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Irvine Inn Celebrates 20th Anniversary

November 17, 2015 | McCormack Baron Salazar

McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. and Aragon Affordable Housing, Inc. along with the Honorable Steven Choi, Mayor of the City of Irvine, and Kevin Fincher the Orange County Community Services Development Administrator celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Orange County’s first SRO, Irvine Inn Apartments. The event took place this afternoon at the apartment property, located at 2810 Warner, with a program featuring speakers and a special tribute to key individuals. Kevin Fincher, stated “I don’t think any of us that were involved back then realized the influence that Irvine Inn would have on the affordable housing situation in Orange County.”

Twenty years ago Bart Hansen, William “Bill Budge, Mike LeBlanc, Wayne Blauvelt, Mark Conzelman, and Mike Lennon recognized the critical need for affordable housing in Orange County. The target market were single persons in low paying jobs many of whom were at risk of homelessness and were employed in the adjacent industrial park. McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. and Aragon Affordable Housing, Inc., a local non-profit group, partnered to develop the SRO prototype that offered market rate amenities at reasonably priced rents. “McCormack Baron Salazar saw Irvine Inn as a development challenge and an opportunity to bring a new and creative affordable housing option to Orange County. This opportunity was not without skepticism, but I think 20 years later everyone is more than pleased with its impact,” said Tony Salazar President of West Coast Operations for McCormack Baron Salazar.

Irvine Inn has 192 100% affordable furnished single room occupancy studio apartment homes.  Included in each 250-square-foot apartment are all-electric, energy-efficient appliances, ceiling fans and extra storage space for clothes and linen and all major utilities. This gated community features a swimming pool, a cardio-fitness center with free weights, laundry facility, media room and computer lab, all powered by solar panels on the roofs. Conveniently located with access to all major highways and minutes from University of Southern California Irvine and Irvine Valley College. Irvine Inn Apartments is the ideal address for convenient access to the area’s restaurants, entertainment and shopping.   “Irvine Inn is an example of incorporating a smart design that truly is an asset to the community and its residents,” said Scott Larsen.  As a long term resident, Richard Adam expressed, “as a fourteen year resident of the Irvine Inn, I’ve seen many improvements that staff and tenants make.  It is a pleasure to call Irvine Inn my home.”

As part of the festivities, a fund raiser was held to benefit Aragon Affordable Housing, Inc. in their efforts against homelessness and to make housing attainable for those individuals that may be at risk. Donations were accepted at the event.