Silverwood named Master‑Planned Community of the Year; GM John Ohanian honored as Industry Leader at SoCal MAME Awards
Silverwood in Hesperia, California, was named “Master‑Planned Community of the Year” at the 2025 SoCal MAME Awards, while General Manager John Ohanian was honored as “Industry Leader of the Year” for the development’s community‑focused vision.
Key takeaways
- Award recognition: Silverwood won Master‑Planned Community of the Year; GM John Ohanian received Industry Leader of the Year at the 2025 SoCal MAME Awards (coverage: Dwell).
- Project scale: The 9,366‑acre master plan is entitled for more than 15,000 homes, about 700,000 sq ft of retail/commercial space, and roughly 4,900 acres of preserved open space (developer materials: DMB Development; Silverwood official site).
- Community culture: Developers emphasize a formal “kindness pledge” for buyers and broad outreach to schools, safety agencies and faith leaders to shape neighborhood civility (reported by Dwell).
Awards and recognition
Silverwood, a 9,366‑acre master‑planned community in the Mojave River Valley, was honored at the 2025 SoCal MAME Awards. The honors were presented at the 2025 MAME Gala by the Greater Sales & Marketing Council and the Building Industry Association of Southern California (coverage: Dwell).
“It is an incredible honor to have Silverwood recognized by the building community in southern California,” said John Ohanian. “Bringing Silverwood to life has been the culminating project of my career, and now that we have residents moved in and living out the kindness culture on a daily basis, it is gratifying to see our intentions in action.”
Community vision and culture
Developed by DMB Development, Silverwood is positioned as more than a collection of homes. The plan centers on a formal culture of kindness: homebuyers receive a written kindness pledge when they sign association documents, intended to encourage neighborly help and civility. Local partners invited to join the initiative include schools, law enforcement, fire services, parks and recreation, city departments and faith leaders (reporting: Dwell).
Development scale and scope
At more than 9,000 acres, Silverwood ranks among the largest recent community projects in Southern California. Key entitlements and commitments from developer materials:
- Homes: Entitled for more than 15,000 homes.
- Retail/commercial: Approximately 700,000 square feet.
- Open space: Roughly 4,900 acres preserved.
- Investment: Program expected to invest more than $1.6 billion across ~25 years; rollout projected over 15–20 years with Phase 1 delivering 2,000+ homes (DMB Development; Silverwood official site; Dwell).
Housing options and model homes
Builders offer 25 home plans designed to create varied streetscapes. Floor plans range from about 1,550 to 3,500 sq ft, and design features aim to support multigenerational living:
- RV and toy parking, rear‑yard casitas, multigenerational layouts.
- Front porches and bold exterior color options.
- An age‑restricted area planned with ~3,000 55+ units and executive homes on larger lots.
- Models & availability: 21 model homes from five builders are open for tours; limited move‑in ready homes available now. Pricing starts in the $400,000s (sources: Dwell; Silverwood official site).
Amenities, trails and open space
Designers emphasize a small‑town California feel with walkable neighborhoods and robust outdoor amenities. The plan calls for:
- 59 miles of off‑street trails.
- 107 miles of paths and paseos.
- 387 acres of parks.
- Village greens with amphitheaters or stages for concerts and community events; trailheads and pocket parks intended to be within a five‑minute walk of every home (DMB Development; Dwell).
Schools, safety and planned services
The master plan reserves sites for five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, plus space for sports fields and recreation. Public safety and services already include Silverwood’s first fire station; builders and developers anticipate grocery‑anchored retail and more commercial centers as the phased build‑out proceeds (developer video; developer video; Dwell).
Location, commute and geography
Silverwood sits near Silverwood Lake at roughly 3,200 feet elevation on rolling hills, bluffs, canyons and pasture along the Mojave River headlands. Nearby mountain destinations such as Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are within driving distance. Developers point to reasonable commutes to job centers like San Bernardino, Riverside and Ontario (DMB Development; Dwell).
Current status and early residents
Several families have moved into the earliest neighborhoods; developers cite the Kurnosoff family as an example of early residents embracing the kindness pledge. Builders currently operate 21 model homes from five national builders to give prospective buyers a range of styles and sizes (Dwell; Silverwood official site).
Investigative questions and accountability
While industry recognition highlights Silverwood’s ambitions, the scale of the project raises practical questions that local leaders and residents will need to monitor:
- Infrastructure delivery: Timelines for roads, water, sewer and transit linkages will shape how fast the community can grow without straining services (Dwell; DMB Development).
- School capacity: Reserved school sites require coordination with local districts to fund and open campuses as homes fill; classroom delivery timing is critical for families.
- Water and environment: Proximity to Silverwood Lake and national forest lands elevates concerns about water supply, fire risk and habitat protection; continued environmental review and public oversight are essential (DMB Development).
- Regional traffic and jobs: Pace of retail and commercial build‑out will determine whether Silverwood becomes a commuter community or a more self‑contained employment center (Silverwood official site).
Implications for California
Economic impact and housing supply
The project could add thousands of housing units where supply is needed, with entry‑level options and executive product across the plan. With homes starting in the $400,000s and a projected $1.6 billion in infrastructure investment, Silverwood may generate construction and service jobs across San Bernardino County and adjacent cities (Dwell; DMB Development).
Local government and public services
Hesperia and neighboring jurisdictions will need careful growth management: funding and phased delivery for schools, emergency services, roads and water systems will be watched closely as the development advances (developer video).
Community character and social cohesion
The kindness pledge and walkable villages emphasize neighbor responsibility, local institutions and volunteerism. For audiences favoring civic‑centered community norms, this approach may appeal — though long‑term success depends on sustained partnerships between residents, groups and agencies.
Environmental and safety trade‑offs
Nearly 4,900 acres of open space are planned, but development near forested areas and lake resources raises wildfire, watershed and habitat concerns. Ongoing environmental review and coordination with fire and water agencies will be vital (DMB Development; Dwell).
Next steps for residents and officials
Prospective buyers can tour 21 model homes now and explore limited move‑in options. Officials will need to track infrastructure timelines, school delivery and environmental permits as Phase 1 progresses. Meanwhile, the SoCal MAME Awards and John Ohanian’s recognition put a national spotlight on Silverwood’s goals and potential impact (Dwell).
