Draft:Vineyards Porter Ranch

The Vineyards at Porter Ranch is a residential, retail and entertainment center located in Porter Ranch, CA. The Vineyards at Porter Ranch is owned by Shapell Liberty Investment Properties that have built most of Porter Ranch residential developments in prior decades. The Center is currently anchored by Nordstrom Rack and Whole foods. The Vineyards also has a 4,000 sqft community room that is open to use by the community. The Vineyards also includes a retail space of 345,000-square-foot plus a hotel and movie theatre as well as 355 apartment units.

History
Ever since the Porter Ranch town debuted in 1999, there has been plans of a village development with a proposed 235,000 sqft of retail and plans of the new village were proposed. First plans of a village development came into fruition with a proposed 2 million sqft of retail and entertainment. After the controversy surrounding the Porter Ranch town center that is anchored by Walmart, which has caused a backlash from the community against Shapell for the false promises of an upscale shopping center. There has been a talks of an expanded retail center since 1999, with Shapell investing 2 billion dollars into a retail hub in Porter Ranch. In 2010, the total space was reduced to be 400,000 sqft and 1,120 parking spaces. The current Vineyards plan was finally released in 2015. In 2017, the project broke ground with a newer date of full operation by 2020. The 2015 gas blowout of Porter Ranch, despite its media coverage and evacuation of families for months, has not deterred the exploding new housing construction and the construction of The Vineyards at Porter Ranch. While projected to open in 2020, the pandemic as well as a flurry of rainy seasons have pushed back the opening date. Despite the delayed opening dates, Nordstrom Rack and Whole Foods opened in 2019 as its first anchors. The new Whole Foods location moved from another Porter Ranch location to a new 44,000 sqft space on May 22 at 20209 W. Rinaldi St. The Porter Ranch development included for a hotel and medical offices. In January 2022, the newly planned Hampton Inn and Suites broke ground, projected to open in early 2024 On May 2nd 2023, Northmarq has secured a $35 million refinancing for The Vineyards at Porter Ranch on a 10-year, permanent-fixed loan has a 3-year amortization schedule. By 2024, The Vineyards has plans to open a Mendocino Farms Sandwich market in a new constructed section.

Sustainability
The 2015 Gas Blowout has caused Porter Ranch leaders to push for a greener development with the construction of The Vineyards Development. Los Angeles green building code was followed throughout the construction process, as well as restricting the emissions of the construction equipment and heavy machinery on site was required by the city. The project includes a variety of LED solar street lights scattered throughout, solar panels, electric vehicle chargers all throughout the center and water conservation landscaping was implement around the development. there are 20 electrical vehicle charging stations, clean air vehicle parking stalls and 110 bicycle storage lockers and racks. There are reflective roofing materials designed to reduce building heat absorption and a storm water-capture system that recycles water for irrigation purposes. Sixteen percent of the site’s expected electrical consumption is offset by photovoltaic solar systems, while 85 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills for reuse and a full 100 percent of the interior finishes have low levels of volatile organic compounds to reduce indoor air contamination.

Holiday Season
The Vineyards has an annual tree lighting ceremony that is attended by residents. The shopping center has a tree that is lit up with a countdown and sometimes has fake snow and music to accompany it. Tree lighting usually takes place in December.