SANTA ANA, Calif., July 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Santiago Street Lofts, located across from the Santa Ana Train Depot on Santa Ana Boulevard and Santiago Street, broke ground today, becoming Orange County's first "transit-oriented" live/work loft community.
This new trend in urban revitalization refers to more compact, mixed-use development near transit hubs. In May, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill designed to spur new stores and homes around city bus and light-rail stations in California, a state which has built more rail systems, miles of track and transit stations than any other state during the past 30 years.
Santiago Street Lofts will bring a 195,000-square-foot transit village to Orange County consisting of 108 live/work lofts, allowing residents to live on two upper floors and set up shop on the ground level. The interest list for the new community has already grown to 500 parties.
"In partnership with Urban+West+Strategies, we designed the Lofts with a contemporary urban flare, emphasizing openness, sleek lines and an abundance of space and light," added Lennar South Coast Division President Douglas Woodward. "This trend allows simplicity and sophistication to co-exist in an environment that reflects the personality of the resident. This is an exciting and truly unique opportunity for anyone looking to live the new urban lifestyle. We expect current Orange County residents and commuters to and from San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties to jump at the chance to live and work here."
"We are targeting a diverse group of home-based businesses, small office and home office workers from a variety of fields," said David DiRienzo, president of Urban+West+Strategies. "Santiago Street Lofts is the first community to offer a live/work lifestyle in Santa Ana, Orange County's capitol, adjacent to a major transportation hub, and other cultural and community-oriented activities. People have been 'living above the store' and residing on top of law offices and other businesses for centuries, forging communities in small neighborhoods. Today's new live/work lofts represent a new way of life in Orange County, one which Urban+West+Strategies is pleased to offer in partnership with Lennar."
Today's groundbreaking drew dozens of Santa Ana City and Orange County officials, who rode to the event in a red trolley car with representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority, Metrolink, and the local business community along the future route of the CenterLine Light Rail. The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved plans for development of the Santiago Street Lofts in April 2004, seeing it as a way to bring growth, revitalization and commerce to the heart of one of Orange County's most historic cities.
"Transit-oriented developments like the Santiago Street Lofts are critical to the future vitality of this city," said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. "They foster both residential and business growth, and will provide residents with accessibility to the city's proposed rapid transit system. The City of Santa Ana unanimously approved the Santiago Street Lofts in April for these very reasons. We believe that communities like this will help revitalize the capitol of Orange County, which his already rich in history, opportunity and dreams."
Construction on the Santiago Street Lofts is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2004. A series of informational "salon" events is currently being held to familiarize interested parties with the community. For more information, please call (800) 808-6888 or visit www.lennar.com or www.urban-west.com
About Santiago Street Lofts
Santiago Street Lofts is Orange County's first "transit-oriented development" (TOD) loft community offering 108 live/work lofts adjacent to the Santa Ana Train Depot. This 195,000-square -foot transit village offers contemporary urban living on its upper two floors and convenient work space on the ground level. Created by Lennar and Urban+West+Strategies, Santiago Street Lofts is expected to set the trend for urban revitalization and development in Southern California by offering the perfect combination of living space, work environment, transportation accessibility, cultural diversity and economic growth opportunities.