THE LASTING CHARM OF IRVINE TERRACE

When award-winning architect Annette Wiley bought her 1950s tract house in Irvine Terrace, she planned to remodel it and then move on, as she had done a few times before. “I was going to flip it in six months,” Wiley recalls. “But I liked it so much I couldn’t leave.”

More than 30 years later, the founder and principal of Wiley Architects still calls Irvine Terrace home. She rebuilt the house in 2007, renovated it in 2014, and has watched the neighborhood around her grow in value and reputation. What keeps her there, she says, is simple: “It’s not overbuilt. Even with the remodels and upgrades, it’s still single-story, family homes. That’s what gives it character.”

A Neighborhood with History

A subdivision of Corona del Mar, Irvine Terrace was developed by Irvine Company in the 1950s. With just 390 homes arranged on terraced streets above Newport Harbor, the neighborhood was designed to feel intimate yet open. The local homeowners association rules include height limits that preserve views and consistency.

The neighborhood today is known for its understated luxury and ties to the sea. Street names were taken from yachts anchored in Newport Harbor, at least two of which belonged to local celebrities. Galatea Terrace, for instance, is inspired by a 68-foot yawl owned by the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz and moored at Newport Harbor in the 1930s. Santana Drive is named after a 55-foot yawl that was owned by actor Humphrey Bogart.

Every winter, neighbors gather to watch the holiday boat parade, enjoying their spectacular views close to the harbor. Wiley, who once had an office looking right over the docks, used to throw an annual party there on the parade date and estimates she has watched it at least 20 times.

Family Traditions and Easy Living

The Irvine Terrace community was familiar to Wiley long before she moved in. Growing up in La Cañada Flintridge, she and her family often spent holidays and summers on Balboa Island. “People from Pasadena and Glendale always had summer places down here,” she remembers. “It felt like a second home.”

That sense of ease still defines Irvine Terrace. Wide avenues, walkability and proximity to Fashion Island, Corona del Mar Village and Balboa Island give the place a relaxed rhythm. Wiley often walks the 3.5-mile loop from her house to Balboa and back, circling the island’s boardwalk of shops, cafes and waterfront views.

“It’s walkable, with no pretension and no guarded gatehouse,” she says. “You can get to everything easily.”

When Wiley renovated her home a decade ago, she opened up spaces to natural light, used sustainable materials and planted low-water succulents in the garden. The result is a house that reflects both her training as an architect and the midcentury sensibility of the neighborhood.

Quiet Community, Strong Ties

Irvine Terrace residents find connection through the park at its heart — a gathering spot for children’s soccer games and neighborhood strolls. Says Wiley: “You can be as private or as social as you want. People are friendly. If you have a dog or a kid, that’s all it takes to meet neighbors.”

Today, new homes on the bluffs above the harbor can sell for a premium, a sign of the area’s soaring desirability. Yet Irvine Terrace retains the charm that drew families in the 1950s.

For Wiley, the fact that she stayed so long says it all. “I couldn’t find anywhere I liked better,” she says.

Culinary Couple Finds Their Bliss

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Irvine Terrace residents Will and Sarah Mouchet with sons Wesley, 2, Wyatt, 5, and Warner, 1

Will and Sarah Mouchet live across from Fashion Island in the Irvine Terrace neighborhood, which is convenient, as Will is executive chef at the new RH Ocean Grill at the shopping center. Sarah grew up in Orange County, Will is from North Carolina, and the two worked together as chefs at Michelin-star rated The French Laundry. They moved into their newly remodeled home about a year ago, where they live with their three young sons. Sarah, who also has an artisan chocolate company called Golden State Sweets, took time to answer a few questions.

How do you like Irvine Terrace?

We love living here; it is so centrally located to everything. We love the mix of midcentury homes with the newer construction. There are other young families, and the older couples are happy to see young kids riding bikes on the street.

How did you two meet?

We started working at The French Laundry within a few days of each other. He showed me where to get the symbolic blue apron with the three Michelin stars embroidered. We worked there for many years together, with him rising through the ranks as a sous chef, while I spent the majority of my time there as the chocolatier.

As a culinary couple, who cooks at home?

My husband spends his days making sure guests are getting phenomenal food at the restaurant, and I do the bulk of the cooking at home on those days. We also love using our grill and buy most of our meats from The Butchery in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center.

What do you and the family enjoy about living in the area?

My parents are members at the country club across Coast Highway from us, so it’s an easy walk over to meet them for lunch. The boys love the fountains and the koi pond at Fashion Island. We shop at Whole Foods almost every day, and visit the toy store, Odin Parker.

Do you have holiday traditions with your family?

We like visiting Santa at Fashion Island and going to see the giant Christmas tree. I get a new ornament every year at the kiosk where they write everyone’s names on it. We love walking to Balboa Island to see all the boats lit up, as well.

Perhaps your chocolates can be a tradition for locals? 

I pulled out all the stops to produce French Laundry-quality chocolate. I do local pop-ups around the holidays. You can order gift boxes, advent calendars and the chocolates online, or I will also personally deliver to your doorstep. goldenstatesweets.com