Community Intelligence
Future Development in Santa Clarita Valley
The definitive guide to every major project reshaping the SCV — from 21,000+ new homes and billion-dollar interchange rebuilds to trail networks, transit upgrades, and a reimagined Valencia Town Centre.
Published July 11, 2026 · by Sam Silver
The Big Picture
Santa Clarita Valley is in the middle of its most significant growth phase in decades. Over 21,500 new homes are planned at Valencia by FivePoint. The I-5/SR-14 interchange — the valley's most notorious bottleneck — is undergoing a $1.6 billion reconstruction. Metrolink is doubling train frequency to SCV. Valencia Town Centre is getting 175,000+ square feet of new retail and entertainment. The City is adding parks, trails, and open space faster than at any point in its history. If you own property here, plan to buy here, or just want to know what's next — this is the guide.
1
Valencia by FivePoint (Newhall Ranch)
The single largest development in Santa Clarita Valley history is well underway. Valencia by FivePoint — formerly known as Newhall Ranch — spans roughly 15,000 acres west of Interstate 5 and south of Highway 126. It's planned for more than 21,500 new homes, millions of square feet of commercial space, parks, schools, and open space. Buildout will continue over the next 15–20 years, making it a multi-generational transformation of the western SCV.
As of mid-2026, builders including Lennar and Landsea Homes have picked up approximately 3,100 homesites and sold nearly 1,800 homes. In October 2025, Los Angeles County Planning recommended approval for an additional 1,500-home development within the project area. This is not a future concept — homes are selling and families are moving in right now.
The Villages
The community is divided into multiple villages, each with its own character, housing mix, and timeline:
Confluence Village
The first village to break ground (2017). Parks, trails, and a mix of single-family homes and townhomes along the Santa Clara River.
Homestead South
Planned for 3,600+ new homes with two public parks totaling 10+ acres, plus reserved sites for future elementary, middle, and high schools.
Landmark Village
A mid-range village within the Newhall Ranch Specific Plan, offering a mix of housing types and access to community open space.
Mission Village
Now known as Confluence Village — the initial phase of the development, establishing the community's identity and infrastructure.
Potrero Valley
Approximately 1,164 single-family homes and 3,190 condos planned — one of the highest-density villages in the master plan.
Entrada North & South
From the original Valencia Master Plan. Entrada South includes up to 730,000 sq ft of retail, office, hotel, and business park uses.
What it means for housing supply: With 21,500+ homes on the horizon, Valencia by FivePoint will fundamentally change the supply dynamics of the Santa Clarita Valley. For buyers, it means more options — new construction, modern energy-efficient designs, and communities built around parks and trails. For existing homeowners, it means a larger tax base, more schools, and improved infrastructure. The valley is growing, and FivePoint is the engine driving much of that growth.
"I've been watching Newhall Ranch go through approvals for over a decade. Now it's real — families are living there, kids are going to school, and the commercial pieces are starting to take shape. This is the future of Santa Clarita, and it's happening right now."
2
I-5 / SR-14 Interchange Improvement Project
If you've sat in traffic at the I-5 and SR-14 merge — and who in SCV hasn't — relief is on the way. The I-5 North County Enhancements Project, managed by LA Metro and Caltrans, is a $1.6 billion reconstruction of one of Southern California's most congested highway segments.
Construction began in fall 2021, and the project is divided into multiple stages. Stage 1 — including median construction, HOV lanes, and sound walls — is expected to continue through winter 2025. Stage 2 — auxiliary lanes, ramps, and additional HOV capacity — is in progress, with new HOV lanes anticipated to open in winter 2026.
The full scope includes 14 miles of HOV lanes in each direction along I-5 from the SR-14 interchange south to Parker Road in Castaic. Substantial completion is projected for mid-2026, with final completion in early 2027.
$1.6B
Project Cost
14 mi
HOV Lanes Each Direction
~2027
Final Completion
2021
Construction Began
For daily commuters, this project is transformative. The I-5/SR-14 merge has been the valley's worst traffic bottleneck for decades — and with SCV's population projected to grow by tens of thousands in the coming years, the timing couldn't be better. Improved HOV lanes, better merge design, and added capacity will make the drive to and from Los Angeles significantly more manageable.
3
Transit & Metro Connectivity
Santa Clarita Valley's transit future is getting a major upgrade. The Metrolink Antelope Valley Line (AVL) Improvements Project — a $220 million+ investment by LA Metro and Metrolink — aims to double weekday train service from 15 to 30 trains by 2030, with a target of 30-minute bi-directional service between LA Union Station and Santa Clarita.
That means reducing wait times by up to 80% — instead of waiting an hour for a train, you'll have half-hourly service to Santa Clarita and hourly service to Lancaster. The project is funded by $107 million in state Intercity Rail Capital Program funds, with construction underway on key components including the Canyon Siding Extension Project (extending track near Santa Clarita Station) and the Balboa Double Track Project.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority's Draft 2026 Business Plan also mentions investing in the Antelope Valley Line for potential future upgrades and electrification. While no new Metro rail lines to SCV are planned in the near term, the frequency improvements to existing Metrolink service represent the most significant transit investment in the valley's history.
For SCV residents who commute to downtown LA, Burbank, or the San Fernando Valley, this is a game-changer. More trains, shorter wait times, and improved reliability make transit a real alternative to the I-5 commute.
4
Valencia Town Centre Redevelopment
The heart of Valencia is getting a makeover. Valencia Town Centre — the SCV's primary shopping and dining destination — was acquired by Centennial Real Estate in September 2023 for $199 million. In April 2026, Centennial announced plans to add more than 175,000 square feet of new dining, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations, with ten new openings planned in phases through 2026 and 2027.
Already making headlines: Round1 Bowling & Arcade is taking over the former Sears site with a 125,000-square-foot entertainment complex. New dining options are filling in around the mall, and the overall vision is to transform the center into a modern mixed-use destination.
Looking further ahead, the City of Santa Clarita's specific plan for the area "strongly encourages" the developer to include up to 2,200 homes (with 440 affordable units) alongside the retail. Earlier discussions have included potential plans for a Costco, a hotel, and a 1,500-space parking structure. Official redevelopment plans are still being refined, but the direction is clear: Valencia Town Centre is evolving from a traditional mall into a walkable, mixed-use urban center.
What's Coming to Valencia Town Centre
5
Commercial & Retail Expansion
Santa Clarita Valley isn't just growing residentially — the commercial and industrial pipeline is massive. As of early 2026, the SCV has approximately 18 million square feet in its commercial and industrial development pipeline, with 5.8 million square feet already approved and another 11.6 million awaiting approval.
Key projects include:
Valencia Commerce Center
A major component of FivePoint's master plan, featuring approximately 3.4 million square feet of office, light industrial, and retail space on the west side of the valley.
Santa Clarita Commerce Center
A 22.3-acre Class A industrial business park with four buildings totaling 430,000+ square feet. Construction completed in early 2025.
Entrada South Commercial
Up to 730,000 square feet of retail, office, hotel, and business park uses planned north of Magic Mountain Parkway.
SCV Employment Growth
The SCVEDC supported the retention or expansion of 896 jobs in 2025. Companies like DrinkPAK secured their eighth SCV facility. Unemployment sits at 4.8% — effectively full employment.
Major employers continue to anchor the valley's economy — Sunkist, Logix Federal Credit Union, Boston Scientific, and the aerospace and defense cluster are all growing. The SCV's unemployment rate of 4.8% as of December 2025 is considered full employment, and the economic development pipeline suggests that trend will continue.
6
Schools & Infrastructure
A growing population needs growing infrastructure — and Santa Clarita is investing. Three major school districts serve the valley: the Newhall School District, the Saugus Union School District, and the William S. Hart Union High School District. Each is planning for the students that new development will bring.
The William S. Hart Union High School District received $70 million in state funding from Proposition 51 for capital projects — modernization, safety improvements, and capacity expansion. The Saugus Union School District has been investing through Measure EE ($148 million for renovations and modernization), with ongoing construction across multiple campuses.
Within the Valencia by FivePoint development, sites are reserved for future elementary, middle, and high schools in villages like Homestead South. The Newhall and Saugus Union School Districts will serve these new communities, and planning is well underway to ensure facilities are ready as families move in.
On the water infrastructure side, the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is executing major projects including the LARC Pipeline Project — main pipeline installation along with fire hydrant and meter service line connections — along with ongoing water main and pavement improvements across the valley. These investments ensure that the valley's water supply keeps pace with residential and commercial growth.
$70M
Hart District State Funding
$148M
Saugus District Measure EE
3
School Districts Planning Growth
7
Healthcare Expansion
Healthcare capacity is growing alongside the population. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital — the valley's primary medical center — has been on an expansion trajectory. A major patient tower project is underway with technology services being deployed for the new facility. The hospital's 15-year master plan, approved by the Planning Commission, includes a second inpatient tower and expanded diagnostics facility.
In April 2026, Henry Mayo announced a partnership with AFC Urgent Care Centers to expand access to care across the valley — a sign that the hospital system is proactively meeting demand rather than waiting for capacity issues to arise.
On the community health center front, the Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) is expanding its Santa Clarita Health Center in 2025, increasing both space and available services. For residents — especially those in the growing western SCV communities — more local healthcare options mean fewer trips over the hill for medical care.
8
Trails & Open Space Projects
Santa Clarita is already known for its outdoor lifestyle — 13,000+ acres of dedicated open space and 100 miles of interconnecting trails — and the City is adding to that network faster than ever. The 2025–26 capital improvement program totals $81.5 million, with significant portions dedicated to parks, trails, and open space.
Via Princessa Park
$34.5MA $34.5 million, 34-acre park development in the 2025–26 capital plan — one of the largest park projects in city history.
David March Park Expansion
$8MAn 8-acre, $8 million expansion with a new baseball field, basketball court, picnic areas, and more. Expected to reopen in early 2026.
Santa Clara River Bridge
Summer 2026A new bridge over the Santa Clara River connecting Mitchell Drive/Vista Canyon Boulevard to Soledad Canyon Road, with a bike trail connection. Expected completion: summer 2026.
Beale's Cut Open Space
670 Acres670 acres added to the open space district in October 2025, including the historic Beale's Cut passage. Funded in part by a $1.4M Measure A grant.
Railroad Avenue Bike Trail
$1.5MA $1.5 million Class I bike trail along Railroad Avenue, part of the city's commitment to connected, car-free recreation.
Old Orchard Park Renovations
RenovatedNew playground equipment and a pickleball court — part of the city's neighborhood park improvement program.
The City's philosophy is clear: growth and green space go hand in hand. As thousands of new homes come online at FivePoint and throughout the valley, the trail and park network is expanding to ensure residents always have access to the outdoor lifestyle that makes SCV special.
City of Santa Clarita Planning & Trail Development
This video covers the City of Santa Clarita's planning initiatives, trail development details, and capital improvement projects shaping the valley's future.
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What This Means for Homebuyers & Homeowners
All of this development adds up to one thing: Santa Clarita Valley is becoming a more valuable, more connected, and more livable place to own a home. Here's what it means for you, depending on where you are in your real estate journey.
For Homeowners
- Property values stand to benefit from billions in infrastructure investment. New schools, parks, trails, and transit improvements all make SCV more desirable — and that supports long-term appreciation.
- The I-5/SR-14 interchange rebuild will make daily commutes noticeably easier. Better transportation infrastructure is one of the strongest drivers of property value growth.
- New commercial development means more local jobs, more dining and entertainment options, and a more self-sufficient valley. Less reason to drive over the hill for everyday needs.
- FivePoint's 21,500-home plan will increase housing supply, which moderates price spikes — but it also brings a larger tax base and more community investment. The net effect is a healthier, more sustainable market.
- Trail and park expansion keeps SCV's outdoor lifestyle intact even as the population grows. That quality of life is what makes this valley special — and it's being protected.
For Buyers
- New construction options at Valencia by FivePoint mean you can buy a brand-new, energy-efficient home with modern layouts and community amenities — something that's rare in established SCV neighborhoods.
- More housing supply gives you more choices and more negotiating power. The days of bidding wars on every listing are behind us — use that leverage.
- Buying in a developing area like FivePoint or near the Town Centre redevelopment means you're getting in early. As infrastructure, retail, and community amenities come online, early buyers benefit most.
- Transit improvements make SCV more viable for LA commuters. If you work in downtown LA or Burbank, the doubled Metrolink service could make SCV your best commute option.
- The valley's growth trajectory is clear and backed by billions in public and private investment. For long-term real estate investment, few Southern California markets offer this combination of value, growth, and quality of life.
The Valley Is Growing. Let's Position You to Take Advantage.
Whether you're buying your first home, investing in new construction, or selling a property that's about to be surrounded by billions in new development — you need a local expert who understands every piece of this puzzle. Sam Silver has been tracking these projects for years and knows exactly how they impact property values across every SCV neighborhood.
Thinking about buying or selling in Santa Clarita? The valley is growing — let's make sure you're positioned to take advantage.
Contact Sam Silver, REALTOR® with Equity Union Real Estate, CalDRE #01412755.
Explore SCV Neighborhoods
Every neighborhood in Santa Clarita is affected by these developments differently. Explore the guides to see how each community fits into the valley's future.
This article is based on publicly available development plans, government records, news reporting, and industry sources as of July 2026. Development timelines, project scopes, and costs are subject to change. All information on this site is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker. For a personalized consultation, contact Sam Silver.