A Community Designed for Living Well.
The community offers a broad mix of housing types targeted toward a diverse range of future residents.
A hill town nestled into its natural context, Esencia embraces the arroyos and wilderness of its scenic setting.
Graceful terraced land forms, varying in width, maximize views and comprise the community framework.
Marrying open space and grading options helped balance cut and fill needs.
Planning area boundaries respond to intensive scientific and ecological studies.
A hilltop village road hugs the ridgeline and links neighborhood centers.
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}
The community offers a broad mix of housing types targeted toward a diverse range of future residents.
A hill town nestled into its natural context, Esencia embraces the arroyos and wilderness of its scenic setting.
Graceful terraced land forms, varying in width, maximize views and comprise the community framework.
Marrying open space and grading options helped balance cut and fill needs.
Planning area boundaries respond to intensive scientific and ecological studies.
A hilltop village road hugs the ridgeline and links neighborhood centers.
{"autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"8000","speed":"1000","arrows":"true","dots":"false","loop":"true","nav_slide_column":5,"rtl":"false"}

DETAILS

LocationOrange County, California, United States
ClientRancho Mission Viejo, LLC
SERVICE:
Size865 acres

Esencia, a planned community in Rancho Mission Viejo, California, emphasizes health and well-being. This premium real estate development, which is integrated into a 17,000-acre open space preserve characterized by oak canyons, creeks and orchards, envisions wellness holistically. It offers residents extraordinary views, comprehensive access to nature, and a range of outdoor amenities including parks, a community farm, and a systems of trails and pathways.

Esencia attracts residents of all ages, resulting in a multi-generational community that provides wellness options for everyone. This unique hill town in Rancho Mission Viejo is integrated into its surrounding natural landforms, and reflects the area’s agricultural and ranching legacy. Couples, families, and adventurous empty-nesters coexist within a robust neighborhood connected by a network of ranch-themed social gathering spaces.

The recipient of PCBC’s “2018 Master Plan Community of the Year” and “Best Community Land Plan” Awards, Esencia offers all residents a sustainable, multi-layered vision of sustainable suburbs that offer a sense of truly sustainable community.

Related Projects

Cross Creek Ranch

As urban areas expand, degraded lands robbed of natural resilience and biodiversity often lie in development’s path—presenting both challenges and opportunities. The Flewellen Creek Restoration project transforms a derelict 130-acre ranching ditch into a vibrant 3-mile ecosystem, anchoring the new 3,200-acre Cross Creek Ranch community.

Rooted in ...

Hunter's Point Shipyard and Candlestick Point

Perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay, the Hunters Point Shipyard was an important naval manufacturing center for the WWI and WWII war efforts. The abandoned shipyard and Candlestick Point were combined into a new, mixed-use residential, retail and light industry development—the largest in San Francisco since WWII. Thomas Balsley Associates collaborated wit...

Tata Eco City

At the crossroads of ecology and community, this master plan synergizes a unique blend of spaces that support active lifestyles and foster innovation and creativity. Tata Eco City Master Plan was been developed layer by layer, using a set of strategic design interventions to help ensure that the delicate balance between nature and the built environment is prot...

Woodson’s Reserve

This new master-planned community challenges conventional thinking by preserving wetland areas and open space while achieving an optimal mix of housing products and amenities. A robust local economy has elevated demand for both commercial space and single-family housing. The master plan for Woodson’s Reserve targets active families and those who enjoy outdoor ...

Hensley Field Master Plan

Building upon a winning competition entry, SWA is developing a master plan to transform a former Naval Air Station into a premier mixed-use district in southern Dallas. Tasked with crafting an implementable plan that achieves environmental sustainability, economic recovery, and social equity objectives, SWA is working to address the unique challenges of a form...

3Roots

A transformed mining site in Mira Mesa, 3Roots captures San Diego’s innovative spirit, drive, and natural beauty. SWA’s work began with the master plan, including 1,800 new homes, 160,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office spaces, a five-acre mobility hub, and over 250 acres of parks and open space. The landscape blends the region’s mining her...

Kunming Eco-Communities

The concept for the Kunming Eco-Town is based on an understanding of the historical natural processes of the location. The masterplan restores balance in the landscape through sensitive development. In using a watershed planning approach to determine the most sensitive lands and subsequently, where development is appropriate, the issues of a healthy, functioni...

Tata Eco City

At the crossroads of ecology and community, this master plan synergizes a unique blend of spaces that support active lifestyles and foster innovation and creativity. Tata Eco City Master Plan was been developed layer by layer, using a set of strategic design interventions to help ensure that the delicate balance between nature and the built environment is prot...