Where new homes are being built in Whittier
Whittier is almost fully built out, so new homes arrive in small infill projects rather than large tracts. The city's 2021-2029 Housing Element counted 29,721 homes in 2020 and only 130 more than in 2010. Its state housing target for 2021-2029 is 3,439 new homes, and the General Plan update projects about 472 single-family and 7,023 multifamily homes by 2040, mostly along Whittier Boulevard, in Uptown and in new mixed-use districts.
In practice that means three kinds of new home: three-story townhomes on former office and commercial lots near Uptown, small detached-condo projects on single lots, and a few homes or ADUs on individual parcels. The one large planned community is the Lincoln Specific Plan on the former Nelles site. The city exempted several of the small projects from full environmental review as infill development.
New home communities in Whittier
Prices below are from the builders' own pages when checked in October 2026. Builders change prices and incentives often, so confirm before you visit.
Elara by Melia Homes (Uptown, 90601)
Elara is 24 three-story townhomes at 12826 Philadelphia Street, with the sales office at 12919 Philadelphia Street. Six plans run from 1,284 to 2,219 square feet with two to four bedrooms and two-car attached garages. Listed prices were $719,900 (Plan 3), $759,900 (Plan 1), $809,900 (Plan 2), $829,900 (Plan 4), $1,024,900 (Plan 6) and $1,144,900 (Plan 5, with a rooftop deck). Three homes were listed as under construction for quick move-in. Features listed include quartz counters, induction ranges and fire sprinklers.
Uptown Walk by The Olson Company (Painter Avenue, 90602)
Uptown Walk is a gated community of 40 Spanish-style townhomes at 7354 Painter Avenue, about 1,208 to 1,638 square feet with two or three bedrooms and some live/work plans. The builder listed prices from the high $600,000s to the low $800,000s and advertised rate buydowns and down payment help on select homes. The city cleared the 40-unit, three-story project in February 2025 on a 1.43-acre office-zoned site at Painter Avenue and Mar Vista Street.
Comstock Place (Philadelphia Street and Comstock Avenue, 90601)
The city approved Comstock Place in late 2024 and early 2025: 24 townhome condominiums in two three-story buildings on 0.826 acres in Uptown, replacing a vacant medical office building. Each home has a two-car garage. The location and count match Elara's site on Philadelphia Street; ask the builder to confirm they are the same project.
The Lincoln Specific Plan on the former Nelles site (Whittier Boulevard)
The former Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility at 11850 Whittier Boulevard is the city's largest new community. The Housing Element describes a 75.6-acre site planned for 750 homes, about 140,000 square feet of shops and 4.6 acres of open space, and the City Council approved the home styles and site plan in January 2017. Historic buildings on the site are being reused. Ask the city or a local agent whether any new homes remain unsold, and check resale listings too.
Citrange by Brandywine Homes (Floral Drive, 90601)
Approved in 2021, this project splits the Trinity Lutheran campus at 11716 Floral Drive near Beverly Boulevard, using 2.56 acres for 25 detached single-family homes held as condominiums. Ask Brandywine Homes whether any homes remain unsold.
Villas of Friendly Hills (Whittier Boulevard and La Serna Drive, 90605)
Approved in July 2022, this is 41 three-story attached condominiums on a vacant 1.84-acre lot in the Whittier Boulevard shopping district. We could not find a builder sales page, so ask the city's planning division about its status.
Florence Homes (Greenleaf Avenue)
Approved in January 2022, Florence Homes is 17 detached two-story homes on a 1.23-acre condominium lot at 8315 to 8335 Greenleaf Avenue. Status is unconfirmed; check with the planning division.
Whittwood Town Center (Whittier Boulevard and Santa Gertrudes Avenue, 90603)
A 2022 plan amendment proposes up to 1,200 new homes at the Whittwood shopping center, while cutting retail space from 900,000 to 600,000 square feet and keeping the 114 existing homes. This is a long-term plan, not homes you can buy now.
New townhouse condos in unincorporated Whittier (90605)
Los Angeles County is processing two townhouse-condominium maps with Whittier addresses, both filed in October 2026: 46 units at Rainier Avenue and Painter Avenue, and 25 units at Fidel Avenue and Beaty Avenue. Both use a 35% density bonus in exchange for affordable units.
Whittier new home communities compared
| Community | Homes | Type | Status (October 2026) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara (Melia Homes) | 24 | 3-story townhomes | Selling | $719,900 to $1,144,900 |
| Uptown Walk (Olson) | 40 | Gated townhomes | Selling | High $600Ks to low $800Ks |
| Lincoln Specific Plan (Nelles site) | 750 planned | Mixed homes and shops | Approved 2017; mostly resale | Check listings |
| Citrange (Brandywine) | 25 | Detached condos | Approved 2021 | Ask builder |
| Villas of Friendly Hills | 41 | Attached condos | Approved 2022 | Not published |
| Florence Homes | 17 | Detached condos | Approved 2022 | Not published |
| Whittwood Town Center | Up to 1,200 | Mixed use | Proposed 2022 | Not applicable |
| Rainier Ave. and Fidel Ave. (county) | 46 and 25 | Townhouse condos | Filed October 2026 | Not published |
Mello-Roos and HOA dues on new Whittier homes
Almost every new home in Whittier is part of an HOA, because the townhome and detached-condo projects are built on single condominium lots. Neither Elara nor Uptown Walk published dues on its builder page in October 2026. Ask for the HOA budget and the state public report, since early dues are set before the association has a track record.
Mello-Roos districts are common in large new communities elsewhere in California. Ask the builder in writing whether a home is in any community facilities district or special assessment, and check the tax bill's direct charges. Our Mello-Roos guide explains how to read them, and the Los Angeles County property tax guide shows how a new home's first bill and supplemental bill are set.
New vs resale in Whittier: what the numbers show
New townhomes are not a discount option here. Elara's plans start at $719,900 for 1,331 square feet, about $541 per square foot. Redfin's resale townhouse medians in Whittier ZIPs ran from $640,001 to $745,001 in the three months to September 2026, and the median price per square foot for all Whittier homes was $565. Zillow's typical Whittier home value, mostly older single-family houses, was $815,136 in September 2026.
What a new home buys you is a newer building: current energy code, fire sprinklers, modern wiring and plumbing, and fewer near-term repairs. What a resale buys you is usually land: the Census Bureau puts the median Whittier home's construction year at 1956, and many of those houses sit on their own lots. Price the monthly cost of both, including HOA dues, before you decide.
Inspections and warranties on new Whittier homes
Hire your own inspector for a new home, ideally once before drywall and again before closing. Builders' own checks focus on code, not workmanship. Ask the builder for its written limited warranty and its process for defect claims, and read both before you sign. For a three-story townhome, ask about waterproofing of decks and roof decks, since those are the elements that later fall under the state's balcony inspection rules. Our balcony inspection law guide covers what associations must check.
Whittier sits near the Whittier Fault, which the Southern California Earthquake Data Center describes as about 40 km long and capable of magnitude 6.0 to 7.2 earthquakes. New homes are built to current seismic code, but you should still look up the address on the state's EQ Zapp map and price earthquake cover.
Buying a new Whittier home with your own agent
A builder's sales agent works for the builder. If you want representation, many builders require your agent to register you on your first visit, so bring the agent or check the builder's policy first. Your agent can compare the builder's price with recent resale sales, review the purchase contract and HOA documents, and negotiate upgrades or closing-cost credits. For the wider market, see our Whittier homes for sale guide and the Whittier condos guide.