The James of Irvine Breaks Ground on Luxury Senior Living in Orange County

The eight-story community, opening summer 2027, will feature modern amenities, holistic care and a vibrant, walkable lifestyle

IRVINE, Calif., March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The James of Irvine, a luxury senior living community, celebrated its groundbreaking on March 4, marking a major milestone for the area's first upscale rental-based senior community. The event, held at the 3.03-acre site on Gates Avenue, drew more than 80 attendees, including city officials, developers and industry leaders.

"This project has been years in the making, with so many dedicated teams working together since 2017," said Adam Arnold, Managing Director of Harbert South Bay Partners, who served as emcee. "But as they say, good things come to those who wait — and this is going to be something special, bringing over 200 full-time jobs to the Irvine area."

Designed for baby boomer renters, The James will feature 350 studio, one- and two-bedroom residences for independent living, assisted living and memory care. The eight-story community, set to open in summer 2027, will offer modern amenities, holistic care and a vibrant, walkable lifestyle in the heart of Orange County, with convenient access to Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Tustin.

Owned by the P3 Foundation, The James is being developed by Harbert South Bay Partners and will be managed by Momentum Senior Living. Additional project partners include Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, Rodrigo Vargas Design and W.E. O'Neil Construction.

"The James will be fully integrated into the Irvine community so residents can truly experience everything it has to offer," said Josh Johnson, CEO of Momentum Senior Living. "This will be a new class of senior living, where the goal is simple: helping people live longer and better. And with our corporate office just 2 miles away, we're right here to make that vision a reality."

City of Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai and Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Melinda Liu and William Go were also in attendance. "We're proud to present a certificate of recognition for The James — arguably the best-named building in Irvine," Mai joked. "From the renderings, it looks like a five-star resort, and it truly reflects what makes Irvine a premier place to live and retire."

P3 Foundation Director Louise Waller emphasized the community's impact. "P3 Foundation is all about supporting nonprofit developments that change lives. There is great demand for quality senior housing across the United States and we can't wait to see this one come out of the ground to serve seniors right here in Irvine," she said.

With construction now underway, Executive VP Mike Byrne of W.E. O'Neil Construction highlighted the scale of the project. "We're digging 32 feet deep right now, and once the tower crane is erected, you'll be able to see it from Disneyland. 5,000 ready-mix concrete trucks will be needed to complete the concrete structure — if you lined the trucks up bumper-to-bumper — that's a stretch from Irvine to downtown L.A.," he said. 

"When the exterior goes up, there will be 1,250 windows, and inside, 400 skilled team members will be hard at work on everything from electrical to drywall. This is a massive project, and we're thrilled to bring it to life."

The James will redefine retirement living with luxury amenities and engaging programs. Residents will enjoy multiple dining venues, a bar/lounge, an indoor pool and spa, a wellness gym, a yoga studio, therapy rooms and a salon. Entertainment and enrichment spaces include two theaters, a media lounge, an art studio, a golf simulator and a dog park with a washroom. Outdoor courtyards will feature barbecue grills, fire pits, seating areas, a putting green and bocce courts.

Beyond amenities, The James will offer a dynamic lifestyle with educational workshops, spiritual gatherings and social events. Fresh, chef-prepared meals will be served in inviting dining venues. The community's prime location provides walkable access to The District at Tustin Legacy and nearby medical providers, parks, trails, universities and country clubs.

Hiring will begin in the second quarter of 2026, and The James will welcome new residents in summer 2027. For more information, visit TheJamesSeniorLiving.com.

Media Contact
Ellyce Redmond, Angell Marketing
630.336.2847
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About P3 Foundation
P3 is a national not-for-profit organization serving projects that support education, economic development, healthcare, housing and senior communities through public-private partnerships.

About Momentum Senior Living
Momentum Senior Living manages senior housing assets nationwide, fostering entrepreneurial cultures that prioritize financial success alongside resident and employee satisfaction, with offices in Dallas and Irvine.

About Harbert South Bay Partners
Harbert South Bay Partners, an innovative senior housing developer, has delivered 11,000+ luxury units over 30 years, emphasizing cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art care partnerships.

SOURCE The James of Irvine