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ABOUT

OUR VALUES

AND WHAT DRIVES US

IntegrityPartnering with landowners, communities, and city officials, Nolen forms trusting and lasting relationships. Integrity is at the core of every Nolen relationship, with a steadfast vision to benefit the greater community.
SustainabilityEndeavoring to minimize the environmental impact of new development and maximize quality of life, Nolen envisions communities that utilize the latest technologies in sustainable design
PlacemakingRecognizing that great spaces make great places, Nolen strives to create unique experiences that encourage residents to get out and mingle
StewardshipAcknowledging that we are all stewards of limited resources, Nolen considers how each community can preserve its history while providing for tomorrow’s future
AgricultureUnderstanding that food brings people together, Nolen seeks opportunities to integrate agriculture and foster a local food system that improves the health and well-being of its communities
DesignWorking with experienced professionals purposefully selected to suit each project, Nolen is on the cutting edge of urban design by envisioning communities with timeless architecture, unique amenities, and an unrivaled sense of place and livability

OUR VISION

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY

We strive to create highly-amenitized, context-sensitive communities that embrace their surroundings and provide people with unique places to live, work, and play.

OUR NAME

Nolen Communities takes its name from one of the leading urban designers of the early twentieth century, John Nolen. Much of Nolen’s work focused on designing cities and communities on a more human, village-like scale. This was counter to the more popular urban form of the early 20th century, dominated by traditional urban and suburban development.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1869, John Nolen was orphaned as a child and placed in Girard College. After graduating first in his class in 1884, he worked as a grocery clerk and secretary to the Girard Estate Trust Fund before enrolling in the Wharton School of Finance and Economics. In 1903, Nolen sold his house to enroll in the newly-established Harvard School of Landscape Architecture, working under the famed instructor Frederick Law Olmsted. Shortly thereafter, Nolen wrote San Diego’s first city plan in 1908, which he later revised in 1926 after almost 20 years of work.

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OUR PARTNERS

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