PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 17, 2006) – Today’s urban soul seeks classic design for a lasting partnership to promote art as the universal language of life’s style. Only those with true passion need apply!

As the curtain rises on the one-of-a-kind residential enclave of Escena Palm Springs, the stage is set to bring the art of life’s style home in a new and exciting eclectic fashion. The just-unveiled renderings for homes in Escena Palm Spring’s first eagerly anticipated phase are breathtakingly bold, perfectly private, and perhaps a little daring -- but that’s exactly what the design doctor ordered to recapture the mystique of the town that put desert resort living on the map. Visit www.EscenaPalmsSprings.com for your sneak peek today.

No longer content to be upstaged by surrounding towns that offer a “been there/done that” similarity in their new-home selection, Palm Springs is reinventing itself as a mecca for the arts, culture, design, and a haven for suburban escapees.

Escena Palm Springs is on the forefront of the city’s residential revival as the first gated, golf-oriented residential retreat to be built in Palm Springs in 20 years. This union of mid-20th century aesthetics and 21st century lifestyle innovation will be built around the recently opened Escena Golf Club, an 18-hole public Nicklaus Design course that’s managed by Troon Golf. As surely as the legendary Nicklaus brought true artistry to the links as a player, his design team’s par-72 course will contribute to the art of life’s style at Escena Palm Springs.

“Escena Palm Springs is a masterpiece in the making,” said Holly McKie, vice president of marketing for Lennar, which is developing Escena Palm Spring in partnership with The Empire Companies. “Prospective homebuyers are now able to view the community’s dazzling floorplans and renderings and be among the first to own a home by registering their enclave interest at www.EscenaPalmSprings.com.”

According to McKie, the renderings showcase Escena’s authentic interpretations of Spanish Colonial and Mid-Century Modern architecture in two distinctly different yet complementary series of homes. The two styles will mix and mingle in a vibrant streetscape, enriched by the careful execution of garden walls, articulation of entry gates and diversity of garage treatments.

Inspired by the Spanish Revival Movement first seen in Palm Springs in the 1920s and 1930s, the Spanish Series will include homes designed with Spanish Colonial, Spanish Monterey and Spanish Hacienda architecture.

By contrast, Escena Palm Springs’ Modern Series revisits the Mid-Century Contemporary, Modernistic and International styling that graces Palm Springs residences built between the 1940s and 1960s.

Lennar will build Escena’s first four Modern Series enclaves, each with a selection of detached homes. The two golf-oriented enclaves will include the following:

§ Circa, a golf-oriented enclave of mid-century modern homes, Circa embraces the best of the past and what will be. A courtyard or patio. An office or casita. A den or loft. You decide. Grand living and dining areas. Gourmet kitchens. And fairway views of the Escena Golf Club. Approximately 1,974 to 2,816 square feet. Preliminary pricing from the $600,000’s and

§ Avant, sweeping views of the Nicklaus Design course at Escena. An eclectic mix of architecturally-distinct homes, Avant is an enclave at the forefront of contemporary design. A one- or two-story home. A den or loft. Expansive glass doors to rear patios. Intuitive to your needs, homes include tech centers. A wet bar. Avant-garde living indeed. Approximately 2,319 to 2,846 square feet. Preliminary pricing from the $700,000’s.

Lennar’s two courtyard-oriented enclaves will include:

§ Motif, capturing the spirit of desert living, freeing residents to live in the moment. Both private and inviting. Gracious courtyards. Spacious lofts. Form meets function meets fabulous. Approximately 2,230 to 2,982 square feet. Preliminary pricing from the $600,000’s, and

§ Skylar, thoroughly modern and completely beautiful. Gracious and gorgeous. Spacious and pristine. Expansive courtyards. Ample living space. Well-planned interiors. Everything has been thought of. Sophisticated. Luxurious. Brilliant. Approximately 2,609 to 3,588 square feet. Preliminary pricing from the $700,000’s.

Standard Pacific Homes will design and build the initial Spanish Series enclave at Escena as follows:

§ Alcala, a reflection of refined tastes and inspired Spanish architecture. Two-story homes overlooking the fairways of Escena’s Golf Club. Privacy and space. Elegant courtyards. Grand interior social spaces. Approximately 3,578 to 3,824 square feet. Preliminary pricing from the low $900,000’s.

The art of life’s style will be a part of every Escena Palm Springs residence, providing exceptional livability in unique environments that blend interior and exterior spaces into a tapestry of lifestyle elegance. Outdoor amenities such as sheltered courtyards and patios, optional pools and expansive glass doors are slated to be featured throughout the various enclaves.

“Year-round desert living has never been more appealing than it will be at Escena Palm Springs, a community dedicated to urban and truly urbane living,” said McKie. “Not only will Escena’s residential enclaves exhibit the Spanish Revival and Modern architecture that has prompted the purchase and costly renovation of many of the city’s older homes in recent years, but the community’s ‘happening’ location is only moments from the heart of Palm Springs’ resurging cultural scene.”

The Escena Golf Club is planned to feature a Mid-Century Modern-style clubhouse with a restaurant, a large terrace lounge and a golf shop.

Pre-sales for the first residential enclaves of Escena Palm Springs are expected to begin this year.

Set against the majestic backdrop of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, Escena Palm Springs is taking shape adjacent to Gene Autry Trail, north of Ramon Road and south of Vista Chino.

Pre-sales for the first residential enclaves of Escena Palm Springs will begin June 2006. Deadline for VIP enclave registration is May 30, 2006. Be one of the first homeowners at Escena Palm Springs, register your interest at www.EscenaPalmSprings.com.

Contact: Diane Gaynor
(858) 947-2700