The Depot Walk was a 1st for even Olson Homes, the builder. Part of the United States Green Building Council’s pilot program for their LEED for Neighborhood Development Certification, Depot Walk was actually the 1st LEED Certified residential development in Orange County. WHA (William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc. was charged with the task of designing the 32 home development directly adjacent to the Orange Train Depot. Hence the name, Depot Walk. Built in 2 phases, new home sales wrapped up for Olson Homes by the end of 2008 with a high sale of approximately $600,000 and a low of $450,000. There are few locations in Orange County that are more appropriate for a green development. Depot Walk is strategically located next to the Train Depot for daily commuters heading to LA or San Diego. Although there is still a small group who travel this way on a regular basis today, it’s more than likely that Southern California’s rail systems will be a greater part of our transportation mix over the next 30+ years. The famed Orange Circle is only a few minutes walk from Depot Walk as well as Chapman University. St Joesph Hospital, UCI Medical Center, The Honda Center, Angel Stadium, The Block at Orange and Disneyland are all within 4 miles distance.
All homes include their own Sunpower solar systems, Rheem tank-less hot water heaters, less toxic finish materials, and a well sealed building envelope among many other neat “green” building features. Native and drought tolerant landscaping can be found throughout the development. 3 of the 32 homes were zoned as mix use which have enabled a few Depot Walk Residents to use their 1st floor as commercial space.
