The community of University Park established its cornerstones early on. The goal was to have quality housing with attractive amenities for people to live year-round. It also sought to bring a contemporary architectural style of single-family homes to the desert. 

The site is located off the 10-freeway surrounded by new development. Across the 10 is a new sports arena and event center which will activate the area and bring in a new demographic. Located near Cal State University San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus – hence the name University Park – the community envisions a mix of families, students, and young professionals.  

The land plan from the University Neighborhood Specific Plan was modified to achieve the developers goals for market acceptance. WHA worked closely with the city and developer, University Park Investors LLC, beginning with a multi-day design charrette to share and collaborate on quality neighborhood crafting, community amenities and architectural design. The resulting plan is a testament to great teamwork and balance of the goals for each entity. 

The new plan embraces community and connection by offering event spaces with outdoor rooms, two pools, pocket parks, and art walks that are interconnected by trails. 

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The grand entry off Gerald Ford Drive and Pacific Avenue leads to the recreation building which serves as the anchor of the community with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and the Coachella Valley from various angles of the building. Alley-loaded homes creatively face the recreation amenity, which supports and enhances the trails and walking network within University Park. 

Thoughtful planning ensured a logical flow of density throughout the site with the new apartment parcel adjacent to the existing garden apartments on the eastern edge.  Row townhomes near the rental apartments transition to the unique SFD 4-pac cluster, then to the conventional single family detached homes. In its entirety, the community will consist of a dynamic mix of 1,069 homes in a variety of price points to be attractive to a broad segment of buyers. 

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​WHA is working on many developments in the Coachella Valley and we are excited to see the region come alive with new housing and energized buyers.