Irvine Ranch Strategic Financial Planning
Strategic Business Planning
Newport Beach, California USA
Stonecreek LLC Principal at one time directed strategic financial planning for The Irvine Company, one of the largest land development organizations, landowners and investment property builders in California. Work occurred shortly after the management buyout implemented by Mr. Donald Bren, where for the first time five-year forward plans for the consolidated company holdings were prepared. The consolidated land development and investment property financial plans were intended as an integral information system for forward planning.
Irvine is the country's largest and best-known planned community. Now a city of over 150,000 people, its housing "villages" and business developments were sculpted from portions of the huge Irvine Ranch, purchased by James Irvine in 1864. Cattle and sheep once grazed the flat valley, but James Irvine began switching from ranching to farming in the late 1800s. The ranch became a leading producer of barley and lima beans, but other crops, such as asparagus, avocados, strawberries and orange trees, also flourished. In the early 1900s, a town centered around the agricultural activity and East Irvine began to grow. It included a general store and a post office. That area - no longer the city's center - has been redeveloped as Old Town Irvine, using the historical buildings as restaurants, shops and a hotel. Irvine's growth as a residential and employment area was spurred by the decision to build a local University of California campus. In 1960, The Irvine Co. donated 1,000 acres and sold 500 acres to the university system for the new campus. In 1970, the company announced an ambitious plan to turn 43 square miles of undeveloped land into a master-planned community. Rows of houses rapidly began replacing rows of crops. From 1970 to 1980, Irvine was California's fastest growing city. Threatened with possible annexations by other cities, Irvine incorporated in 1971. Irvine officials tout it as a progressive, trend setting city that delivers a high level of services to its residents. It is famed for its highly regulated residential neighborhoods. Community rules ban visual blight such as television antennas and recreational vehicles parked on the streets. Residents are expected to keep their property as neat as that of their neighbors. The city also prides itself on its parks, bicycle trails and recreational programs for children.
Client: The Irvine Company. Work completed by Stonecreek LLLC Principal while Executive in charge of strategic planning for The Irvine Company, prior to formation of the firm.
