The Irvine Company has unveiled plans to transform its Oak Creek Golf Course into a new residential village featuring 3,100 homes. The project, located near the Irvine Spectrum, aims to address the growing housing needs in Orange County. The development will include 1,500 single-family homes and 1,600 apartment units on adjacent land previously zoned for offices.
The 235-acre project will also feature a new school, parks, and traffic improvements, with the Irvine Company covering many public benefits. In exchange, the city of Irvine will receive up to $96 million in fees and 2,000 discounted rent vouchers, valued at $72 million, to support affordable housing efforts. The first public discussion of the plan is scheduled for May 13, when a memorandum of understanding between the developer and the city will be debated.
The proposal comes as Irvine faces increased pressure to add housing, especially rentals, due to its rapid population growth. According to the Orange County Register, Irvine’s population grew by 34% over the past decade, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. However, this growth has also made it one of the least affordable cities.
To offset the loss of green space, the Irvine Company plans to donate nearby avocado groves to expand a nature preserve and repurpose the golf course clubhouse into a community center for the new neighborhood. The project is part of a national trend of converting underused golf courses into residential developments, as reported by Propmodo.
If approved, this would be Irvine’s first new village since the Eastwood development began in 2016. The planning process is expected to take up to 18 months, with construction potentially beginning soon after. The new village will be conveniently located within biking or walking distance to employment and support services in the Irvine Spectrum area, according to Jeff Davis, Irvine Co. senior vice president.
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