Old Money Luxury
The city of Irvine, California in Orange County is the secret brainchild of an “old money” family for which the town itself was named – The Irvines.
Certainly, their foresight in land development not only crafted the physical landscape of cities like Irvine but also laid the groundwork for the thriving economic powerhouse Orange County is today.
———————————-
The “Old Money” Family That Built Beverly Hills: The Doheny Dynasty:
———————————-
The Top 5 Richest “Old Money” Families In America (Still Wealthy Today):
———————————-
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:59 Chapter 1: Ideals of The Irvines
3:30 Chapter 2: The Origins of The Irvines
8:23 Chapter 3: The Founding of Irvine, California
13:00 Chapter 4: Joan Irvine Smith
16:04 Chapter 5: Donald Bren and The Future of The Irvine Family
———————————-
Dive into the radiant heart of Orange County, California, or “the O.C.,” and you’ll find more than just sun-soaked beaches and upscale malls.
Here lies the foundational saga of the Irvine family, whose quiet logistical influence and “old money” financial acumen sculpted this iconic region from the ground up.
Their foresight in land development not only crafted the physical landscape of cities like Irvine but also laid the groundwork for the thriving economic powerhouse Orange County is today.
Once upon a time, the vast expanse known as “The Irvine Ranch” dominated Orange County’s geography, stretching a staggering 110,000 acres from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana River.
This colossal estate accounted for nearly a third of what is now Orange County.
The Irvines were more than land barons; they were master strategists and community pillars, forever imprinting their legacy through strategic donations like the land for the University of California, Irvine, and Irvine Regional Park.
The tale of the Irvine family’s fortune, intricately tied to the rich and fertile lands of the Irvine Ranch, suggests a legacy of considerable magnitude.
Fast forward to today, the Irvine Company, although now led outside of the direct family line by real estate mogul Donald Bren, continues as a titan of real estate with an enduring influence over Southern California’s development.
The Irvines’ saga began not on American soil but across the Atlantic in the rugged landscapes of Scotland and Ireland’s Ulster province.
Here, amidst new communities, they wove their steadfast traditions and fierce spirit into the fabric of their new homeland before setting their sights on the expansive possibilities of America.
James Irvine, the first, emerged in 1827 in County Down, Ireland, at a time shadowed by the Great Famine.
In 1845, driven by necessity and hope, James and his brother William embarked on a perilous journey across the Atlantic to New York City.
James Irvine’s strategic mind flourished during the California Gold Rush, where he opted to become a merchant rather than a miner, laying the foundation for future financial success through savvy investments in real estate and business ventures in San Francisco.
By the 1860s, Irvine had ventured into lucrative partnerships focused on sheep-raising and other agricultural pursuits, significantly expanding his wealth.
The pivotal partnership with Flint, Bixby, and Company marked a significant chapter in the Irvine family’s history.
This collaboration further expanded their land holdings, culminating in the establishment of the Irvine Ranch.
This partnership not only secured the family’s financial stability but also laid the groundwork for the transformation of a significant part of California’s landscape.
James Irvine’s legacy continued through his descendants, with his son James Harvey Irvine further developing the vast ranch into a prosperous agricultural and commercial stronghold.
Under his stewardship, the Irvine Company was formed, solidifying the family’s foundational role in what would eventually become the city of Irvine.
The city itself, envisioned by architect William Pereira and the Irvine Company’s Raymond Watson, was designed as a series of “villages” linked by arterial thoroughfares, with the University of California, Irvine, serving as the cultural and educational centerpiece.
This master-planned community emphasized sustainability and strategic growth, fostering Irvine’s evolution from sprawling ranchland to a modern urban hub.
Today, Irvine’s legacy is carried forward by the Irvine Company under the leadership of Donald Bren, who has continued to influence the region through careful development and philanthropic efforts, ensuring that the original vision of the Irvine family continues to shape the future of Orange County.
%20|%20Oxygen){kind=link}
COMMENT: Are you a native of Orange County or the Los Angeles area – and what is your opinion on the city of Irvine’s planning?
Yes I’m a native of OC. Irvine is planned really well. The area around UCI is especially nice, University neighborhood
Irvine ranch is one best places on the planet
@@thehapagirl92 Planned well for what driving around in circles?
Yes, “master planned” might be true, but doesn’t make it any easier to navigate its highway speed roads and minutes long lights. Also have you even been to the Irvine Spectrum? Who master planned that?! Irvine is great though 😂
“Are you a native of Orange County” Yes. “what is your opinion on the city of Irvine’s planning?” Around 25 years ago (maybe the 25th anniversary of incorporation?), there was an urban planning conference held in Irvine. It was intended as a back-patter for how well Irvine had been planned, except someone from outside of the area got up to the podium and started talking about how lonely and isolating Irvine seemed to them (my words — haven’t read the article since then). No city center, no real rapid transit, and no focus to it.
Having lived most of my life around here, I’m fine with the “bedrooms + stores = city” concept, but Irvine really isn’t much different than dozens of other cities in the region. Compared to someplace with a vibrant downtown and the means to easily move within it, Irvine is just another decentralized sea-of-housing-tracts SoCal city. Boston has “only” twice the population of Irvine, but has infinitely more things to see and do. Even Costa Mesa checks more boxes than Irvine in that regard.
Irvine is very cookie cutter everything looks th same with few unique landmarks, some would say its soulless. Its also a bedroom community, not much to do during during the day, boring as hell compared to most of LA. The walkability score is poor, and im not talking about walking trails. you need a car to cross town to do anything. The commercial mix of store/restaurants is lopsided toward Pho’ or Kebab fast casual restaurants and the Spectrum has turned into little Arabia. My takeaway is, if you’re a hermit and don’t leave home, Irvine is perfect for you.
Anyone who’s pro-jewish or pro-palestinian or pro Ukrainian, imagine we all became pro-american and we kicked everyone out back to Europe and Asia and Africa and only Native Americans stayed here
Give me Hearst Ranch over Irvine Ranch, but, I am an OC native and Irvine has a special place in my memories.
I grew up in OC, had a successful window cleaning business, bought a small homestead cabin on 2.5 acres in Joshua Tree for 10k in ’01.
Sold my Costa Mesa house 3 years ago and moved to my cabin. OC is now an overpriced zoo.
My grandmother ran the Irvine stables and the saddleback stables .I remember when it was all farmland around el toro marine corps base
lol. its nice to see the concept of serfs and lords is still around. when i heard a company owned a whole city at first it was hard to believe that was still thing. i will say irvine does look nice and is well kept but its a very sterile corporate feel imo.
Sterile is the right word. Which color beige would you like on your house. Many adjacent OC communities have much more appeal. Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Fountain Valley, others.
Can’t say I’ve seen such a high caliber of commenters to a YouTube vid before. Both rich and poor. Just my opinion but in the 40 years I’ve been in OC, it seems that The Irvine Co and Bren always try to squeeze the last dollar out of their tenants. Just because you can get $4,500 for a 2 BR apt, is it morally reasonable to do so when you’re worth $18B? For the record, i own a mortgage free house but in the 80s, I rented so I could save up for a down payment. Don’t see how a young couple can do that today.
Words of wisdom
Thanks so much for the kind words and respect to our community! 🙂
I grew up in Irvine, I’ve also lived Los Angeles as an adult and I’m now raising my child in Mission Viejo. The planning and safety are nice. You can’t beat raising a family in south Orange
County! But the cost of living has increased so much recently 😅
Not my Orange County!
You will own nothing.
The land was given to them from the Indians. Because he married his daughter he was told to ride for one day and that land is yours. He did. But at night he road out and moved his marker out further till he had millions of acres not just thousands
but hes not an Irvine.
My kids went to Myford Elementary in the city of Irvine and my daughter attended UCI. This struck close to home, literally.
Enslaving, killing and displacing indigenous people the whole way..i was born in Newport Beach..
I love Tustin, Irvine that’s about all I could ever afford. My brother lived In HB for 30 years off Bristol , couldn’t take our governor anymore flew off to the big D Texas. Now in San Diego I moved to I love it here. The story of Irvine’s was great nothing like old money ,I’m new money 😮
Tustin is great they have a real city. I love their moto. How does it go? “Live were you must please eat and shop here” Something like that.
I grew up in Mission Viejo, CA. I was there before Lake Mission Viejo was created. My parent’s house had a grand view of Saddleback Mountain.
Was raised in Westminster and always was in awe of Irvine. Great planning. Summerlin and most places in Vegas valley wish they could be like Irvine but fail terribly (ive lived there for years).
As someone who lived in 6 cities in 4 countries on 3 continents in the last dozen years, I settled down in Irvine because it’s the perfect combination of weather, safety, affluence, education, and comfort. I’ve been to most metropolitan cities in the world and nothing compares to Irvine (Singapore and Dubai are close but too hot and restrictive)
Loved this video! Will do a video on just the Bixby family? and can you do a video on the Segerstrom family?