MONTEREY, CA—Walden Monterey, a private, eco-minded residential community on the Monterey Peninsula, was inspired by Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Designed as individual sanctuaries entrenched in nature (think The Sea Ranch in Sonoma County but on a larger scale), Walden Monterey's 22 estates each feature 20 acres of secluded land.

Signature Group Investments recently unveiled the first phase of home sites available for sale. Priced at $5 million, the individual properties offer a limited opportunity to build and reside in a 600-acre enclave overlooking Monterey Bay. However, there are two conditions: the removal of trees is restricted and the use of renewable energy is required.

Walden's philosophy is "living deliberately" within a sanctuary of nature, serenity and ultimately privacy and safety, truly allowing families to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with what matters most. Walden Monterey offers simple living in natural surroundings for buyers who are seeking a permanent lifestyle change due to the long-lasting effects of the novel coronavirus. With many societal shifts taking place as a result of the global pandemic from a re-evaluation of values and appreciation for outdoor spaces to changes in the workplace and new work-from-home mandates, the project comes at an opportune time for those seeking a new sense of safety and security.