Opening pages: Lake Park, the primary planned recreational component of Rancho Santa Margarita, the first amenity to create a sense of place.

Above: Planners initially conceived five separate villages surrounded by open space that would offer a variety of residential products and lifestyle options.

Right: The illustrative plan depicts the density and scale of the 5,000-acre (2,023-hectare) community, which integrates 14,000+ dwelling units with a town center, business park, recreational facilities, and significant open space.

Opposite: The Santa Ana Mountains along the northern edges of the city are indicative of the varied terrain within its boundaries. Commercial uses are located mainly in the flat Plano Trabuco, whereas widespread residential development capitalizes on panoramic and scenic views at the higher elevations and the more urban, walkable environment of the town center.

Promontory Point is more externally oriented than most developments of this size. In order to secure community approval, for instance, owners and designers provided easements for cars to use the main entrance and parking lot overlooking the bluff. Visitors may also have access to various vistas throughout the long, narrow property.

MAIN LEVEL

LOFT LEVEL

Opposite top,
lounge and clubhouse.
Opposite below,
swimming pool.
Below, section
through hillside.
Bottom, clubhouse
with Balboa Island
in distance.