Major Redevelopment in Orange, CA: JCPenney Demolition Makes Way for 167 New Homes at Village at Orange

🏗️ Major Redevelopment in Orange, CA: JCPenney Demolition Makes Way for 167 New Homes at Village at Orange

The future of Orange real estate is starting with a wrecking ball.

On Thursday, April 24, city and homebuilding officials will gather to witness the demolition of the long-vacant JCPenney building at the Village at Orange—a once-thriving shopping mall now undergoing a major transformation. The teardown marks a major milestone in a multi-phase redevelopment that will replace aging retail with 167 brand-new townhome-style condominiums, designed to meet the growing housing demand in Orange, CA.

This is more than a mall makeover. It’s a blueprint for the future of housing in Orange County.

📍 Project Location: Village at Orange, 1500 E Village Way, Orange, CA

The Village at Orange has been a retail landmark for decades. But as shopping habits changed and foot traffic declined, many stores—including the JCPenney anchor—shuttered for good. While much of the back half of the mall was demolished in early 2024, the hulking, boarded-up JCPenney has remained untouched—until now.

That changes on April 24, when representatives from Lennar Homes, mall owner TRC, and Newport Beach-based developer Integral Communities will officially break ground on the residential phase of the project.

🏘️ What’s Being Built: 167 New Condominiums with Modern Amenities

Integral Communities is proposing 167 new homes in the form of two- and three-story condominiums. These are not apartments—they’re for-sale housing options designed for homebuyers seeking modern, low-maintenance living in a walkable, established part of Orange.

🔑 Key Features Include:

•Two- and three-story floor plans

•Community pool

•Children’s play area

•Bocce ball court

•Lounge and gathering spaces

These homes are aimed at a growing demographic of first-time buyers, young families, and downsizers who want homeownership without the upkeep of a single-family home.

🧱 Why This Matters: Orange’s Housing Market Is Starved for Inventory

Orange, CA does not see many new home developments, especially near established neighborhoods and shopping centers. This project will inject urgently needed inventory into a housing market that continues to face high demand, low supply, and rising prices.

With Orange County real estate prices consistently climbing, projects like this are essential to helping homeownership remain accessible. The Village at Orange redevelopment is a prime example of “infill housing”—the smart growth strategy of repurposing underused land in already-developed areas rather than building further out into undeveloped space.

🏛️ What Happens Next: Environmental Review & Community Engagement

Before construction begins, the city will initiate an environmental impact review and host community engagement sessions to hear resident input. This public planning phase is expected to begin this summer (2025) and will be key in shaping final design and infrastructure decisions.

🧭 Bigger Picture: OC’s Shift from Retail to Residential

The transformation at the Village at Orange follows a broader trend throughout Orange County and Southern California—dead malls are being reimagined as housing solutions. As online shopping continues to dominate and the need for housing intensifies, developers are turning to large, centrally located sites like malls for new builds.

Other similar redevelopments include:

•The Westminster Mall (proposed 1,100+ homes)

•The Laguna Hills Mall (rebranded Five Lagunas)

•MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana (mixed-use redevelopment underway)

This reflects a regional trend: retail square footage is shrinking, and residential square footage is rising.

🏠 Should You Be Paying Attention?

Yes—especially if you:

•Live near the Village at Orange and want to know how it will affect traffic, schools, and home values

•Are a buyer looking for new construction homes in Orange

•Are a local investor or homeowner wondering how this could influence your property’s appreciation

•Work in development or real estate and want to track key housing trends in OC

📞 Thinking of Buying, Selling, or Investing in Orange?

Whether you’re curious about how this project may impact your neighborhood—or you’re actively looking to buy a new home in Orange—I’m here to help guide you through what’s next.

Get expert insight into the Orange housing market, home values, new construction opportunities, and buyer strategy.

 

 

 

 

 

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