The community of Princeton Townhomes was developed in 1985-86 by the Irvine Pacific Company as the newest neighborhood built around the University of California's Irvine campus. At its hub, U. C. Irvine's campus, with its extension courses, lectures, sports, and cultural events infused the entire community with its vision and vitality.

In time, the Marketplace, subsequently renamed the University Center (so as to not be confused with the Market Place on the Tustin/Irvine border) became a new dynamic setting for social interaction and commerce. Across Stanford Street, the main thoroughfare in which the Princeton Townhomes neighborhood is located, is where the Farmer's Market has become a Saturday morning eclectic experience creating a social as well as a shopping treat with its open air stands laden with produce and a variety of goods and services. In addition, shops, restaurants and offices abound as well as an Edwards University Town Center 6 movie theatre which features independent art films. It is here that you may drop in to Dietrich's for that early morning cup of latte, shop at Trader Joe's for your favorite indulgence, dine at Britta's Café for "seasonal faves" like "comfy short ribs", along with foreign favorites like "the best bratwurst and spaetzle," according to the Zagat guide, or frequent a myriad number of fabulous restaurants or fast food establishments from Chakra Indian Cuisine and Steelhead Brewery to In-N-Out Burger or Lee's Sandwiches.

Princeton Townhomes borders Harvard, Stanford, and University Drive, and has as its backdrop open views toward the University Center, views over either Princeton or Stanford Parks, pastoral views over various paseos or greenbelts, panoramic views across Stanford Street or Harvard Avenue or views over University Drive of the mountains, city lights, sunsets, and Upper Newport Ecological Reserve. There are also apartment homes interspersed within the community of which Stanford and Dartmouth Courts are a part.

Residents of Princeton Townhomes have access to four separate University Town Center Association facilities the closest of which are Princeton Park recreation area in which there is a swimming pool and spa (barbeques at the pool), a soccer field and two lighted tennis courts and Stanford Park recreation area in which there is also a pool/spa/barbeques, and a sand volleyball court, tot lot and picnic area.

Additional recreational facilities open to residents of the University Town Center of which Princeton Townhomes is a part include Cornell Commons where there is a Junior Olympic size pool and spa, two lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, and a soccer field, and Columbia Square park in which there is also a pool, spa (barbeque at pool), a tot lot, sand volleyball court, basketball court and picnic area.

    The models at Princeton Townhomes were "dedicated to the spirit and mission of the great universities, and embodying that spirit were individuals who have won the Nobel Prize."

The Aston model was named after Francis Aston. Aston's Nobel Prize was earned in 1922 for his work in Chemistry. His primary invention was the mass spectrograph with which he used to discover the isotopes of non-radioactive substances.

The Aston model is 2 bedroom, 1 1/4 baths and is a carriage unit situated over its own single car enclosed garage. It has a large entry deck, a dramatic living room with a fireplace and formal dining room, both of which have volume ceilings, a large master bedroom with volume ceilings, a triple closet and doors leading out to a private enclosed patio deck. The secondary bedroom is of ample size and the overall floor plan gives one an open, airy feeling.

The Beckett model is a 2-story, two bedroom, one and a quarter plus a Powder Room (1/2 bath) with a one-car direct access garage and an additional carport directly in front of the home. This floor plan is quite dramatic with volume ceilings in both the living and master bedrooms. The living room has a fireplace and there is a formal dining room with doors out to a large enclosed backyard patio area. The master bedroom suite has a large walk-in closet, and there is an ample sized secondary bedroom as well.

The Curie model is a 2-story, 3 bedrooms (or 2 bedrooms + den) and 3 baths with a one car direct access garage plus either an assigned parking space or a carport (depending upon location). There is a main floor bedroom or den downstairs plus a shower, and two bedroom suites upstairs each with their own private full bath. There are volume ceilings in the living room and both bedroom suites. There is a formal dining room with doors out from both living and dining rooms to a large, private enclosed backyard patio area.

It is fitting that these models be named after Nobel Laureates. As the University of California at Irvine has grown and evolved into a world-class institution of higher learning, the faculty has become well-renowned in their own right. In 1995, F. Sherwood Rowland won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. In the same year (1995), Frederick Reines won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the detection of the neutrino. And in 2004, Irwin Rose won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his studies on the breakdown of proteins within cells.

One of the reasons for moving to the community of Princeton Townhomes is its locations within the award-winning Irvine Unified School District's Turtle Rock Elementary School, awarded a California Distinguished school in 2002 and highly sought entry for its high scores and special program for gifted children (GATE), for Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, also well rated in terms of school scores, and University High School, consistently ranked one of the best high schools in the country, and which boasts a large number of advanced placement classes, students awarded merit scholarships, and large class admission to the top University of California schools as well as the top private colleges and universities. University High School has been named both a California Distinguished School and a National Exemplary School

In addition to great Irvine public schools, the community of Princeton Town Homes is located in close proximity to two Montessori preschools, the University Montessori School located on the U.C. Irvine campus and the Village Montessori School located in University Park, several church-related preschools, and additional private preschools, all within a few minutes commute. Finally, there is the UC Irvine Farm School which boasts a history of innovative teaching techniques within a semi-rural environment with its staff of teachers and assistants all drawn from the prestigious U.C. Irvine campus.

Also located across the street on Harvard, bordering Culver Drive and University Drive is William R. Mason Regional Park, well-known for its gathering of friends and family for the festive, annual celebration in the spring of the Persian New Year. Indeed, the regional park is host to many a company and family picnic as well as kite and model plane flying, model boat racing, jogging, biking, strolling or just plain relaxing around the duck pond.

For those who enjoy a longer bike ride, jog, or stroll, one can pick up the trail from Harvard and University Drive along the Santa Ana river bed that will take you all along the Upper Newport Ecological Reserve where you will see an amazing array of migratory birds, as well as an occasional, coyote or raccoon, and flora and fauna native to the area. This trail, if taken its length, will lead you past the UC Irvine crew clubhouse and toward the Newport Dunes where you can dine in a restaurant overlooking the bay or rent a kayak or rowboat for a fun-filled boating excursion. The Friends of the Newport Bay often host tours on the weekends throughout the year, if you would prefer something a bit more educational, and, of course, there are various charity marathons and walks in which you can participate that utilize these trails at different times of the year.

As a resident, one is also close to major business and commercial centers and major shopping centers, such as the Irvine Business District, South Coast Plaza, and Fashion Island, as well as being in close proximity to freeway access (the 405, the 5, and the 55 Freeways, as well as the 73 and the 133 Toll Roads. John Wayne Airport (Orange County Airport) is within a ten minute drive, and the Upper Newport Ecological Reserve is a bike ride, jog, stroll, skateboard, or short drive from all the communities within the University Town Center.

In sum, the community of Princeton Townhomes within the greater University Town Center has much to offer. If Robin can further elaborate on anything contained herein or if you have any questions regarding the neighborhood of Princeton Townhomes, or any of the other neighborhoods within the University Town Center including Cambridge Court, Columbia Square, or Oxford Court, please do not hesitate to e-mail Robin.

Robin has been assisting buyers and sellers within the University Town Center's community of Princeton Townhomes since 1986, and would delight in assisting in any way possible your move to the community.  Eric has been involved in the financial, business and investment side since 1979. We have raised two children in the local school district, and are actively involved in the community.  Please feel free to e-mail Robin with any questions regarding real estate. Robin and Eric Fenchel would be delighted to assist in any way possible your move to the community in and around the University of California at Irvine.

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