Low-Rise Walk-Up, Grand: Manhattans at Central Park West

In the luxury, master-planned Central Park West commu­ni­ty in Irvine, Calif., developer Lennar Homes and its architect, KTGY Group, needed something to attract young, professional buyers who wanted a hip, ­amenity-rich living environment.

“This project was part of a master plan that’s intended to be urban, as opposed to most master plans that are the suburban model that’s car dependent,” says Bryan Sevy, the project designer for KTGY.

So at Manhattans at Central Park West, KTGY and Lennar developed a pedestrian-oriented urban experience focused around a central open space and clubhouse. The project includes a two-acre park with a resort-style clubhouse, a state-of-the-art health and fitness center, an exercise/yoga studio, and a junior Olympic–sized saline pool and spas.

The community is close to other parks, walkways, a community center, freeways, and an airport and is within walking distance of shops, stores, and restaurants. “There are lots of employment centers nearby,” Sevy says, “[and] retail opportunities across the street.”

The 64, contemporary-style, two- to four-level luxury townhomes in the Manhattans boast five different, open floor plans from 1,825 to 2,349 square feet. “These were intended to be more exclusive floor plans, because they’re a little larger and more luxurious,” Sevy says.

Outside, the units feature wraparound, private balconies that provide expansive indoor/outdoor living space as well as views of the nearby park, swim club, and clubhouse. Inside are lots of large windows, energy- and water-efficient appliances, direct access to two- and three-car garages, and gourmet kitchens with granite counters and high-end cabinetry.

Even the houses’ empty space is alluring. “We were able to incorporate double-height volume into quite a few of the floor plans,” Sevy says. “That turned out to be one of the more dramatic features.”