Irvine's District 1

The City of Irvine was officially incorporated on December 28, 1971, and split into six different districts on March 5, 2024, as part of a transition to direct-based City Council elections. District 1 covers much of north Irvine and brings together areas such as Orchard Hills, West Irvine, Northpark, Stonegate, and parts of Northwood. The district is currently represented by Councilmember Melinda Liu, who entered office in November 2024. 

 

District 1 Land Background

The land that eventually became Irvine was originally granted in three major Spanish-Mexican land grants: Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Lomas de Santiago. Throughout the early 20th century, the northern part of this land that would later become District One was used as agricultural land. The area where Eastwood Village was built was home to Hines Nursery. The area that became Orchard Hills was and continues to be used to farm avocados. West Irvine contained the core of ranch operations with 24 original buildings dating back to 1897, as well as the 1876 ranch house that served as the Irvine family’s original residence. The area that became Northpark was originally made up of orange groves. Residential development in District One came much later, with Northpark being developed between 1999 and 2003, and Eastwood and Orchard Hills beginning development in 2016 and 201,4, respectively. In 2024, Irvine voters approved Measure D, which changed city council voting to district-based elections. Ultimately, the district map chosen to divide Irvine into the district-based elections was Map 151, a citizen-drawn map.

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District 1 in the Present

Today, District 1 remains a lively hub that offers a perfect blend of family-friendly shopping centers, open spaces, parks, and city landmarks. At the heart of the district lies the Irvine Market Place, a major retail destination that first opened in the late 1980s and now encompasses more than a hundred shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Beyond the Market Place, District 1 is also home to the beloved Katie Wheeler Library, along with the official headquarters of the Orange County Fire Authority. With over 3,500 acres of open space and a wide range of housing options, residents of District 1 are able to enjoy a high quality of life, with ample access to nature, recreation, and community spaces.