The Desert Sun’s Sherry Barkas writes that earlier today The Walt Disney Company unveiled a new line of business, Storyliving communities. The Storyliving communities will be infused with the company’s special brand of magic thanks to Disney Imagineers playing a key role in developing the creative concept for these communities. At each Storyliving by Disney community, Disney cast members trained in the company’s guest service standards will operate the community association. Through a club membership, Disney will also provide access to curated experiences, such as wellness programming, entertainment ranging from live performances to cooking classes, philanthropic endeavors, seminars and more.
The proposed Cotino community in Rancho Mirage located on Section 31, bounded by Bob Hope Drive to the west, Monterey Avenue to the east, Gerald Ford Drive to the north and Frank Sinatra Drive to the south, will be Disney’s first Storyliving community. Disney announced that the location was selected in part because of the personal connection Walt Disney had to the Coachella Valley. The name Cotino stems from cotinus, which means smoke tree. That in turn ties back to the days when Walt Disney owned homes at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs as a desert retreat from Los Angeles for himself and his wife, Lillian Disney.
A projected construction start date for Storyliving by Disney was not given, however major grading is projected to begin in a couple of weeks. According to plans filed with the City of Rancho Mirage, build is projected in 2040. According to DMB Development CEO Brad Herrington, Cotino will be developed for homeowners of all ages and will include at least one section expressly for residents 55 and older. Homebuyers will have a range of home types to choose from, including estates, single-family homes and condominiums. The companies did not release details on pricing. Under the Section 31 specific plan, Cotino will also offer a mixed-use district featuring a range of shopping, dining and entertainment, a beachfront hotel, and a professionally managed beach park with recreational water activities that can be accessed by the public through the purchase of a day pass.
To read Sherry Barkas’ original article, courtesy of The Desert Sun, please visit: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/rancho-mirage/2022/02/16/disney-storyliving-cotino-homes-building-rancho-mirage-club/6801192001/
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