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Brookfield Residential celebrates its 70th year in the industry this year. They reflect that the most important history is not longevity alone, but what the years represent. Upon their decades of building, their philosophy is defined by the idea that communities are commitments that extend well beyond the initial sale. This is guided by their core principles throughout market cycles. Brookfield Residential’s steady commitment to passion, integrity and community guides their movement throughout land investment, community planning and sales. 

“What has evolved is how that philosophy is applied in a more complex and demanding market,” said Greg Shaia, President of U.S. Housing at Brookfield Residential. “Expectations around efficiency, sustainability, transparency and customer experience have increased and our approach has evolved alongside them.” 

A Committed and Calculated Team 

For Brookfield Residential, maintaining quality, pace and alignment across housing, land and construction teams, formal mechanisms play an important role. Their team members stay aligned through structured reporting and cross-functional meetings even as communities move through different phases. A priority for them as well is spending time in the communities they build which helps them remain grounded in the purpose behind the work. Key decisions made over a project production are related through a strong point of reference, connecting their vision while markets shift and conditions change. Shaia reflected that by  combining structure with clear principles and real-world connection, Brookfield Residential is able to maintain consistency while allowing communities to evolve in thoughtful and intentional ways.

Brookfield Residential’s integrated land and housing model is a distinct advantage for long term success. “This integrated approach supports stronger decision-making, greater predictability and more cohesive communities,” said Shaia. Their connectivity streamlines decision making by community vision and real-time housing performance. From the land side, community plans are developed with a clear understanding of  design, construction and livability over time. This approach informs infrastructure, amenity programming, lot configurations and phasing strategies to be influenced by demand rather than theoretical assumptions. From the housing side, their direct involvement in land planning allows for strategic execution across architectural expression and pricing. Feedback from sales performance and homeowner experience then flows back into future phases, helping refine product mix and community design as the development matures.

Deliberate Launches

One launch from the past year stands out to Brookfield Residential because it reflects how deliberately they approach opportunities where expectations are high and differentiation truly matters. “This community signified a return to the Orange County luxury market after nearly a decade,” said Shaia. “The approach was not about scale but precision.”

Vista in Summit at Orchard Hills is a luxury residential neighborhood larger Orchard Hills master-planned community in Irvine, Calif. Brookfield Residential broke ground on Vista in Summit in 2024, followed by opening in 2025. Robert Hidey Architects served as the architectural partner, contributing to the overall design language of the homes. While SMP Environmental Design led the environmental and landscape design efforts, shaping the integration of outdoor spaces throughout the community. Creative Design Consultants was Vista’s interior designer, working across specifications, material selections, furniture and interior detailing. 

The neighborhood is planned as a small, boutique enclave consisting of 73 single-family homes. Residences range from approximately 3,500 to nearly 5,000 square feet. Inside they feature high-performance insulation, effective air sealing, durable window systems and efficient mechanical design. The limited scale was intentional and allowed for a higher level of customization, architectural detail and specification.

2026 Outlook

Going into this milestone year, their future housing pipeline reflects the more deliberate buyer behavior. “Brookfield Residential approaches growth with a long-term perspective, prioritizing disciplined execution and market alignment ”said Shaia. Reflecting the importance of value, functionality and fit for lifestyle,their homes and communities communicate clarity of purpose and relevance more effectively. One notable shift for Brookfield Residential is the increased emphasis on wellness, comfort and healthy living. This is shaping design decisions around natural light, indoor air quality, material selections and energy conscious features. Yet instead of classifying these as upgrades, they are integrated into baseline design assumptions across markets. Another focus is on architectural character, with a stronger sense of place especially in competitive environments.  Taken together, these trends are shaping Brookfield Residential’s  pipeline that prioritizes clarity, comfort and long- term relevance. 

Photos courtesy of Brookfield Residential

By Sofia Feeney. She is the Editor at Builder and Developer and can be reached at sofia@builder.media. 

This story is featured in the February issue of Builder and Developer, read the print version here.