower are side-by-side, with the tub deck forming a ledge in the shower. The shower isn’t very wide. Upgrades in the bathroom include the pental quartz countertop and tub deck in Cotton White, tile at vanity splash, tub, and shower, and the framed mirror.

A hallway to the left of the stairs leads to the laundry room, secondary bedrooms, and the secondary bath. The laundry room is on the right. There is space for side-by-side machines and the upper cabinets are included.

Bedroom 3 is on the left side of the hall. It has a single window on the side that overlooks the motor court.  There is a walk-in closet in one corner, shown with the standard shelves and poles. The recessed lighting, designer sconce, and outlet are upgrades.

There is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between bedrooms 3 and 2. The vanity has two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and three narrow drawers. The shower/tub combo is through a separate door. The tile detail at vanity splash and shower are upgrades, but the countertop is standard.

Bedroom 2 has a pocket door separating it from the bathroom. The only window faces the back of the house. This room has a bypass closet instead of a walk-in. The room is shown without upgrades (aside from those found throughout the entire home).

The courtyard in this home is a good size for a condo and I like the layout. The optional kitchenette in the first-floor bedroom is a good addition for those looking for a private suite.

Residence 3
1,940 square feet
4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
Loft
Current pricing: $934,172

Residence 3 homes are set back from the street behind residence 2. The front door faces the walkway, on the opposite side of the house from the garage and motor court. Upgrades found throughout the model include satin white thermafoil contemporary style cabinets with brushed nickel pulls, flooring, built-in speakers, window and wall treatments, lighting, custom carpentry, ceiling fans, and all decorator’s items.

The entryway is small and angular, leaving little space for a table or bench.

On the left side of the entry, a short hallway leads to bedroom 4. The model shows the optional kitchenette in lieu of the linen cabinets in this hall. It includes a sink and under-counter refrigerator. Additional upgrades to the kitchenette include the pental quartz countertop in Stormy Sky and the frosted glass upper doors. The bedroom has a single window facing the front walkway and a standard bypass closet with an upgraded door. The en-suite bathroom has a small vanity with one sink. The countertop, vanity splash, and shower seat are all upgraded Pental quartz. The shower also has upgraded tile.

The kitchen is to the right of the entryway. The island is small and doesn’t have seating but does have the microwave drawer and a few cabinets. The rest of the kitchen is u-shaped, with the sink and dishwasher on one wall, the cooktop and oven across the back, and the fridge and pantry on a third. A window above the sink faces the side of the home. The cabinetry, pental quartz countertop in Calcutta, and full tile splash are upgrades. Additional upgrades include the Bertazzoni stainless steel 4-burner range and 600 CFM hood, Bosch microwave drawers, Bosch dishwasher, and KitchenAid refrigerator.

The dining room is next to the kitchen. It is a fluid space between the kitchen and living room, allowing space for a table of any size. One wall has sliding doors leading out to the courtyard in lieu of the standard windows.

The powder room is off an alcove between the living and dining rooms. It shows the standard pedestal sink and mirror. Access to the garage is next to the powder room.

The living room is on the other side of the dining room. As in all Talise homes, it has a vaulted ceiling with windows high on the walls. There are three windows on the side of the house and sliding doors at the back. The outlet for the pendant light is an upgrade. The staircase is in the back corner of the room.

The yard in this model is pretty small, with space for a table and grill behind the living room. A side yard runs the full length of the house, shown in the model with partial landscaping and a patio off the dining room.

The staircase opens to a loft with a railing overlooking the living room. Two large windows face the side of the house. It is a small room, but a good space for a playroom or office. The built-in cabinets are an upgrade.

The other rooms all come off one long hall. Bedroom 3 is on the left, just past the stairs. It has a window facing the front walkway and a bypass closet that is smaller than average. The recessed lighting and outlet for the ceiling fan are upgraded.

The laundry room is on the right side of the hall. It is a tiny room with the washer on one side of the doorway and the dryer on the other. Both have a set of upper cabinets above them.

The secondary bathroom is across from the laundry room. The vanity has two sinks, two large cabinets, and three small drawers. The countertop and splash show the standard white cultured marble.  A separate door leads to the shower/tub combo, which has upgraded tile.

Bedroom 2 is the last room on the left. Its window faces the front walkway. The room is comparable in size to bedroom 3 and has a similar bypass closet. The recessed lighting and ceiling outlet are upgrades.

The master suite is across from bedroom 2. It has two windows facing the motor court and one more on the side of the house. The walk-in closet shows the standard shelves and poles and, as in the other Talise homes, is off the bedroom.  The recessed LED lighting is an upgrade. There is an option for a door between the bedroom and bathroom.

The master bathroom has two sinks set into a shared vanity, with two sets of cabinets and one set of drawers. The bathtub is across from the vanity. The shower is adjacent to the tub but is a full stall, so there isn’t a shared ledge. The shower has a full seat at the back. Upgrades in the bathroom include the pental quartz countertop and tub deck in Avenue Grey and the tile detail at vanity splash, tub, and shower.

Residence 3 is the first Talise home to have four bedrooms and a loft, giving it more space than the first two homes. The first-floor bedroom has a lot of privacy and none of the bedrooms upstairs share walls with each other.

Residence 4
2,070 square feet
4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms,
Loft
Current pricing: $985,485

Residence 4 is the only Talise home over 2,000 square feet. It is always a back unit, with the front door facing the walkway and the garage on the opposite side, off a motor court. It is usually a back unit, behind residence 1. Upgrades found throughout the model include Latitude lever interior door hardware in satin nickel, wrought iron stair system in Carbon Copy, brushed nickel bath fixtures and accessories, 5 ½” baseboards, flooring, built-in speakers, windows and wall treatment, paint, lighting, ceiling fans, and other designer touches.

The entryway is small, but the setup would allow for a table or bench across from the door. Access to the garage is just down the hall to the right.

Bedroom 4 is also to the right of the foyer. The room is a good size, with windows facing the walkway and side of the house. There is a bypass closet shown with the standard shelves, poles, and doors. The built-in drawers next to the closet are an upgrade. The en-suite bathroom has a small vanity with one sink and a shower with a narrow seat. The pental quartz countertop, splash, and shower seat in White Macaubus, tile detail at shower, and brushed nickel shower enclosure are all upgrades.

The living room is left of the foyer. Several windows face the side of the house and doors lead to the courtyard, which is right next to the front door. The living room has vaulted ceilings with additional windows near the top. The model shows upgraded outlets for pendant lights and bi-fold patio doors in lieu of the standard center-open sliders. The built-in cabinets beneath the TV are also an upgrade.

The dining room is just behind the living room, with the stairs between them to help define the space. It is a big area, shown with a sliding glass door in lieu of the standard window.

The kitchen is behind the dining room. The island can seat three people and it has the microwave and a few cabinets on the other side. The kitchen is u-shaped, with the sink and dishwasher on the left, the cooktop and oven in the middle, and the fridge on the right. There is a completely upgraded Thermador appliance package, including a 5-burner cooktop, convection oven, microwave, dishwasher, Broan 600 CFM hood, and cabinet option for built-in refrigerator. Additional upgrades include the full tile splash to ceiling, Brizo Solna faucet in Brilliant Stainless, and the sterling double-basin sink. Residence 4 is the only Talise home with a walk-in pantry, which also has extra storage under the stairs. The model shows it with an upgraded storage system and frosted glass door.

The courtyard is off the living room, with the biggest space being at the front of the home. However, it does wrap all the way around the back and alongside the kitchen on the far side.

The staircase is behind the dining room. The powder room is on a landing after the first couple of steps. It has a pedestal sink and an upgraded framed mirror.

There is an open loft at the top of the stairs, with one step up from the landing. It is above the kitchen, looking down on the dining room and living room. There are two windows on the side of the house. The model has upgraded, built-in cabinets. A little nook in one corner could hold a built-in desk.

A hallway to the right of the stairs leads to the other rooms and, like the loft, there is one more step up from the landing.

Bedroom 3 is the first room on the left. It is a good size with a single window facing the back of the house. There is a bypass closet just to the right of the door. The recessed lights are an upgrade.

There is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom connected to bedrooms 2 and 3. It has a vanity with two sinks, two sets of cabinets, and three drawers. The tile detail at vanity splash is upgraded but the counter is standard. The shower/tub combo is through a separate door and is shown with the standard tile.

Bedroom 2 is similar in size to bedroom 3. It has a single window on the side of the house and a walk-in closet. The recessed lighting is an upgrade.

The laundry room is across the hall from bedroom 2. It has side-by-side machines and linen cabinets above them.

The master suite is at the end of the hall. The room has windows facing the front walkway and overlooking the courtyard.  The recessed LED lighting is an upgrade. This is the only Talise home where the closet is accessed from the bathroom, rather than the bedroom. The model shows an upgraded barn door separating the bedroom from the bathroom; there is also an option for a pocket door.

The master bathroom has a vanity with two sinks, shown with an upgraded Della Terra quartz countertop and splash in Vegas. The framed mirror above it is also upgraded. The shower sits on one side of the vanity while the bathtub is on the other. The tub has an upgraded deck to match the counter and upgraded tile detail to match the shower. The shower is small, with only a narrow ledge, and no seat. The brushed nickel shower enclosure is another upgrade.

The walk-in pantry is a great feature in residence 4 and the layout works well. The outdoor space is good compared to the other homes.

Overall, the Talise homes are quite similar to each other and other new homes in Irvine. The vaulted ceilings in all the living rooms are a great feature because they make the rooms feel bigger and bring in extra light. The biggest problem with these homes is that none of them offers a coat closet or general storage downstairs, nor do they have much linen storage upstairs.