Agrihood

In Palm Springs, CA, a developer is building the next agrihood in the desert. Olive trees and pockets of citrus trees are a centerpiece. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) defines agrihoods as single-family, multifamily, or mixed-use communities built with a working farm or community garden as a focus. In the Coachella Valley, Freehold Communities is building a new agrihood on 97 acres. Brad Shuckhart is President of the California Division of Freehold Communities. Here is an overview of the project. Overview of Miralon, the newest agrihood planned for the Palm Springs, CA area… Miralon is one of the largest new “agrihoods” in the United States. Now being built by Freehold Communities, its 309 acres will offer 1,150 Modernist-inspired residences to harmonize with the Coachella Valley’s architectural heritage. Freehold Communities is a developer of masterplanned communities, with offices in California, Massachusetts, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. A highlight of Miralon is its transformation of an existing (yet, never played) 18-hole golf course into working olive and citrus groves, community gardens, and walking trails. Paths meant to serve as golf cart paths previously will now 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 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 ...