The new Summit gated community in Orchard Hills is the “best of the best in Irvine,” according to Amrit Mathur. “The view is panoramic, and the neighborhood is high-end,” Mathur says. Amrit and his wife, Lani, are among the first to buy a new home in Summit, choosing a corner lot in the Vista collection by Brookfield Residential for their family, which includes two daughters, ages 3 and 9 months.

The Mathurs have lived in the nearby Groves neighborhood of Orchard Hills since 2020. His parents and his sister’s family live nearby. “I’ve had my eye on Summit since it was first announced,” he says.

Summit at Orchard Hills, developed by Irvine Company, offers an unparalleled lifestyle with resort-style amenities. The community includes two parks: Overlook Park and Sunset Park. Overlook Park, spanning nearly 5 acres, features a junior Olympic-sized pool, spa, wading pool, club room and tot lot, providing ample opportunities for relaxation and family fun.

Orchard Hills also provides direct access to meandering trails, inviting residents to engage in fresh-air pursuits amid preserved open spaces and scenic beauty. These trails connect to Orchard Hills Trail and Jeffrey Open Space Trail, perfect for walks, runs and bike rides.

Distinguished homebuilders

Brookfield Residential is one of three Summit homebuilders, along with Toll Brothers and Shea Homes. Shea Homes’ Crestview neighborhood offers new construction, single-family detached homes from 2,826 square feet to 3,259 square feet. Toll Brothers Skyline and Pinnacle communities in Summit offer new, estate-sized single-family homes from 4,354 square feet at Pinnacle to 5,344 square feet at Skyline. Brookfield Residential’s Vista in Summit features single-family residences ranging from 3,500 square feet to 4,931 square feet.

The builders and Irvine Company celebrated the grand opening of the community in July. Guests oohed and ahhed over the luxurious finishes and architectural elegance of the model homes while enjoying entertainment, kid-friendly crafts and tasty treats.

Views with a personal connection

During a tour of their home now under construction, the Mathurs point out the views from throughout their property, a vista that includes Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean, city-light views from Irvine Spectrum, Newport Center, Fashion Island and South Coast Metro as well as the nightly fireworks at Disneyland. “Where else in Southern California do you get city and ocean views?” Mathur asks.

The view of Newport Center is particularly meaningful to the couple: It’s where they met, when Amrit’s wealth management practice was located there. Now, he works with his father in the 400 Spectrum tower, also visible from the new home.

Slated for an early October move-in, the Mathurs’ home will be “the most visible home in Summit,” he says. He’s confident his new home will be a strong investment in addition to a wonderful place for his family, so he’s adding value with custom finishes and luxurious landscaping. “We are making significant upgrades to the home, including Arabescato marble finishes throughout,” he says. “We want the landscape and interior to match the future value of the home.”

He praises the virtues of living in the masterplanned community. The prime location, minutes from award-winning schools in the Irvine Unified School District – plus the nearby Montessori where his kids go to school – is key to Summit’s appeal. Mathur raves about the variety of restaurants, plus his favorite upscale fitness center, Club Studio, that’s coming to Orchard Hills Shopping Center. “I have friends who live in gated communities on the coast who drive 15 minutes to their gyms,” he says. “Mine is around the corner.”

Mathur is such a strong advocate for Summit that his parents have bought a home there, too, in the Skyline neighborhood at the top of the hill. Might his sister, brother-in-law and nephew be next?

“Why not? It’s the ultimate opportunity for high-end homebuyers seeking privacy, incredible views and significant appreciation,” he says. “Summit is the crown jewel of Irvine.”

For more information, visit villagesofirvine.com.