Irvine Company - Definition

The Irvine Company is a century-old, privately held company based in Orange County, California, and specializing in real estate development. It grew out of the 185 square mile (479 km²) ranch founded by James Irvine and two other partners in 1864 from Mexican and Spanish land grants.

Today, the company is known in Orange County as the developer of master-planned communities throughout Central and Southern Orange County. A partial list of Irvine Company cities with its characteristic tract homes:

• Irvine, California
• Tustin, California
• Newport Beach, California
• Newport Coast, California

The communities are marked with a suburban feel and attract relatively affluent residents. Despite the large population of the cities, public transportation remains a minor factor, with most residents choosing to drive private cars.

The Irvine Company is now owned by Donald Bren, who purchased all outstanding shares in 1996.

External links

• Irvine Company website (http://www.irvineco.com/)
• Map of new homes from the Irvine Company (http://www.irvineranch.com/villages/map.asp)