Northpark & Northpark Square: Two Irvine Villages Worth Knowing

By Jeff Wermuth | Wizard of OC Realtor
REEL TOURS — Irvine Villages #11 & #12

Similar names, different personalities! Northpark and Northpark Square offer two examples of Irvine’s village planning, bringing homes, parks, recreation and nearby shopping together.

Northpark: Connected by Design

Developed between 1999 and 2003, Northpark features a guard-gated residential community with single-family homes, condominiums and townhomes. Its distinctive design connects many cul-de-sacs to neighboring streets and parks through pedestrian pathways. That means a dead-end street doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your walk!

Residents enjoy community pools, tennis courts, basketball facilities, playgrounds and a clubhouse. Preserved eucalyptus windrows and landscaped paseos help give the village its established character.

Northpark Square: Its Own Identity

Nearby Northpark Square offers a mix of houses and condominiums, with architecture influenced by California and European traditions. It occupies approximately 155 acres between Irvine Boulevard, Culver Drive, Bryan Avenue and the 261 Toll Road.

Unlike Northpark’s gated residential core, Northpark Square is partially gated, with Bella Rosa forming a gated neighborhood within the village. Community amenities include a junior Olympic-size pool, basketball court, playgrounds and an amphitheater. Nearby trail connections include Venta Spur and the Mountains to Sea Trail.

Housing Mix and Everyday Convenience

A housing mix and “mixed use” mean different things. Both communities offer different home types. Northpark’s broader village plan also incorporates apartments and retail along major roads, while Northpark Square is primarily residential, with shopping and dining nearby.

Northpark Plaza and The Market Place provide convenient options for errands, restaurants and everyday services.

The Realtor RealTalk

Choosing between these villages comes down to the individual home, its location and the amenities you value. Compare HOA dues, any additional association fees, property taxes and school assignments for the specific address.

Follow my REEL TOURS series as we explore Irvine’s villages—one neighborhood at