The luxurious senior living community, James of Irvine, celebrated the groundbreaking groundbreaking on March 4th, marking a major milestone for the area’s first luxury rental-based senior community.
“We’re committed to working with people who are looking for a way to help us,” said Adam Arnold, managing director of Harbert South Bay Partners, who served as EMCEE. “But as they say, good things will come to those who are waiting, and this will be special.
Designed for baby boomer renters, Irvine’s James features 350 studios and one- and two-bedroom homes for independent living, support and memory care. The eight-storey community, set to open in the summer of 2027, will offer a vibrant, walkable lifestyle in the heart of Orange County with modern amenities, holistic care and convenient access to Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Tustin.
James, owned by the P3 Foundation, is developed by Harbert South Bay Partners and managed by Momentum Senior Living. Additional project partners include Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, Rodrigo Vargas Design and We O’Neil Construction.
“James is fully integrated into the Irvine community, allowing residents to truly experience everything they have to offer,” said Josh Johnson, CEO of Momentum Senior Living. “This will be a new class in senior living where the goal is simple. It will help people live a better life for a longer and better place. And with our corporate offices only two miles apart, we are here to make that vision come true.”
Irvine City Deputy Mayor James Mai and councillors Kathleen Torresder, Melinda Liu and William Go were also present. “I’m proud to present James’s recognition certificate, perhaps the best name building in Irvine,” joked Mai. “From the rendering it looks like a five-star resort. It truly reflects what makes Irvine the best place to live and retire.”
Louise Waller, director of the P3 Foundation, highlighted the community’s impact. “The P3 Foundation is about supporting life-changing nonprofit developments. There is a huge demand for quality senior housing across the United States, and we can’t wait for this to come out of the ground to serve our seniors here in Irvine,” she said.
With ongoing construction, We O’Neil Construction executive VP Mike Byrne highlighted the scale of the project. “We’re digging 32 feet deep right now. Once the tower crane is built, we can see it from Disneyland. To complete the concrete structure, we’ll need 5,000 ready-made mixed concrete trucks. If you line up the trucks from bumper to bumper, it’s a stretch from Irvine to downtown,” he said.
“When the exterior gets up, there are 1,250 windows and inside, 400 skilled team members can work hard on everything from electricity to drywall. This is a massive project and we are excited to make it happen.”
James redefines life with gorgeous amenities and engaging programs. Residents can enjoy multiple dining venues, a bar/lounge, an indoor pool and spa, a wellness gym, yoga studio, therapy room and salon. The entertainment and enrichment space features two theatres, a media lounge, an art studio, a golf simulator and a dog park with washrooms. The outdoor courtyard features barbecue grills, a fire pit, a seating area, and putting greens and bocce coats.
Beyond amenities, James offers a dynamic lifestyle with educational workshops, spiritual gatherings and social events. Fresh chef prepared meals are served in an attractive dining venue. The main locations in the community provide walkable access to Tustin Legacy and nearby healthcare providers, parks, trails, universities and country club districts.
