Community History

Villeurbanne

Nestled below Santiago Hills is a touch of Europe found in the community of Villeurbanne.  This 57 acre development is tucked away just east of El Modena off Cannon Road, and contained between Creekside and Stillwater Avenues.

History

The land surrounding Villeurbanne was part of the El Mondena grade, an undeveloped hilly terrain that stood in between the City of Orange to the west and the rugged Santa Ana Mountains to the east.  The Akins Company purchased land there at the turn of the 1970s with the goal of building a one-of-a-kind community.

Development History

Named after the French town, Villeurbanne is inspired by a modern European villa.  The community is comprised of attached townhomes, meant to invoke the tight-knit village qualities of Europe.  The first phase of development, Hill House (later renamed Orange View), was introduced in March 1981.  Two more neighborhoods, Stream House and Garden House, premiered a year later.  Homes were originally priced from $84,000 up to $120,000, and were primarily marketed to couples and young families.

Many units initially remained unsold as a result of the nationwide recession.  The Akins Company eventually sold off Villeurbanne in 1983.  The new developer changed the community name to the Foothills of Orange, and launched a second phase of Hill House homes in 1984 and the Canyon Glen neighborhood in 1986.

Villeurbannes’s distinct futuristic-looking architecture sets it apart from its contemporaries.  Manicured landscapes, fountains and streams reflect the scenic countryside setting of the surrounding area.

Villeurbanne offers a taste of Europe with a cool California flavor.  Its blend of stylish post-modern architecture and scenic nature-scapes makes this community especially unique for Orange County.