20-Acre Estates in Monterey Offer the Ultimate Social Distancing

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.

“After purchasing the property and living on the untouched land surrounded by 200-year old trees, I quickly realized that it had a profound effect on me,” said developer Nick Jekogian, president and CEO of Signature Group Investments, who is currently living in a cabin while he builds his own home in Walden. “I wanted to share this experience and encourage others to let nature inspire them to find meaning and purpose. Never did I think the world would be where it is today but there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to live in Walden Monterey, a true contemporary expression of the philosophy of living in harmony with nature.”

Walden Monterey will feature its own solar power grid system and more than 200 acres of open space for socially distanced activities including a community-wide trail system with 15-minute quick loops or hours of solitude in nature. To reinforce the agrihood concept, amenities range from a Zen meditation garden to a communal herb garden and vineyard, a treehouse for kids and numerous gathering spots that safely promote human connection. A fellowship program will provide education on sustainability and the ecosystem, while Walden Gatherings will give residents and invited guests a platform to focus on making the world better for the next generation.

“The main reason this site is a great candidate for this concept is its appeal for buyers who want to live in nature,” Jekogian tells GlobeSt.com. “The property is situated on 600 acres that have not been touched since the Native Americans used the area over 300 years ago, with the exception of a little ranching.”

The development is located 80 miles from Silicon Valley and 100 miles from San Francisco, 3 miles from the Monterey Regional Airport, and a short drive to downtown Monterey and Carmel.

More than 20 of the most prominent firms in the space of contemporary and sustainable development have collaborated to create an innovative design vision for Walden Monterey. These firms include Luce et Studio, Feldman Architecture, MAD Design, Surface Landscape Architects, Axelrod Architects, Eric Miller Architects, SERA, Carmel Development Company, Lutsko Associates, Fougeron Architecture, Larson/Shores, Open Space Architecture, Rana Creek Design, Bone Structure and Hayward Healthy Homes. In order to develop the overall design vision for the project, these firms and thinkers have gathered on the land for active discussions about the design process and the future of living in harmony with nature. Each architect has designed a concept home that truly illustrates a contemporary approach to living in nature in Walden Monterey.

In addition to architects, environmental engineers, artists, wellness and mindfulness experts, landscape architects and sustainability specialists have collaborated on the project.

Every home site owner will be granted a glass structure designed for short stays, similar to Thoreau’s cabin 2.0, allowing future residents to fully experience the natural surroundings. It is intended to serve as a roving guest house once the project is completed. Until then, this unique movable structure will allow buyers to fully understand each property before commissioning and building a home, much like Jekogian did, and experience the connection to the land.

Private tours are available for the first five home sites with the remaining 17 lots debuting Spring 2021. Sales efforts are being led by Zak Freedman of Sotheby’s International Realty.

“It is an opportunity to live within one of that last well-located open nature spaces on the West Coast,” Jekogian says. “When the winds blew from the ocean they created clearings, so instead of removing trees like many development projects, Walden located the home lots on those open clearings providing optimal ocean views with the privacy of surrounding trees. There are 200 acres of open space that celebrate nature with a trail that leads to a private yoga/meditation platform to break and watch the sunrise.”