Padova is the newest collection in The Groves at Orchard Hills. Built by Shea Homes, these luxury residences are located outside the original loop of the Groves, near the Varenna neighborhood that opened last year. While the models aren’t projected to open until August, the sales gallery is open and seven of the neighborhood’s 36 homes have already sold. Residents of Padova will be part of the Orchard Hills Neighborhood Association and near Hideaway Park. The models are located a little deeper into the hills than the homes will be; they will be off Royal Pine, just a little past the turnoff from Furrow.
Padova homes are part of the Tustin Unified School District. Students in grades K – 4 will attend Hicks Canyon Elementary School. Students in grades 5 – 8 will attend Orchard Hills School. Eventually, Orchard Hills School should accommodate grades K – 8, though I don’t believe there is a timeline set for the expansion. Beckman High School will serve students in grades 9 – 12.
There are four models in Padova, plus a 4X variation. The homes range from 2,898 – 3,474 square feet. They have 4-4 bedrooms and 4.5 – 5.5 bathrooms. Most have a few options for variations to the floor plan. Lot sizes range from approximately 4,000 – 10,000 square feet, with most homes in the middle to higher end of that range. All of the houses are situated along two cul-de-sacs. Residences 1 and 4X will not have models. Every home will have a 2-car garage.
| Plan | Sq. Ft. | Beds | Baths | Price of currently available homes | Extras / Options |
| 1 | 2,898 | 4 – 5 | 4.5 – 5.5 | No homes available | Lounge/Optional Bed & Bath 5 Optional prep kitchen Optional outdoor kitchen |
| 2 | 2,946 | 4 | 4.5 | $1,292,485 $1,295,000 |
2nd floor lounge Optional outdoor kitchen |
| 3 | 3,014 | 4 – 5 | 4.5 – 5.5 | No homes available | Lounge/Optional Bed & Bath 5 Optional extended kitchen Optional outdoor kitchen |
| 4 | 3.402 | 4 – 5 | 4.5 – 5.5 | $1,372,095 | 1st floor den Lounge/Optional Bed & Bath 5 Optional outdoor kitchen |
| 4X | 3,474 | 4 – 5 | 4.5 – 5.5 | $1,448,560 | 1st floor den Lounge/Optional Bed & Bath 5 Optional outdoor kitchen |
Residence 4X is 72 square feet bigger than residence 4. In the 4X, the den and first-floor bedroom are each a little wider, which accounts for the difference. The layouts are otherwise identical. Residence 4X homes all have a wide sideyard on the side of the house with the den and bedroom. There are only six total 4X homes in Padova, with four of them backing to the empty land behind the neighborhood. There are only three residence 1 homes in the community.
The homes currently on the market are projected to be available for move-in sometime between October and December.
The Orchard Hills Neighborhood Association dues will range from approximately $279 – $297 per month. Estimated property taxes will have a base of 1.00%. The CFD special tax will range from $5,199 – $5,644 per year and is based upon the square footage of the home.
Though the models aren’t open yet, you can request a hard hat tour on the weekends. Close-toed shoes are required. Contact the sales gallery if you would like to tour the homes. Virtual tours are also available online. When the models open in August, I will write a full review with pictures.