By C2 Collaborative
Miralon, one of the largest new "agrihoods" in the U.S. is now being built by Freehold Communities, with help from the landscape architecture firm C2 Collaborative. Its 309 acres offer 1,150 Modernist-inspired residences to harmonize with the architectural heritage of Southern California's Coachella Valley.
A highlight of Miralon is its transformation of a previously constructed 18-hole golf course into working olive and citrus groves, community gardens and walking trails. Former golf cart paths will constitute approximately 6.5 miles of hiking trails. Former tee boxes and greens are being transformed into smaller groves, dog parks, exercise stations, and social areas outfitted with firepits and WiFi. The former golf course's lakes are now water features in the sustainable landscaping. These outdoor spaces are part of Miralon's comprehensive community plan that emphasizes resort living alongside sustainable open space.
"Evolving the existing golf course into habitat-sensitive, olive and citrus is a response to the precious resources of the Coachella Valley including its need for water," said Freehold California Division president Brad Shuckhart. "We considered a wide range of uses, concluding that these crops integrate best with the community's overall approach that values sustainability and social cohesion."
Core Principles
Sustainable principles of the agrihood include resource conservation and efficiency such as: solar energy with every home, a highly efficient community center exceeding Title 24 requirements by more than 15%, impervious surface limitations, front yard landscaping restrictions and Dark Sky compliance.
As seen in LASN magazine, January 2020.