The Pines At Sunrise Village: 5 Critical Facts About Fullerton's Newest 164-Home Community And Its Controversial Past
The Pines at Sunrise Village in Fullerton, California, is one of the most anticipated residential projects in Orange County, representing a significant shift from commercial blight to a modern, high-density housing solution. As of late 2025, this 12.5-acre site is transitioning from the long-standing, distressed Sunrise Village Shopping Center into a vibrant, new master-planned community by Lennar, with a projected grand opening anticipated for September 2025.
The development is a critical case study in Southern California’s ongoing housing crisis, converting a former retail center into 164 new homes, a move that has generated both excitement among prospective homeowners and significant local controversy regarding the site's history and the displacement of former tenants. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at what future residents can expect and the complex history behind this major redevelopment.
The Pines at Sunrise Village: A Profile of the Fullerton Development
The Pines at Sunrise Village project is a substantial undertaking located at the southwest corner of Euclid Street and Rosecrans Avenue in Fullerton, CA.
- Location: Fullerton, Orange County, California.
- Former Site: Sunrise Village Shopping Center.
- Total Site Size: 12.5 Acres.
- Total Dwelling Units: 164 Homes.
- Developer (Original): Shopoff Realty Investments.
- Builder (Current): Lennar.
- Architectural Firm: JZMK Partners.
- Product Types: 49 Detached Single-Family Residences and 115 Attached Townhomes.
- Anticipated Grand Opening: September 2025.
The Housing Mix: Townhomes and Detached Residences
The community is structured to offer two distinct residential programs, catering to a diverse segment of the Orange County housing market. The 164 total homes are split into two main types.
The first program consists of 115 attached townhomes, which are designed as three-story units. These townhomes are expected to feature modern, open-concept layouts and special design features catering to a work-from-home (WFH) lifestyle, a key selling point in the post-pandemic era.
The second program includes 49 detached single-family residences. These homes are described as two-story, zero-lot-line homes, maximizing the use of the 12.5-acre site. The home sizes across both product types range from approximately 1,420 square feet up to 2,500 square feet, offering substantial living space for families and professionals.
Lifestyle and Community Amenities at The Pines
Lennar’s vision for The Pines at Sunrise Village focuses on creating a walkable, connected community that integrates with the surrounding natural and urban landscape of Fullerton.
The design emphasizes pedestrian connectivity, with a network of internal walkways leading to various pocket parks and open green spaces scattered throughout the development.
A major amenity is the direct access to nearby trail systems. This connectivity is a significant draw, linking residents to recreational opportunities and even providing a walkable route to Downtown Fullerton, known for its dining, entertainment, and historic architecture.
The inclusion of WFH-oriented designs in the floor plans reflects a modern understanding of residential needs, making the community particularly attractive to remote workers and those seeking a balance between suburban tranquility and urban access.
The Controversial Conversion of Sunrise Village
The project’s history is as critical to its identity as its future amenities. The development of The Pines at Sunrise Village required the controversial residential conversion of the former Sunrise Village shopping center, a distressed commercial site.
The City of Fullerton council majority voted to approve the conversion, arguing that the redevelopment of the underutilized retail space into much-needed housing was a positive step toward addressing state-level housing mandates and local housing challenges.
Community Opposition and Displacement
The conversion was not without significant community opposition. Local voices spoke out against the development, primarily concerned with the loss of the existing commercial space and the impact on local businesses.
A particularly sensitive aspect of the controversy involved the displacement of long-standing tenants, including two prominent Korean-owned businesses at the shopping center. Reports indicated that the developer faced criticism for its handling of the tenant relocations during the Planning Commission and City Council proceedings, adding a layer of community tension to the development process.
This history highlights The Pines at Sunrise Village as more than just a housing tract; it is a symbol of the complex trade-offs involved in urban redevelopment and the ongoing struggle between commercial preservation and the urgent need for new housing in Southern California.
Beyond Fullerton: The Pines in Puyallup, WA
While the Fullerton project dominates the current headlines, the name "The Pines at Sunrise" is also associated with another notable residential community, located across the country in the Pacific Northwest.
The Pines at Sunrise in Puyallup, Washington, is a community built by Century Communities. This development features an exceptional lineup of both ramblers (single-story homes) and two-story homes.
Like its California counterpart, the Puyallup community emphasizes modern, versatile open-concept layouts. A key feature of the Washington location is the availability of multi-generational living options on select floor plans, catering to families seeking flexible home arrangements.
This dual presence underscores the popularity of the "Pines at Sunrise" branding, often associated with new, master-planned communities that prioritize modern living, open spaces, and connectivity in high-demand real estate markets. Whether in Orange County or the greater Seattle area, both communities address the intense demand for new construction.
What Prospective Buyers Should Know
For those interested in the Fullerton development, the next critical phase is the release of the priority list registration, which is projected to occur just a few weeks prior to the anticipated September 2025 Grand Opening. Prospective buyers should closely monitor updates from Lennar to secure a position, as high demand is expected for the 49 single-family homes and 115 townhomes.
The blend of new construction, a desirable Fullerton location near major thoroughfares like Euclid Street, and proximity to cultural hubs like Downtown Fullerton makes The Pines at Sunrise Village a premier opportunity for Orange County real estate investment.
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