Bringing Community Back

Programs range from the lavish—such as “Hot Summer Nights” at Irvine Spectrum’s The Park and The Village communities with fire dancers, DJs, photo booths, food and drinks and live bands—to block party Fire Truck Pizza events in Woodbridge—where families and friends come out to enjoy pizza freshly made in a converted fire truck. Thoughtful touches include Earth Day succulents given to all residents, containers of flowers for residents to come pick out bouquets on their own, or the popular “Breakfast On the Go” program where staffmembers give residents freshly made breakfast burritos as they leave for work in the mornings.

"Whether the larger-scale events or the smaller resident appreciation touches, the impact of giving back to our residents complimentary activities and events is fantastic to see," says Michelle. "Our communities thrive when neighbors are given the opportunity to relax and unwind together around the pool, in the club rooms, beside the fire-pits, or on the great lawn."

When asked about her favorite Irvine Company Apartment Community event, Michelle doesn’t hesitate. “The team at Crescent Village Apartment Homes in Northern California decided to throw a Holiday Social. It was quite simple,” Michelle recalls. “We had classic holiday movies, a hot soup station and cocktails. I immediately noticed how much it meant to people especially those whose friends and families were far away."

In the Silicon Valley hub of San Jose, growing companies bring in talent from all over the world so many of the residents of Crescent Village were new to the area.

“I realized that many of these families were homesick and saw the community as an extension of their family. Residents began singing carols and some even formed their own impromptu game of charades—I’ll never forget it,” Michelle says.

As a culture, we tend to categorize our relationships. We have our families, significant others, work friends, and long-term friends. We keep these single-purpose friends in their own boxes and they don’t transfer into other parts of our lives. So where are those friends, the ones who you would call if you need someone to check on your home, your pet, or if there’s an emergency? Increasingly, they are in our own backyards; they are our neighbors. Forming friendships with neighbors brings a sense of security and belonging. And these programs—which range from farmers’ markets, to poolside sunset soirees, to aquafit classes and more—have brought the nostalgic feeling of neighborhood to Irvine Company Apartment Communities.

“I like to think of our events as a modern twist on community gatherings,” Michelle smiles. “Come out, enjoy good food and shake hands with your neighbor. You’ll be glad you did.”

*Programming varies across communities.