The newest master-planned community in booming South County is making its debut this summer. Designed with the idea that residents want to feel connected to their neighborhoods, Windingwalk is now under construction in Chula Vista. An information center opens this summer on Hunte Parkway, about 10 minutes east of Interstate 805.

"We named the community for the meandering pedestrian pathways that link neighborhoods to each other and to numerous amenities," said Steve Doyle, president of Brookfield Homes San Diego Inc., managing partner of the Brookfield Homes/Shea Homes partnership for the 1,200-acre property in eastern Chula Vista. "Windingwalk really connects people and the way they live. Pathways and trails lead residents around the community -- to schools, shopping, parks, pools or just to a friend's house."

According to Brookfield's John Norman, who is overseeing construction of the project, "walkability" has been the goal from the earliest planning stages of Windingwalk. Representing Brookfield and Shea, Norman has worked closely with the city of Chula Vista to develop a classic land plan with neo-traditional elements.

One of the 15 villages in the master-planned community of Otay Ranch, Windingwalk incorporates the same urban village concept, according to Richard Whipple, a planner for the city of Chula Vista. A core area of mixed uses is surrounded by residential. At Windingwalk this core will include retail elements, public parks, office spaces, elementary and junior high schools, recreation centers and other community facilities.

"Windingwalk has been praised by the mayor and city council for embracing the original vision of Otay Ranch," Whipple said. "The Brookfield/Shea partnership has been on the same page with the city in wanting to promote the pedestrian orientation. They expanded upon that by creating walkable trails, or paseos, and providing a unique design theme for the village."

Irving Gill-inspired architecture

Irving Gill, widely regarded as San Diego's most prominent and innovative architect, created the design theme that unifies Windingwalk. Community facilities like the elementary school and recreation centers will be characterized by Gill's trademark clean shapes, arcades, arches, trellises, flat roofs and smooth stucco finish.

"Irving Gill is often associated with the big rambling ranch houses in Rancho Santa Fe, but what people don't always realize is that he did a lot of public facilities and small homes," said Brookfield's Doyle. "Irving Gill lives beyond Rancho Santa Fe, and his influence will be felt at Windingwalk."

Community's design keeps people, places close

Guided by the urban village concept of Otay Ranch, Brookfield and Shea designed Windingwalk to bring neighbors, businesses, recreation and community-oriented facility together.

Windingwalk residents are sure to be drawn to the grassy, 1-acre Town Center, reminiscent of a time when people gathered regularly at a town square. Windingwalk's Town Center will be within strolling distance of many Windingwalk neighborhoods, businesses, community and recreational facilities, and the planned elementary school. The centerpiece will be a charming gazebo -- the perfect place for sipping coffee with friends.

Each of Windingwalk's two private recreational centers, open exclusively to the community's homeowners, will be a destination for outdoor activity in the community. Each will include a pool, spa, tot lot and multipurpose room. A basketball court is also planned for one of the recreation centers.

The 7-acre neighborhood park, in the heart of Windingwalk, will provide plenty of family-friendly open space, a skateboard park and ball fields. It will be maintained and operated by the city of Chula Vista for all to enjoy.

Natural habitat is also a part of the Windingwalk community. In support of the city of Chula Vista's Multi-Species Conservation Plan, Brookfield and Shea dedicated 455 of the community's 1,200 acres to natural habitat. Located at the eastern edge of the community, the area provides a picturesque border for homes along Hunte Parkway. Some of these homes also will have a view of the 150-acre Olympic Training Center.

Six new neighborhoods coming soon

Completing the community of Windingwalk are its six distinct neighborhoods, each named for things you might discover while taking a stroll along the footpaths and walkways of the community.

Magnolia, a single-family detached neighborhood of 55 homes, is expected to be under way by Shea Homes this summer. The two-story homes will have three to five bedrooms, three to four bathrooms and two- and three-car tandem garages. The four floor plans will range from 2,430 square feet to 3,058 square feet. Homes at Magnolia are expected to be priced from the mid-$400,000s.

One of Windingwalk's neighborhoods, Cedar Rose, will be made up of two-story, single-family detached homes. Prices are expected to start in the high $300,000s.

Construction on Brookfield's first neighborhood, Cedar Rose, also is expected to get under way this summer. The two-story single-family detached homes will range from approximately 2,089 square feet to 2,477 square feet, with three to four bedrooms, 2.5 to three bathrooms and two-car garages. Three floor plans will feature Craftsman, Spanish and Prairie style architecture. Brookfield will build 156 homes at Cedar Rose, with prices expected to start in the high $300,000s.

Brookfield also will build 270 single-family attached and detached homes at a neighborhood called Cottage Lane. Six floor plans will be offered, with approximately 1,360 square feet to 2,340 square feet, two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and one- and two-car garages. Prices are expected to start in the $300,000s for the attached homes.

Brookfield's third neighborhood is Twilight, the builder's most exclusive at Windingwalk. The 3,286- to 3,820-square-foot homes will be on larger homesites and priced starting in the $500,000s.

Shea's two other neighborhoods will be called Wisteria and Azalea. Wisteria will offer four floor plans with approximately 2,062 square feet to 2,441 square feet, three to four bedrooms, 2.5 to three baths and two-car garages. Pricing is expected to start in the mid-$300,000s. Shea will build 163 homes at Wisteria.

Azalea at Windingwalk will feature three floor plans with approximately 1,433 square feet to 1,788 square feet, three to four bedrooms, 2.5 baths and two-car garages. The 119 homes at Azalea are expected to be priced starting in the low $300,000s.

Architecturally, the attached and detached homes feature several styles, including Irving Gill, Craftsman, Spanish Colonial and Traditional. Many of the homes will have welcoming front porches and recessed garages. Homes with alley-accessed garages also will be available. The combined details paint a friendly street scene view.

A well-balanced community

"The collaborative efforts of Brookfield Homes, Shea Homes and the city of Chula Vista have resulted in a well-balanced mix of housing, recreation, community facilities and businesses at Windingwalk," said Shea Homes President Mark Brock. "The team has brought architecture and land planning together to connect people with each other as well as with the places they want to be, all within walking distance at Windingwalk."

Klassen is a senior account executive at Scribe Communications.

Related Link

Windingwalk: www.windingwalk.co