For years, Monica and Robert Oviedo — then of La Habra but also former Whittier residents — watched with fascination the debate over the development of the 73-acre former Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility.
The state closed Nelles down in 2004, 113 years after it opened. But even then, the property wasn’t sold in 2011 and groundbreaking ceremonies weren’t held until April 4, 2018, after court battles over its development were settled.
When the decision was made to mostly put homes on the site, the Oviedos decided it was time to return to Whittier to be closer to their parents. They moved in September and were one of the first new residents of what is now called The Groves.
“When they said they were going to develop homes, we were very interested from the beginning,” Robert Oviedo, a teacher at Wilson High School, said. “We like the ‘new home experience’ and when we had a chance to come back to Whittier, which is much closer to my mom and her parents, it was perfect.”
Monica Oviedo is assistant superintendent of educational services for Whittier Union High School District.
The Oviedos bought early, just as the pandemic was getting worse and creating all kinds of problems for Brookfield Residential, which purchased the property on Whittier Boulevard at the end of Philadelphia Street from the state for $42.5 million.
But even with having to change the way they operate, Brookfield and its partner, Lennar Corp., a Miami-based housing developer, have had no problems in finding buyers, Caitlyn Lai-Valenti, senior director of sales and marketing, said.
In fact, the biggest problem is getting the homes built, Lai-Valenti said.
“With the sales success we’ve seen, it’s really trying to catch up with the demand and interest,” she said.
Brookfield and Lennar have sold 280 of the 561 homes planned for construction, Jack Skelley, Brookfield spokesman, said in an email. Nearly 170 families have moved in and construction continues in phases by Brookfield and Lennar, he added.
It hasn’t been easy for the two companies selling homes with restrictions imposed as a result of Covidd-19.
The grand opening was planned for April 20, 2020 but was never held thanks to coronavirus rules banning nearly all public gatherings.
“We had to take a different approach in terms of how we would normally open for sale,” Lai-Valenti said.
That meant limiting appointments and spreading them throughout the day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but that allowed for a more personalized approach with more time spent with families, she said.
And it’s apparently working, Lai-Valenti said.
She attributed it to a lack of homes for sale in Los Angeles County, low interest rates and the amenities offered, such as a fitness area, a chapel, a quiet pool area and four parks.
The homes, from townhomes to single-family dwelling, range from 822 to 2,400 square feet.
Fred Salas, a 35-year real estate agent who represented the Oviedos, said the homes are selling well.
“The inventory can’t keep up with the demand,” Salas, who is an agent with Berkshire Hathaway in Whittier, said.
“It’s a beautiful location and brand new houses,” Salas said. “There hasn’t been a neighborhood built like this in years. It’s got a great buzz.”
Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said he, too, is impressed with the sales.
“We know the housing component is selling like hot cakes,” Vinatieri said.
“All of those homes were carefully planned and vetted a number of years ago through the council subcommittee and full council,” he said. “What we’re seeing now is the coming to life of what was on paper — what we helped design way back when.”
“It will have an absolute impact on west Whittier and the rising tide as anchored by the ‘groves will raise all boats in that area,” Vinatieri said.
It isn’t just the homes that Vinatieri is impressed with. There’s also the 4-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Whittier Boulevard and Sorensen Avenue that was sold to Neewporet Beach-based Frontier Real Estate Investment for commercial use.
Like the homes, Frontier was affected by the pandemic, in that it delayed construction, Dan Almquist, Frontier president, said.
Still, he expects openings as soon as late summer.
The new commercial center will include a Catfish Grill, a craft brewery, an EōS Fitness center, an In-n-Out drive-thru, a Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop, a Raising Cane’s chicken eatery and a Stater Bros. supermarket, Dan Almquist, Frontier president, said.
Inn-N-Out and Raising Cane’s are expected to open late summer, while Stater Brothers will open in the fall, Almquist said.
For the Oviedos, the center is going to be “convenient.”
“It’s going to be within walking distance,” Robert Oviedo said. “It’s a great amenity for Whittier.”
His wife marvels at the change in the property. She remembers the Nelles site while growing up in Whittier.
“This place was considered a scary place and as a kid you had to be careful,” she said. “Then, for years, it was nothing. Now, we see it made into a beautiful development.”
"selling" - Google News
April 24, 2021 at 08:01AM
https://ift.tt/2RREMJe
How Whittier’s newest and largest residential development is selling - The Whittier Daily News
"selling" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QuLHow
https://ift.tt/2VYfp89
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "How Whittier’s newest and largest residential development is selling - The Whittier Daily News"
Post a Comment