Envisioned as a desert reprieve, Refuge has been thoughtfully planned to be a highly amenitized, interconnected, and walkable residential community.

Refuge Palm Desert

Situated south of Gerald Ford Drive, Refuge is an amenity-rich masterplan community programmed for a maximum of 700 attached and detached additive housing units. Refuge will transform a vacant lot into a vibrant residential community that is planned to incorporate expansive open space, recreational, and outdoor gathering spaces –  extending a resident’s living space beyond their doorstep and into the community. The first phase of the project, encompassing Planning Areas 3 and 4, has been acquired by Pulte Homes and will be known as Del Webb Explore.
Waypoint, Phase Two of the Refuge masterplan, is now in the preliminary entitlement stage with the City of Palm Desert. Designed as the next chapter in this vibrant community, Waypoint offers future residents an attainable and inspiring destination where exploration, connection, and desert living come together. We are excited to unveil Waypoint to the neighboring communities in the coming weeks.

332

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN DEL WEBB EXPLORE

302

MAX RESIDENTIAL UNITS ALLOWED IN PHASE 2

94.5

TOTAL ACRES
NEWS

Explore by Del Webb, the first phase of Refuge Palm Desert, is now selling!

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Thoughtfully planned walkable community

Designed around a recreational core, Refuge will provide residents with common area facilities such as a pool, spa, clubhouse, barbecues, shaded gathering areas, and sports courts. To create a positive community aesthetic around the project’s edge, and encourage an active lifestyle, a ±50-foot wide open space landscape buffer and walking trail will be provided along the east and south project boundaries. Additionally, linear paseos throughout the project will link the amenity core with the active landscape buffer and the residential neighborhoods, creating an engaging and robust pedestrian network.

CLUBHOUSE
SPORTS COURTS
SHADED GATHERING AREAS
WALKING TRAILS

Introducing

Phase Two

Explore Waypoint, the Next Phase of Refuge Palm Desert

Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club
GHA Montage
Phase 1 at Refuge Palm Desert. Now, Explore by Del Webb.
Waypoint, Phase 2 at Refuge Palm Desert
Phase 1 at Refuge Palm Desert
Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Palm Desert Greens Golf Course
Suncrest Golf Course
Desert Willow Golf Resort
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Rancho Mirage Country Club
Desert Island Golf & Country Club
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Dolce
GHA Montage
University Park
El Paseo Shopping District
The River at Rancho Mirage
Cotino, A Storyliving by Disney Community
Phase 2 at Refuge Palm Desert

For general inquiries regarding Waypoint, Phase 2 at Refuge Palm Desert, please contact us using the link below.

CONTACT

DIRECTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Refuge project located?

The Refuge project is generally located south of Gerald Ford Drive and West of Portola Road in the City of Palm Desert, CA. The project will be accessed from the south by the extension of Rembrandt Parkway from Gerald Ford Drive, and from the west by the extension of Julie Drive from Portola Road.

What is currently under construction at Refuge Palm Desert?

Pulte Homes has acquired the first phase of the project, encompassing Planning Areas 3 and 4, and it is currently under construction. The community is now called Del Webb Explore. More information will be available at delwebb.com.

Will the landscape buffer and walking trails still be part of the plan?

Yes. The landscape buffer along the eastern and southern boundaries of the project will remain as part of the revised Tentative Tract Map. The revised plan will feature an equally robust network of walking trails that will provide connectivity throughout the site.

Is the project aligned with the City of Palm Desert's housing goals?

Refuge aligns with the visions,  goals, and policies outlined in the City of Palm Desert’s General Plan, which was adopted in November of 2016, and its Housing Element, which was updated and adopted in March of 2022.
Waypoint has been designed to adhere to both the City of Palm Desert’s Housing Goals and the Refuge Specific Plan. To that end, the Refuge Specific Plan allows up to 302 units of residential housing in this planning area. With that said, Waypoint is envisioned as a lower-density single-family detached community, comprising approximately 160 homes.

Does the project propose any additional affordable housing?

No. The Refuge approval would specifically limit affordable housing at the project site to the already approved Vitalia affordable housing development; ensuring that no additional affordable housing units above the approved 269 units can be built.

Will the project meet water efficiency standards?

The planting and irrigation design will meet Coachella Valley Water District standards and the State of California Model Efficient Water Ordinance. 75% of the plants will be designated as low-water plants. Plus, drip irrigation shall be provided for all shrub planting controlled by smart weather-based equipment installed with rain sensors. 

How is Refuge addressing traffic and transportation?

Refuge has conducted a full traffic study analyzing the traffic impacts to the local community. Additionally, Refuge will invest millions of dollars to improve local traffic flow at the outset of the project buildout.
Future improvements include the extension of Julie Drive and Rembrandt Parkway, and a traffic signal at the intersection of Gerald Ford Drive and Rembrandt Parkway. It should be noted that development intensities outlined in the City’s General Plan provide for over 4,250 residential dwelling units at the project site. Refuge Palm Desert has been designed for fewer than 1,000 dwellings units, resulting in significantly less traffic than would otherwise be generated.

What schools will the children in Refuge attend?

Children residing in Refuge will attend schools within the Palm Springs Unified School District.