Santaluz a Finalist in Worldwide Awards for Excellence Competition

Urban Land Institute to announce winners of the 'development community's most prestigious award' in November

SAN DIEGO (August 2004) - A model of innovation in land planning, architecture, lifestyle amenities and environmental preservation, the master-planned community of Santaluz has been named one of 19 finalists in the 2004 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Awards for Excellence program. Just two other projects in the state of California were also selected as 2004 ULI awards finalists: Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace.

According to the ULI awards jury, Santaluz has been selected "from among a worldwide inventory of great projects" to compete in the final stage of judging. Entries were submitted this year from South America, Central America, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and all over Asia. (ULI Europe has it own awards program.)

Just this week, three members of the ULI awards jury toured Santaluz to interview the development team and experience the community first-hand. Jury members, who are experts in various industry-related disciplines, were focused on the resourceful use of land, preservation or enhancement of environmental resources, creative development, and innovative design and planning.

"This is a remarkable honor and a much-deserved tribute to each member of the development team that has worked for years to create this spectacular community," said Terry Randall, vice president of DMB Associates, Inc., who developed Santaluz in partnership with TaylorWoodrow Homes, Inc.

Santaluz was designed to be unique to the Southern California market by providing resort-style living in a community inspired by early California heritage. Beginning with a land plan that restored and then preserves the natural habitat, Santaluz features homesites that are clustered together according to natural topography. More than half of the total land area of Santaluz is committed as permanent open space. Circular homesites at Santaluz allow additional preservation of native vegetation, as well as a more seamless transition to formal landscaping.

Architecturally, Santaluz provides a mix of housing types, including some of the most innovative residential designs in the nation. A significant percentage of the homes are single-story, with low-profile architectural characteristics that reflect rustic and informal yet sophisticated styling.

Located on 3,800 acres adjacent to Rancho Santa Fe, Santaluz includes custom homesites, high-end production homes, an 18-hole golf course, recreation complex with casual café, swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center and indoor basketball court, and a private clubhouse and spa.

The distinction as a ULI finalist marks another milestone for the village of Santaluz, which has captured a handful of industry awards. The land plan received both a Gold Nugget Grand Award (2001) and a Builder's Choice Award (2000). In 2002, the Sentinels at Santaluz was named "Detached Community of the Year" by the National Association of Home Builders' National Sales and Marketing Council and "Project of the Year" in the Builder's Choice Design & Planning Awards.

ULI Awards for Excellence winners will be announced at a ceremony in New York City in November. Founded in 1936, ULI has more than 20,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. The institute is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members.

The Santlauz House and Realty Information Center is open daily. Take Interstate 5 to the Via de la Valle exit and go east. Turn right on El Camino Real. Turn left on San Dieguito Road. Travel approximately five miles. Look for signs to The Santaluz House. Call 877-632-6300 or visit www.santaluz.com for additional information.