It’s now possible to buy a piece of the Irvine Spectrum – just minutes to work, shopping and the beach. “We’re in the middle of everything,” Susana Navarro says of the house she and her husband, Brett Walmsley, recently bought at Barcelona Irvine Spectrum. “And our backyard is rolling hills and trails.”
They initially were interested because the gated enclave is close to both of their Irvine offices. Brett is a mechanical engineer. Susana is an electrical engineer, currently employed as an account executive.
Since buying their new four-bedroom home in June, though, they’ve found more to love than just a short commute.
“Look at those views,” Susana says, pointing to the hillsides.
The homes in Barcelona have open floor plans, dramatic volume ceilings, California Great Rooms and panoramic sliding glass doors for lots of natural light and bucolic views.
Susana also likes that she is around the corner from Los Olivos Marketplace.
“I can walk to Whole Foods Market,” she says.
Best of both worlds
Barcelona offers immediate access to Irvine Spectrum Center’s 250 shops and restaurants, to the Spectrum District’s 900 high-tech companies, and even the beach.
“We’re 10 minutes from Laguna Beach,” Brett says. “So that’s awesome.”
And because Irvine Spectrum was master-planned to connect residents to offices, shopping and open space, they can walk or bike to the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which includes 40 miles of trails through some of the most pristine coastal canyons in Southern California.
Happy kids, happy family
Most of all, Susana and Brett are happy that their kids are happy with their new home. Isabella, 6, is in kindergarten, and Luca, 4, is in preschool.
“The kids enjoy the brand-new playground and all those fun things,” Susana says.
Since the neighborhood is gated, their park is private. Amenities include a spa, great lawn, barbecues and a lap pool, where the kids took swim lessons last summer.
In addition, the adjacent Los Olivos Community Park has a soccer field, baseball field with bleachers, basketball court and tennis courts, all of which are lighted for nighttime play. The whole family plays tennis, so they spend a lot of time on the courts.
New model homes at Barcelona Irvine Spectrum coming soon. View here for more information.
