The Melrose collection in Pavilion Park (the first of the Great Park Neighborhoods), has the community’s largest – and most expensive – homes. The three models feature rooms often not seen in new construction these days. They have formal dining rooms and two downstairs living spaces, rather than just a great room. Built by Ryland Homes, each house has the option for a downstairs living suite plus a three car garage. The models didn’t offer lists outlining the upgrades, but I will list some of the standard features and try to note upgrades when I can. Once you express serious interest in purchasing, the information about upgrades is available.

In the living areas, the homes feature gas burning 42” fireplaces; plush carpeting in hallways, living areas and bedrooms; decorative 17” x 17” ceramic tile in entryway, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry; flat panel pre-wire in great room, bonus room and bedrooms; Kohler acrylic tubs with tiled shower and tub surrounds in secondary bathrooms; E-stone countertops, Kohler undermount china sinks and MOEN brushed nickel fixtures in secondary bathrooms; upgraded 5” baseboards and 9’ ceilings on both the first and second floors. The master suites come standard with walk in closets complete with organizers; Kohler rectangular soaking tubs with oversize tiled tub decks; oversized showers with handset ceramic tiled shower walls and frameless enclosures; white Thermofoil cabinetry and the same counters, sinks and fixtures as the secondary bathrooms.

The kitchens also have full overlay, raised panel custom cabinetry in white Thermofoil; granite countertops, Kohler under-mount stainless steel sinks; MOEN pull-out faucets; under-cabinet lighting; and stainless steel built-in GE Monogram Professional Series appliances including an Energy Star built-in dishwasher, overhead vent hood. Numerous other features designed to save energy and water come standard with the homes.

Each house also has a variety of options within the floor plan. I will do my best to outline each option as I describe the rooms. The Melrose models are directly across the street from the park’s tot lot and swimming pools. They are located in the center of the neighborhood, thus eliminating most noise from any of the major streets bordering Pavilion Park.

One thing to note: the models show gorgeous, huge backyards and are situated on lots that are approximately 9,000 square feet. Only a few lots this size are actually available and at a high premium. Most lots are actually around 6,000 square feet. So don’t get too excited when you walk into the yard of model 3 and feel like you’re in a resort – sadly, your yard will probably end before their pool even begins.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $193 per month

Approximate Tax rate: information not provided; other neighborhood homes are at1.1%

Approximate Mello Roos: information not provided; Hawthorn (the biggest models I have seen so far and range 500-800 square feet smaller) are between from $5,902 – $8,352 (based on the square footage of the home), so Melrose is likely higher

Base Price from $1,486,605 (Plan 1), $1,529,808 (Plan 2) $1,588,205 (Plan 3)

Schools: Canyon View Elementary, Jeffrey Trail Middle, Northwood High (all subject to change; Great Park has a K-8 school scheduled to open in 2016, as well as plans for a high school)

Residence One

3,910 Sq Ft

5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms, 3 car garage, downstairs bedroom, loft

Base Price from $1,486,605 ($380/sq ft)

Residence One, known as Carmel, is shown in a reversed plan of the Craftsman elevation; Santa Barbara and Farmhouse elevations are also options. I like the look of this house a lot, especially in the modeled elevation. The front has a long, narrow porch that fits with the neighborhood’s efforts to create outdoor living and a social environment. The garage door is only for a 2-car garage, as one side has tandem spaces. Inside, the entry has a long hallway in front of it with the dining room visible at the end and a short hallway to the left that leads to a powder room, den and bedroom. Upgraded wood flooring replaces the standard tile.

The den faces the front of the house and has an option for doors leading to the front porch. It is a cozy room shown with numerous built-ins and designer touches. This room can serve well as an office or sitting room. The downstairs powder room is also upgraded, with fancy wainscoting, and a decorative, single-sink vanity.

The bedroom is just past the powder room. It is a good-sized room (over 12’ by 13’) with a two-door sliding closet and a private bath. The room has doors that lead to another porch area in the middle of the home that isn’t visible from the street. Recessed lighting and crown molding add a touch of elegance. The en-suite bathroom has as single sink and shows just a shower, though a shower/tub combo is standard.

Those looking for a more private space can opt for a complete living suite instead of the standard den and bedroom. In this layout, the den becomes the bedroom and is a little bit smaller. It includes a sliding closet that takes up one entire wall. The bedroom is converted to an entry area plus living room and kitchenette. The entry offers private access from outside and leads to the bathroom, which is a bit smaller than in the standard model. The living area is a little bigger than the bedroom and can still access the interior porch and the main hallway of the home. Its kitchenette space has a sink and fridge. In this scenario, the main home’s powder room remains exactly the same.

The main hall takes you past a coat closet with a large storage space under the stairs. The stairway itself is attractive, showing wood trim edges and banisters that complement the floors.

The large dining room sits just beyond the stairs. It has a big, open feel to it, as there are sliding doors leading out to the interior porch. It offers ample space for a table and china hutch with enough wall space to offer various furniture arrangements. The model actually shows two built-in hutches.

The kitchen sits just on the other side of the dining room, though the rooms don’t open up to each other. The first thing you see is the breakfast area and, behind it, a full wall of sliding doors leading to the backyard. The island has seating for four and includes the sink, dishwasher and an optional second dishwasher. A variation to the floor plan shows the dishwasher in the center of the island and the sinks on one side. The refrigerator, microwave and convection ovens are on the wall that borders the dining room. They have a counter with several cabinets between them. Behind the island is the cooktop, shown in the model with a major upgrade that includes a professional-style oven. Cabinets and counter space sit on both sides of the stove. There is a doorway on each side of this counter as well. The one toward the front leads to a pantry with numerous cabinets and an L-shaped counter. The model shows a wine fridge but I don’t know if this is standard. Beyond the pantry, there is a drop zone with a built-in bench and access to the garage. The doorway at the back of the kitchen leads to a tech center. However, the model shows the optional prep kitchen in this space instead. It has a 6-burner stove, refrigerator and sink.

The great room also has designer touches to create elegance and brightness. The back wall is lined with windows and the wall toward the front of the room also has windows that look at the interior porch. The side wall has the fireplace with a flat screen TV mount above it and windows on either side. With so many windows, the room should be bright at almost anytime of day.

The interior porch is a nice extra space, especially since the backyard will actually be much smaller than modeled. It has a long, covered area that runs the length of the dining room and hallway. Beyond it, a large, step-down area has room for seating in front of a grand fireplace. A grassy sideyard leads around the house to the backyard. The yard in the model shows a huge, outdoor kitchen space plus an additional seating area. This yard isn’t as big as those in the other models and may be closer to a true representation, though it is definitely still bigger than an actual lot. An optional California Room is available off the kitchen.

The second floor includes a bonus room, three secondary rooms and the master suite. The bonus is a loft area at the top of the stairs. Windows on two sides, plus more by the stairway bring in a lot of light. The model has a beautiful view of the park. At slightly over 15’ by 15’, this room provides a great living space and would be a great place for kids to hang out.

Two of the bedrooms are also at the front of the house. Each one has a walk-in closet and a private bathroom. In one room (bedroom 3), the bathroom is toward the hall and the room faces the front of the house. This room is a little bigger and, in the Santa Barbara elevation, it has a tiny balcony. The other (bedroom 4) faces the side and interior porch area, with the en-suite bathroom actually being at the front of the house. Both bathrooms have a single sink and a shower/tub combo; one of them shows upgrades in the model.

On the other side of the stairway, a hallway leads to another bedroom, the laundry area, and the master suite. Optional upper cabinets are available in the hall, which also has an included linen closet. The laundry room has side by side machines, a sink, and is lined with cabinets and storage cubbies. It even has a designated space for an ironing board.

The bedroom (bedroom 2) is even a bit bigger than bedroom 3. It has a larger walk-in closet and its private bath is just like the others. It doesn’t get as much light, as the windows face the house next door and a smaller window looks to the front, but is set back so far from the street that the house blocks a lot of the light.

The master suite spans the back of the house. An entryway creates a little separation from the main hall. The room is very large and having windows on three walls makes it feel even bigger. There is plenty of room for a seating area in addition to the standard bedroom furniture.

A doorway leads to the extra large master bath. It has two vanities – one on each side of the room. The one toward the back includes a seating area in addition to the sink, whereas the one at the front offers more drawers. The bathtub sits between the two sinks and the master shows the optional free standing tub. The shower is across from the tub and has a built-in seat that seems a little small to me given the size of the shower and the bathroom overall. Linen storage sits just outside the shower and access to the large walk-in closet is just beyond it. Optional access to the laundry room can replace the linen cupboard.

I like how many windows there are in this home, as I felt almost every room was really bright. The bedrooms are all a good size and the extra living areas create a lot of flexibility. It has ample closet space as well. The decorator’s touches were a bit too formal for me, but did make everything feel clean and bright.

This week, I will introduce you to Beachwood, another new home collection in Pavilion Park, the first of the Great Park Neighborhoods. Like the Roundtree homes I wrote about a few weeks ago, Beachwood was built by Lennar. It is the fourth smallest of the collections and features three unique models. Beachwood is one of only two collections to feature a single story home (Hawthorn, which I also recently wrote about, is the other). It also has one model with a private residence on the first floor. All homes have a two-car garage.

Lennar markets the home as “Everything Included” and signs throughout the houses claim “YES!” to let you know which features are standard. Smaller signs indicate upgrades. Some of the standard amenities include ceramic tile flooring at entry, kitchen, baths and laundry; Mohawk wall-to-wall carpeting in all living areas and bedrooms; polished chrome hardware, white thermafoil cabinetry, and engineered stone countertops in all bathrooms; acrylic tubs in master baths and fiberglass tubs in secondary baths; and prewiring for ceiling fans in all bedrooms. In the kitchens, standard features are white thermafoil cabinetry; granite counters with a 6” backsplash and full backsplash at cooktop; stainless steel GE appliances including built-in, self-cleaning wall oven, gas cooktop with five burners, Advantium microwave/hood and Energy Star dishwasher; and a stainless steel two-compartment undermount sink. These standard features are identical to those in Roundtree.

Again, Lennar is proud of their commitment to green technology. Some of the standard features include CertainTeed AirRenew drywall that actively cleans the air; central air; high performance low-E glass; cool roof tiles on concrete roofs; tankless water heater; programmable thermostat; water conserving toilets, faucets and shower heads; low VOC interior paint; and pre-wiring for ceiling fans and electric/hybrid vehicle charging systems. There are many other green features and these are also the same in both Roundtree and Beachwood.

Unlike many builders, Lennar doesn’t offer alternate configurations to the floorplans or different ways to set up a room. You don’t have the choice of a den vs a bedroom, an enlarged laundry room, or anything else along those lines. What you see is what you get. While it’s nice to keep things simple, it does eliminate the flexibility found in many other home collections.

Although the models for Beachwood are located midway down Compass (the main street of models), the actual tract is farther back in the neighborhood (towards Portola), behind the Birch Trail collection. There are 90 lots in the Beachwood collection, including the models, and they are projected to be released in 10 phases. Phases 1 and 2 have been released and will be ready for move-in at the end of November and December 2013.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $193 per month

Approximate Tax rate: 1.1%

Approximate Mello Roos: $4,443 – 5,902 per year

Base Price from $815,990 (Plan 1), $904, 990 (Plan 2) $918,390 (Plan 3)

Schools: Canyon View Elementary, Jeffrey Trail Middle, Northwood High (all subject to change; Great Park has a K-8 school scheduled to open in 2016, as well as plans for a high school)

Residence One

1,767 Sq Ft

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Base Price from $815,990 ($462/sq ft)

Residence One is a single story home with Spanish, Farmhouse and Craftsman elevations (the model is Craftsman). They market it as having a front porch, but the area is really very small and couldn’t fit more than a single chair or small bench. When you enter the home, you look right at a wall. The kitchen and great room are to the right; the bedrooms, baths and laundry to the left.

The kitchen shows mostly included, standard features without upgrades, so it gives buyers a true sense of the base model. It has a rectangular island with seating for three and without any appliances on it. The fridge, oven and microwave are on one wall, the sink and dishwasher are in the middle, and the stove is on a third wall, forming a U around the island. Cabinets line the top and bottom, but only one narrow cabinet is pantry-height. It has a window looking out to the street. The kitchen looks nice and is functional, but I would prefer more pantry space and less distance between the stove and the fridge.

The kitchen is wide open to the adjacent great room, with space for a dining table in the middle. The openness offers the option for a table of any size and is probably best suited for a more casual atmosphere. Two tall windows face the side yard and have space between them for a china hutch. The living area is a good size, with windows facing the side and sliding doors to the backyard. It doesn’t have a fireplace. The setup allows for furniture to be arranged in a variety of ways.

The backyard is extremely small. There is a narrow, covered porch area built into the house (similar to what other collections call a California Room). It’s wide enough for a couch or comfy chairs, but not for a table. The rest of the yard is just a long, narrow space that is wide enough for a table and chairs but nothing else. The backyard really isn’t much bigger than a typical side yard.

On the other side of the home, there are three bedrooms, two full baths and a laundry room. A hallway off the entry leads to one bedroom and the garage. The bedroom overlooks the street and is on the smaller side, but still has room for a large bed, nightstands and a dresser. It has a standard, two-door sliding closet.

Another hallway leads to the other rooms. The laundry room is on the right and the first bathroom is across from it on the left. The laundry room has counter space but no sink with upper and lower cabinets. The bathroom has a single sink and, through a separate door, the toilet and a shower/tub combo. This is the bathroom that would serve both secondary bedrooms as well as any guests in the house, as there is not a separate powder room. Fortunately, the showers are much better designed than in Lennar’s Roundtree collection, with tile going higher up on the walls. Like the kitchen, this bathroom appears to show the standard features without upgrades. Just beyond the bathroom, there is a very small coat closet and a set of upper and lower linen cupboards.

The next bedroom is just behing the laundry room. It has one window looking out to the backyard and a two-door, sliding closet. This room is a little smaller than the one at the front of the house and feels more cramped with a bigger bed. It shares walls with both the great room and the master bedroom, so it probably isn’t as quiet or as private as the bedroom at the front.

The master bedroom is at the end of the hall. It is much bigger than the other bedrooms and it gets more light. Two windows face the backyard and another, smaller window faces the back porch.

The master bath has dual sinks, a soaking tub, and a separate shower. The area between the tub and shower is tiled and raised from the rest of the floor, creating a similar feel to a walk-in shower. The shower has a seat and a small cutout in one wall for shampoo, soap, etc. As with the rest of the house, this bathroom appears to be mostly standard features.

Overall, this is a pretty basic house without any remarkable features. I think it will appeal to some buyers because single story homes are not common in Irvine. However, the tiny yard will be a turnoff for others.

Residence Two

2,479 Sq Ft

4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, “Home within a Home,” Loft

Base Price from $904,990 ($365/sq ft)

Residence Two is modeled with the Monterey Elevation and is the only elevation that has the large balcony in the front. The Spanish Elevation has a very tiny one off one bedroom and the Farmhouse doesn’t have any.

When you enter the home, the dining area is visible directly in front of you. The stairs are immediately to your left with a small coat closet next to them. A bathroom and bedroom are to the right. The full bathroom has a single sink and a shower/tub combo. It shows an upgraded vanity and upgraded tile. You do not have the option for just a shower. The bathroom is not connected to the bedroom, but is just outside of it.

The downstairs bedroom is a bit smaller than average, but it does have a nice nook to fit a dresser, desk or bookshelf. The closet is a standard, two-door slider and the room has windows facing both the front and side of the house. Depending on the elevation, you can have one, two or three front-facing windows.

The great room and kitchen are at the back of the house. Windows line the back wall of the living area and sliders in the dining area lead to the backyard. Along with windows on the side, it brings a lot of light into the great room. The great room is a pretty typical space – a big square room without any notable features. This one does not have a fireplace or show any built-ins.

The dining area is also average in size, with room for a big table and the opportunity to be as casual or formal as you wish.

The kitchen is shown with upgraded cabinetry. The island is longer than the one in Residence One and, though pictured with three chairs, could probably seat four. The sink and dishwasher are in the island. The wall behind the island has the microwave, oven, cooktop and a fair amount of counter space (though I prefer a little bit more). The fridge is just to the left with a large, walk-in pantry next to it.

As in Residence One, the backyard is really small. This one doesn’t have a covered area and is just one open space. The model shows a fire pit with seating all around and space for a big grill. There is also a very long, narrow portion of the yard that can’t really be used for much of anything.

A short hall in the back corner of the kitchen leads to the garage and to the private residence, or what Lennar calls “NextGen – The Home Within a Home.” The private suite has a bedroom, living room, kitchenette, full bath and a washer dryer. In addition to access from the kitchen, this home has a private entrance next to the garage, set far back from the street, and behind a gate, so it won’t be confused with the home’s main entrance. I actually entered from the outside entrance, as the door from the kitchen was locked.

The living room is a good size, but doesn’t get a lot of light. It has three windows on the back wall, but since the backyard’s wall is so close, it blocks the light. The kitchenette has a sink, a full size (but slightly smaller than normal) refrigerator, and microwave/convection oven.

There is a spot for a stacked washer and dryer just outside the bathroom. The bath has a single sink and a shower, no tub. The bedroom is pretty small, but does have two windows and a standard, two-door closet. This is the only closet in the private residence. The private suite is a nice feature, but I think the one in Roundtree and the options for a private suite in Hawthorn are much nicer.

Back in the main house, the upstairs offers a small loft. Unlike most lofts, this one is too small to use as a family room. It has a long, narrow area with built-in cabinets and a small, square open spot that could maybe house a bookcase or a single cozy chair. The loft has the only access to the deck, which is long and narrow. The laundry room is at the top of the stairs with side by side machines and a counter, but no sink.

There are only two bedrooms upstairs. The secondary bedroom is a pretty good size and has windows facing the front of the house. This is the room that has a tiny balcony in the Spanish elevation. Unfortunately, the closet is really small. This room also has an en suite bathroom. It has a single sink (again, with upgraded cabinetry) and a shower/tub combo.

The master bedroom is at the back of the house, with windows facing both the back and side. It is smaller than the ones in the other Beachwood homes and is very basic. The master bath is nice, with split sinks and a bathtub between them. There are two walk-in closets, each about the same size. I think the shower is too small for a master. It has a built-in seat and shows upgraded tile.

Aside from the private residence, this home doesn’t really have any interesting features. It feels smaller than I expected, based on the square footage, and I was disappointed to see that the loft really isn’t usable. I also wish there was more closet space throughout the home. Per square foot, this home is priced much lower than Residence One

Residence Three

2,691 Sq Ft

4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Downstairs Master, Bonus Room, California Room

Base Price from $918,390 ($341/sq ft)

Residence Three is modeled in the Spanish Elevation, with the others being Farmhouse and Craftsman. It is also shown reversed from the typical layout. The entryway opens to a long hallway in front, with the great room visible at the end. The stairs are in front of you to the right and a short hall leading to a bedroom, bathroom and laundry room are to the left.

The downstairs bedroom faces the street and, as in the other models, is a pretty typical size. It has a standard, two-door closet and, in the Farmhouse elevation, two windows instead of one.

The downstairs bath is adjacent to the bedroom. It has a single sink and a shower/tub combo. This one shows upgraded cabinetry but the tile is standard. The laundry room has a very long counter, but still no sink. This room shows the standard cabinetry.

As you walk back to the great room, there is a coat closet with expanded storage under the stairs, though not as large as the closets in some homes. The great room is similar to those in the other two residences. This one has windows lining the back wall and a sliding door on the side that leads to the outdoor California room. Just like Residence Two, this one doesn’t have a fireplace or built-ins.

The dining area isn’t directly in front of the main hall, as it was in Residence Two, so it feels a little more open when you walk into the room. Again, there is space for a big table and it would work well with a casual or more formal set up. More windows face the backyard here. There is space along one wall for a nice china hutch or, as seen in the model, a small desk.

The kitchen is similar in size to Residence Two, but with a slightly different set up. The island is shorter and still houses the sink and dishwasher. The cooktop is still directly across from the sink, with counter space on either side. In this layout, the microwave, oven and fridge are on a different wall, with additional counter space next to the fridge. Both upgraded cabinetry and countertops were used in this home. Beyond the kitchen, there is a small entry area with built-in cabinets that leads to the garage. On the other side of the cabinets is the large, walk-in pantry. The kitchen also has sliders to the backyard.

In this home, the master bedroom is downstairs. A hallway between the laundry room and the great room leads back to the suite. The bedroom is a little bigger than in the other homes and it has access to the California room.

The master bath has a lot more open floor space. The two sinks are side by side on one wall, with the shower and bathtub next to each other on another. The shower has a built-in seat that is actually part of the tub surround. The large window above the bathtub looks directly out to the street, which I find incredibly awkward, as it creates a total lack of privacy. A window like that may work when the master is on the second floor, but not when it’s on the lower level. The walk-in closet is about the same size as the one in Residence One.

The backyard is pretty much consumed by the California Room. It’s a very nice space for sitting and, in the model, has a fountain just outside of it to create a peaceful atmosphere. The rest of the yard is extremely narrow and, though you could easily put a grill out by the kitchen doors, you couldn’t put a table and chairs over there.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a loft-style bonus room. The extra living space up here is nice, and about the same size as the living room downstairs. Three smaller windows face the front of the house. There is a walk-in linen closet just next to the bonus room.

The bedroom at the back of the house is a lot bigger than the one downstairs, and bigger than the secondary rooms in Residences One and Two. It has windows overlooking the back and side of the house. It also has a walk-in closet.

The other bedroom is even bigger, and is almost as large as the downstairs master. In this room, three of the walls have two windows each, so it gets a lot of light throughout the day. It has a walk-in closet that is about the same size as in the other upstairs room.

These two bedrooms share a bathroom. This one has two sinks and, through a separate doorway, the toilet and a shower/tub combo. I like the setup of this bathroom.

While I don’t love the downstairs of this home, I like the upstairs much more than any part of either of the other two residences. The rooms are much bigger and the bonus room is a great living space. A family with older children and teens could make great use of the upstairs area, especially since the master is downstairs.

Overall, I am not a big fan of Beachwood. The only part I really liked was the upstairs of Residence Three. Residences One and Two lack sufficient closet space and I don’t love the layout of either one. I also really disliked how small the backyards are in every home. The prices per square foot are pretty low in Residences Two and Three (relative to other Irvine homes) if you stick with the standard features. I am sure the NextGen Home in Residence Two and the single story living in Residence One will appeal to some buyers, but those were not big selling points for me.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,11019.0.html

This week, I am going to bring you one of the Great Park Neighborhoods bigger home collections. Hawthorn is the 7th largest and the first one whose base prices start at over $1,000,000. Built by Pulte homes, this is one of only two collections (Beachwood is the other) to offer a single story model. In addition, the master bedroom is downstairs in all three residences, allowing for single-story living even in a two-story home. All homes have a two-car garage with additional storage space and a covered patio in the backyard. The homes range from 3 – 5 bedrooms, 2.5 – 4.5 baths and feature covered patios, game rooms (two models only) and options in some for private suites. Hawthorn has a total of 46 home sites, including the models. They are close to the current main entrance to Pavilion Park off of Irvine Blvd, with the closest homes directly across from the park and the rest stretching back toward the 133 toll road.

Some of the standard amenities in all homes include granite kitchen countertops with 6” backsplash and full cooktop backsplash; stainless steel undermount sinks; Kitchenaid appliances, including 36” gas cooktop, 30”oven, wall microwave and Energy Star dishwasher; under cabinet lighting ; and maple wood recessed cabinetry in a dark sasparilla finish. In the bathrooms, there are marble countertops with square undermount sinks and tile shower surround in the owner’s baths; and 6 x 6” tile countertops with undermount sinks and fiberglass tubs in the secondary baths. Ceramic tile (12”) comes standard in the entries, kitchen, nook, laundry room, and powder bath while other areas have plush designer carpet. In keeping with the Neighborhood’s commitment to sustainability, the homes have sustainable wall and ceiling insulation; vinyl windows with dual-paned, low-E glass; 80% energy efficient gas furnaces; 13 SEER air conditioning system; and tankless water heaters.

All Pavilion Park homes are currently slated to attend Canyon View Elementary, Jeffrey Trail Middle and Northwood High Schools, all part of IUSD. However, a new K-8 school is slated to open in the Great Park Neighborhoods in 2016 and there are also plans for a new high school in the area.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $138 – 193 per month

Approximate Tax rate: 1.1%

Approximate Mello Roos (aka Community Facilities District tax): ranges from $5,902 – $8,352 (based on the square footage of the home) and subject to a 2% increase each year

Base Prices were not listed in any of the documents I received, but per the website, the collections prices start from the low $1,000,000s.

Residence 1 Floor Plan

Residence 2 Floor Plan

Residence 3 Floor Plan

Residence One

2,488 Sq Ft

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 – 3 Bathrooms, Den

Optional: Dual Owner’s Suite, Living Suite, Guest Suite with Den or Bedroom, Walk-in Shower at Owner’s Bath, Extended Covered Patio

Residence 1 is the collection’s single story home. Hawthorn refers to the master bed and bath as the “Owner’s Suite” though I may still refer to it as the master in my review. The basic floor plan includes the master, two secondary bedrooms, and a den. However, I will discuss the options for changing the configuration of the den and secondary bedrooms. The model actually depicts the layout that they call “optional guest suite with den.” The model shows the American Traditional elevation, with the other options being Spanish and Monterey. Currently, 15 of the collection’s 46 homes are slated for Residence One.

The home has a nice front porch area with a small fountain and space for seating. Apparently the rain gutters on the home are an optional feature that isn’t included in the base model. When you walk in the home, you are immediately faced with a wall (upgraded with the decorator’s stone wall detailing). I didn’t like this aspect of the house, as it didn’t create a sense of openness when I first entered. There is upgraded flooring throughout the home. All of the common areas are to the left of the entry while the bedrooms and den are to the right.

The kitchen has a long, rectangular island with bar seating. The sink and dishwasher are also located on the island, along with cabinets and an optional (upgraded) built-in wine rack. There is also an option for a second dishwasher in the island. The sink is one large, rectangular basin without a divider. Across from the island, a long wall includes the refrigerator, stove and numerous cabinets and storage drawers. The L-shaped counter continues along the side wall with more cabinets, drawers, and the double oven/microwave. There is ample space throughout for both storage and food preparation. Several windows and upgraded pendant lighting brighten the room. There is also a walk-in pantry with plenty of shelving. Upgrades shown in the model include Diamond Premier Cabinetry in white, furniture island with wine rack, cabinet hardware, open shelving upper cabinets, a Kitchenaid SS refrigerator, quartz countertops and an upgraded backsplash.

Adjacent to the kitchen is what Pulte refers to as the “café,” better known as a dining area or breakfast nook. It is a big space with plenty of room for a large dining table. One wall has an optional wet bar with upper and lower cabinetry, a tiny sink and a wine rack. The wine rack and the glass-front upper cabinets are upgrades. The opposite wall shows an upgraded, built-in window seat that I absolutely loved. It sits beneath three windows that look to the side of the house and it has built-in cabinets underneath. These cabinets could be a great place to store kitchen linens and rarely used items.

Just beyond the café is what Pulte calls the “gathering room,” aka a great room or family room. It is a very big room, and the included 10’ ceilings make it seem even more open. This room normally comes carpeted, but like the other rooms, has the upgraded wood floors. It also shows the upgraded built-in media center and can light package. The media center is white, to match the kitchen, and has numerous cabinets and shelves surrounding the large TV niche. A fireplace sits between the media center and the wet bar, bringing the family and dining rooms together. While the gathering room comes standard with a big window and sliding door to the backyard, the model shows the upgraded full-wall folding door. This allows the outdoor, covered patio to truly feel like an extension of the indoor living space.

Just off the kitchen, a small area called the “Everyday Entry” leads out to the garage. It comes standard with a bench that has built-in cubbies and coat hooks above. It makes a great space for stashing coats, backpacks and shoes without cluttering up the rest of the house.

The opposite side of the house has all of the bedrooms and a den. When you come from the home’s main entry, the den is in front of you, the owner’s suite is to the back and the secondary bedrooms are toward the front of the home. The laundry room and a small powder room are here as well. The laundry room is quite long and includes a sink. The counter and cabinets are upgrades.

The master bedroom is a good-sized room at the back of the house with access to the backyard. A big, sliding door plus windows on another wall provide natural light. The room doesn’t offer many options in how to set it up, but does have ample room for furnishings.

The master bath has split sinks in an L-shape, separated by a tub in the corner. The sink closer to the bedroom also has a vanity seating area. Since that is the main walkway into the bathroom, I actually think it would have been better to put the vanity with the other sink so the stool wouldn’t block the entry. The counters and cabinets are upgraded to match those in the kitchen, but the top mount sinks are standard. The sink areas also include optional “apothecary” cabinets, which are tall, skinny cabinets that sit atop the counter. The standard shower includes a seat as modeled, though this one does have an upgraded low threshold. As an alternative, you could select a walk-in shower that has a small entry way into the shower itself. Doing this would shrink the size of the master closet. The closet is at the back of the bathroom and is quite big without feeling unnecessarily huge.

The den is a nice-sized room that makes a great office or sitting room. The model shows upgraded French doors at the entry and out to the side yard, upgraded can lights, and an upgraded, built-in wall of cabinets and shelves. The base plan includes a walk-in closet/storage area in the den, but isn’t shown in the model. The traditional powder room is next to the den, but is shown expanded in the model in lieu of the den closet.

Both secondary bedrooms are a good size and come standard with standard, sliding closet doors. One (called bedroom 2) has a single window facing the side of the house and the other (bedroom 3) has a small window to the side and large window looking out to the front. Each has ample space for furniture. In the standard model, the two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom. It would have two sinks and, through a separate door, a toilet and shower/tub combo (optional shower only). As I mentioned earlier, the model actually depicts the alternate layout known as “Optional Guest Suite with Den.” In this model, the front bedroom has a private bath with a single sink and a shower with a built-in seat. The other bedroom (bedroom 2) uses a detached, extended bathroom (in lieu of the powder room) that also has a single sink and a shower/tub combo or optional shower only. This bathroom is the only bathroom accessible from the house without being attached to a bedroom, so it is the one that any visitors to the home would use. The bathrooms shown in the model include upgraded counters, shower surround, and framed mirrors.

There are three other optional layouts affecting the setup of the den, secondary bedrooms, and bathrooms. All but one still include a standard coat closet and linen closet, plus an additional, optional linen storage. In addition, they all have the full bathroom shown in the model in lieu of the powder room and den storage that come standard in the house. The first option is called “Dual Owner’s Suite.” It eliminates the den and puts bedroom 2 there instead. In place of both standard secondary bedrooms, there is a complete master suite. This has a larger bedroom, a bath with two sinks, a large, combined tub and shower with seat, and a big walk-in closet. The second option is called “Living Suite.” Again, it puts bedroom 2 where the den was and has the adjacent full bath. The rest of these rooms are created as a separate suite, with private access from the front porch and from inside the house. It includes a living room where the standard bedroom 2 is, a bedroom at the front, and a bathroom between the two rooms with a single sink and shower with built-in seat. The living area in this version can include a wet bar with cabinets, a sink and a small fridge. The final option is called “Guest Suite with Bedroom 3,” and is the only option that creates an additional bedroom. In this version, the den becomes a bedroom with a sliding closet and is labeled Bedroom 3. Bedroom 2 stays as modeled and shares a hallway bath that, again, looks as modeled. The front bedroom is now known as “guest suite” and is the same as modeled, with a private bath.

Buyers will like the flexibility of these rooms, as it allows them to create extra bedrooms or living space as needed. The private living suite and dual master suite options will appeal to multi-generational families.

The backyard of the home is long and narrow. As I mentioned, the covered patio portion sits just outside the gathering room. An extended cover is available as an option, but if included would eliminate all open space. The third segment of the yard is raised with a built-in stone bench surrounding a fire pit. A raised garden box spans the entire back wall. Around the side, a narrow yard is accessible from the den and is shown with a very small patio and garden shelves. This is a yard for sitting or dining, but doesn’t really have any space for children to play.

Overall, I think this house provides a lot of flexibility and is a great option for someone who wants a single-story home, especially since most houses in Pavilion Park (and really, all of Irvine) are two levels. None of the bedrooms felt too small and the main living area is quite spacious. My biggest complaint is with the bathrooms. I wish that there was a powder room closer to the living area so that visitors to the home didn’t have to go over to the bedroom side. Similarly, I wish that all of the optional setups still included a powder room, in addition to a third full bath, so visitors could still have a space to use that wasn’t primarily for the bedrooms. The only other downfall to the house is the size of the backyard. While a few of Hawthorn’s lots are bigger (and I’m sure priced much higher), the majority of them appear comparable in size to the models. I’ve already heard several people who say that the single-story home is very appealing and imagine that they will sell well.

Residence Two

3,105 Sq Ft

4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, Suite, Game Room

Optional: High Heat Kitchen, Super Laundry, Exercise Room, Wet Bar, His/Hers Walk-in Closets

This home is much larger than Residence 1, with over 600 more square feet. As in the first house, there are numerous options available, many of which eliminate the storage space in the garage. Others affect the kitchen pantry and hall storage closet. There are no variations available on the second floor. The home is modeled in the Monterey Elevation, with a combination of brick and stucco on the outside. As with Residence 1, there is a nice front porch for sitting, but it is less visible from the street, so it doesn’t offer as much social opportunity as the neighborhood tries to promote.

This house has a more open foyer, with rooms coming off all four sides. To the right, there is a short hallway with linen cupboards at the back and a powder room off to the side. The pedestal sink is included, though you can upgrade to base cabinets with an undermount sink.

To the left of the foyer are the laundry room and the Everyday Entry with access to the garage. The everyday entry has optional cabinets and the standard laundry room has a sink and optional uppers on two walls. However, the house is modeled with the “Super Laundry 2 in lieu of Laundry/Garage Storage.” Basically, the original laundry room is converted to a big closet and the entire garage storage area is now an enormous laundry room. It includes a sink, a big counter, optional uppers and an optional refrigerator, plus several lower cabinets and plenty of floor space. Personally, I would rather have the flexibility of garage storage, but the super laundry is nice if all you really want is more closet space.

Off the foyer going toward the front of the house is a private living suite, which has an option for a separate entry off the front porch. The suite includes a sitting room with and optional kitchenette and a bedroom with an en suite bathroom. The sitting room is a nice size, but if you do include the kitchenette, there isn’t a great way to set it up if you want a TV. There is room for a couch and a comfy chair though. The wet bar can have a very small sink, microwave, small refrigerator, and/or upper cabinets. A door between the foyer and sitting room is optional, giving you the choice of having a complete private living quarters or creating an open den plus a downstairs bedroom.

The bedroom is pretty big with two windows overlooking the street. The two-door sliding closet is a little smaller than average. The en suite bathroom has a single sink with a good amount of counter space and comes standard with a shower/tub combo, though the model shows the optional shower with seat. Most of what you see in this bathroom is upgraded.

Finally, if you walk through the foyer toward the back of the house, you find the main living areas of the home. The hallway has a coat closet with a big storage space under the stairs and comes standard with a second storage closet with optional shelves that isn’t shown in the model. There are three different options for the space that I will describe below with the kitchen. The stairs are located at the end of the hall, which then opens up to the gathering room, kitchen and café (dining area).

The gathering room doesn’t feel quite as big as the one in Residence 1, but I like the layout more. A nook in one corner offers an optional built-in media center, which sits next to the fireplace. The model shows an upgraded finish around the fireplace and upgraded can package. Again, 10’ ceilings really help open up the room. As in Residence 1, most rooms downstairs have upgraded flooring, though the standard family room would include carpet. Sliding doors (shown in an upgraded version) lead to the covered patio.

The kitchen has an island similar to Residence 1 with bar seating, a single basin sink, and the dishwasher, with an option for a second dishwasher. All of the cabinets and counters are upgraded, as are the backsplash and appliances. In this model, the island has a different countertop than the rest of the kitchen. The appliances, counter and cabinets all line up along one wall, with the refrigerator, double ovens, microwave and stove all grouped together at one end. There isn’t any counter space that can be reached from the refrigerator, so you would have to walk back and forth to the island if you were taking out multiple items at once or loading up the fridge after a trip to the market. The second oven in this kitchen is an upgraded feature. Another wall of the kitchen has a small counter with upper and lower cabinets.

The standard kitchen has a big walk-in pantry next to the refrigerator and, as previously mentioned, a storage closet accessible from the hall. However, three different options change the setup of this space. The model shows the “High Heat Kitchen” option, which uses the pantry space and some of the storage space to create a kitchen designed for cooking stir fry or other foods at high heat that may create a lot of grease splatter. It includes a single stove burner, a sink, and plenty of cabinetry and counter space. There is a pantry accessible through the high heat kitchen, though it is smaller than the standard one. Another option for this space is a “Prep Kitchen,” which has the same footprint as the high heat kitchen. The main difference is an oven/range and dishwasher instead of only a single stove burner. The final option (“Wet Bar” keeps the walk-in pantry as originally designed, but eliminates the storage closet. Instead, that area becomes a wet bar with a sink, counter overlooking the great room and an optional wine fridge.

At the back of the kitchen is the “café” or breakfast nook. Because it is set back, it feels more like a nook than the big, open space did in Residence 1. The model includes the optional cabinetry that extends the kitchen counters all the way to the back of the house. It also includes the optional French doors leading to the backyard and both optional French and doggy doors leading to the covered patio.

The standard covered patio is in the center of the backyard, but could extend all the way across the entire yard. Again, the yard is long and narrow without much room to play. The model shows brick hardscaped with a built-in bbq and bar seating at one end. There is plenty of space for a table in addition to the furnishings in the covered patio. On the opposite side, the model just shows open space with a combination of brick and grass.

The master bedroom is also downstairs. A doorway off the family room leads to a small foyer and into the master (aka owner’s) suite. Its proximity to the family room eliminates the feeling of privacy that many master bedrooms have. It is a square-shaped room with small windows looking to the side and sliding doors to the backyard.

The master bath has dual sinks split by the bathtub, which is shown with the freestanding tub option in the model, rather than the standard built-in tub. I thought the vanities were a little too small and that a master should offer more counter space. A separate vanity area (no sink) is across from the first sink. The shower is across from the tub and has a built-in seat. One option for the bathroom eliminates the extra vanity and instead includes a walk-in shower. The walk-in closet is at the back of the bathroom and has a partial divider right in the center that utilizes some of the open space. The bathroom has upgraded quartz countertops, shower surround, apothecaries, framed mirrors and can lights.

In addition to the super laundry room that eliminates the garage storage, two different layouts in the master bath can also replace that space. The first replaces it with his/hers walk-in closets. The original closet (“his”) is shrunk to make room for the water closet and doorway to the new (“hers”) closet, which is quite large as it takes the entire garage storage space. The second alternative also cuts into the walk-in closet to make room for the water closet and puts an exercise room in lieu of the garage storage. In addition to the access from the master bath, you can put a door to the exercise room in the foyer between the gathering room and master bedroom.

Upstairs, there are a game room and two bedrooms. No alternative layouts exist, though the American Traditional elevation of the home eliminates the outdoor deck. The second floor may be particularly appealing to teenagers, as they have a private space to hang out that is separate from the space used by their parents. The game room is a big, open space at the top of the stairs that includes the plush carpet that comes standard in the home. It has a closet and an option for a built-in desk (shown in the model). It also includes the upgraded can lights and pre-wiring for a ceiling fan. Three small windows sit high on one wall and a sliding door to the deck is on another. The built-in media niche is an upgraded “decorator item.”

The first bedroom is just across from the stairway and has a linen cupboard and bathroom outside of it. The bathroom includes a single sink and shower/tub combo with an option for just a shower. The bedroom is a good size, with a two-door, standard closet and optional door to the deck (not shown). The second bedroom is bigger and includes a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. This bath is basically the same as the other one upstairs. The bedroom does include the optional door to the deck. In the Spanish elevation, there is a small balcony overlooking the street off of this bedroom.

I really like the upstairs area in this house. I think it’s a good set up and a great way for kids to have some privacy without being closed in their room all day. The downstairs suite is also a nice touch, whether you choose to make it a private suite or a general sitting area and bedroom. I don’t love the setup of the kitchen or the location of the master bedroom, though I do see the appeal of a downstairs master. I wish the yard was bigger and I don’t love the look from the outside of any of the elevations.

Residence Three

3,486 Sq Ft

5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, Den, Suite, Game Room

Optional: Living Suite 1 or 2, Bedroom 6, Super Laundry 1 or 2, Expanded Game Room, Expanded Covered Patio

This house is 1000 square feet bigger than Residence 1 and nearly 400 bigger than Residence 2. The model depicts the Spanish elevation and currently includes the rental office in place of the garage. I like the look of this house much more on the outside than either of the other two residences. It has a big front porch that is visible from the street but still covered. There are a lot of different options in this home, but I will do my best to explain each layout.

The foyer is open in this plan as well, with rooms coming off three sides. The standard home, as modeled, has a den just to the left that is open to the foyer, though doors are available if desired. It is basically a traditional living room and makes a great sitting area. There is an option to make it a bedroom instead, which would have a standard closet and a full bathroom accessible from the hall that would replace the standard powder room.

To the right of the foyer are two more rooms off of a short hallway with a full bathroom between them. The basic arrangement is for two bedrooms, each with a standard closet and a shared, full bathroom accessible only from the hallway (single sink, shower/tub combo, option for just a shower). The model depicts this set up, with Bedroom 3 being at the front of the house and Bedroom 2 farther back. Though it is designed as a bedroom, they put den furniture in Bedroom 2 to help show the flexibility of the space. Two of the alternate plans use Bedroom 2 as an actual den, eliminating the closet and adding a door to the main hallway. In these setups, there is not access from the shorter hallway currently between the two rooms. The only difference in the two den options is what type of door you have; French doors or a barn door are available.

Two other options for this area create combine the two rooms to create a complete living suite. In each one, there is a living room/den and a bedroom with a walk-in closet. The bathroom is still accessible only from the suite’s hall area, with the hall having an optional door separating it from the foyer. The bathroom is laid out differently but still has only one sink. It cannot have a bathtub and instead has a shower with seat. In Living Suite 1, the living room space is at the front of the house (Bedroom 3) and can have an optional kitchenette with cabinets, a sink, and a wine fridge. The room farther back (Bedroom 2) is a standard bedroom with a walk-in closet. In this set up, there is an option for a door leading from the front porch directly into the private living room. If you go with Living Suite 2, the rooms are reversed, with Bedroom 3 becoming the only bedroom at the front and the back room (formerly Bedroom 2) set up as a living room without a closet or kitchenette. In this option, you cannot have access to the front porch but have optional access to the main hallway and/or the side yard. Again, the versatility of this space will be a big selling point to buyers who need something different than a traditional house set up.

From the main foyer, a hallway leads back to the rest of the house. Along the way, you pass a powder room, linen closet, and coat closet (with under the stairs storage) on the left. It opens to a formal dining room with soaring ceilings and options for French doors to the side yard, built-in shelves, and/or a dual fireplace that is open to both the dining and family rooms. The model shows a built-in wine rack and counter along one wall that is not listed as an upgrade, so I’m not sure if that is a standard feature or just an accidental omission from the upgrade list. The room comes standard with carpet, though most people I know prefer some sort of wood or tile in their dining rooms. Overall, it is a very pretty room and a great space for those who prefer a house with a formal dining room.

Beyond the dining room, a doorway leads to the gathering room and kitchen; there is also a hallway to one side with another door leading directly to the kitchen. The gathering room is a big, square room with windows on one side and doors to the covered patio on another (various door options available). A third wall has the fireplace, which comes standard in the family room with the option for the dining room side. Two openings flank the fireplace to see through into the dining room; the model shows them with upgraded shelves inside.

The kitchen is right next to the family room and has a very wide island with one rounded side with bar seating that divides the space. One wall has the refrigerator with a small counter and cabinets next to it. The other wall has everything else, with the oven and microwave on the end and the range in the middle. There are only a few upper cabinets and many of the lower cabinets are optional, so you’d pretty much have to include the extra cabinets to have enough storage and counter space. The island has the sink and shows both dishwashers (one is an upgrade). There is a walk-in pantry built into the corner shown with upgraded shelving. This kitchen shows upgraded granite and a gourmet appliance package, but seems to have the standard cabinetry and backsplash. There is a breakfast nook at the back of the kitchen with optional French doors to the backyard.

Again, the backyard is small, long and narrow. The covered patio is directly behind the gathering room and is shown with a fireplace and wall-mounted TV. A space to the right of it has room for a grill and small table. The center area has a fountain and is the widest space, but still quite narrow. The far end has room for another sitting area but, again, doesn’t have room to play.

The everyday entry and laundry room are off the hallway across from the kitchen. In the basic model, the everyday entry is small with optional cabinets. The laundry room is long and narrow with an optional sink. Two alternative plans for this area eliminate the garage storage space. The first one enlarges both the everyday entry and the laundry, with a lot more cabinet storage options in both spaces. The second one turns the entire area into a gigantic laundry room without a separate everyday entry. As in residence 2, this laundry room could have a refrigerator and it would also add a small storage closet with optional shelves. The model is using the space as their office, so none of these options are actually shown.

As in Residence 2, the master bedroom is downstairs, farther down the hall from the laundry room and kitchen. The bedroom is pretty much identical to the one in the other home, with two small windows on one wall and doors leading out to the yard. The room is a good size with plenty of space to furnish it.

The master bath is set up with one of the alternate designs rather than the standard model, showing a walk-in shower rather than the basic shower with seat. If you choose this option, you lose a vanity area. Either way, the opposite wall still has two sinks separated by a tub. The model shows the standard, built-in tub but a freestanding tub option is available. The walk in closet is one big, open square.

Another way that this home is similar to Residence 2 is the upstairs. Residence 3 also has a game room with two bedrooms and a deck in some elevations. The game room is at the top of the stairs and is pretty big, though there is an option to create an expanded game room. If you opt for this, the extra space would be over the dining room, so that room would no longer have the soaring ceilings. The game room has a storage closet in one corner that could be a wet bar instead. The bar in the model has a small sink and wine cooler, plus several cabinets.

Both upstairs bedrooms are at the front of the house, accessible from the game room. One (bedroom 4) has a hallway bath with a single sink and shower/tub combo with an option for just a shower. This room is really big, with a lot of floor space, a niche for a desk or dresser, and a two-door closet. There is an optional door to the large deck overlooking the street and one other window on the same wall. The other bedroom (bedroom 5/suite) is even bigger. It has a door to the main deck and, in the Spanish elevation, a separate small balcony also facing the street. The en-suite bathroom is set up exactly like the other one.

This is a really big house. If you’re looking for a lot of space, a lot of flexibility, and the availability of a downstairs master’s suite, it’s definitely worth taking a look.

Overall, I really like the Hawthorn collection. The homes are spacious and well laid out. The numerous options make them suitable for almost any type of family. I like the location of the tract, as it is close to the common area. I’m disappointed by the lot sizes, but that seems to be the trend in most new homes.

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