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If you dream of living in a small town while being surrounded by creative, high-agency people, we’re building this for you
Two key components will make Esmeralda special:
1. Our "hardware" – an Italian hill town
2. Our "software" – a culture of learning & building
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On the “hardware” side, here are some places that have inspired our plans for Esmeralda: x.com/devonzuegel/st
We plan to build one of the most beautiful new places in the country
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Devon 
@devonzuegel
I've been collecting a list of recently-built places with good urban fabric. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Las Catalinas is a hill town overlooking an ocean cove in Costa Rica, built just over a decade ago with the bones of a classic Mediterranean hill town (@LasCatalinas)
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On the "software" side, we’ve already gotten started
was a 30-day popup village, designed as a prototype for the permanent village
We hosted EE in Healdsburg, in part because it's just 15 mins from the land we're buying
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Edge Esmeralda
@EdgeEsmeralda
Edge Esmeralda was a month-long "popup village" — a sort of cross between a college campus & family summer camp
~1,300 people of all ages came to the charming small town of Healdsburg to learn, build, & live together for the month of June
Can't wait to do it again next year!
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Our five design principles are all interconnected & reinforce each other:
1. Support a multi-generational community
2. Prioritize pedestrians & cyclists over cars
3. Cultivate a culture of learning & building
4. Protect & harmonize with nature
5. Promote health & wellness
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If you have questions, or just want to follow our progress, here's more info: esmeralda.org
Come help us build the most beautiful new town in America!
Crypto and AI powered village full of VCs near Healdsburg. Definitely what locals want 
I see why you'd assume that, but we actually have a great relationship with both Cloverdale & Healdsburg!
I even got to interview the two City Managers, David & Jeff, at , the 30-day "popup village" we hosted in Healdsburg this June
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Devon
@devonzuegel
Yesterday I got to interview the City Managers of Healdsburg & Cloverdale, Jeff & David! 
Tons of locals attended, & the audience questions were interesting & thoughtful
Connecting with the local community has been such a rewarding aspect of organizing Edge Esmeralda 
Tons of locals attended, & the audience questions were interesting & thoughtful
Connecting with the local community has been such a rewarding aspect of organizing Edge Esmeralda Show more
Just wrapped up an amazing weekly call with our growing trade school community. 
2 months ago, this was just a dream. Today, it's a thriving reality because I took action.
Feeling grateful for the journey and excited for what's next. What a time to be alive!
2 months ago, this was just a dream. Today, it's a thriving reality because I took action.
Feeling grateful for the journey and excited for what's next. What a time to be alive!![Image](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="900" height="1200"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
We've been talking to insurance providers & the precise location of our land actually looks quite safe!
Wildfire risk is a serious issue in the broader wine country area though, you're spot on there
Thanks Patrick! I feel the same way — I have to pinch myself every morning to remind myself that I get to work on this
That means a lot coming from you, Charles!
Las Catalinas is one of our greatest inspirations
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Devon
@devonzuegel
Las Catalinas is the most inspiring real estate project I've seen cnu.org/publicsquare/2
built ~10 years ago, it combines modern comforts with the charm of a traditional village
I'd love to get lost in its rich network of hidden passages, stair streets, & cozy public spaces 
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We are very excited to announce our next publishing partnership. Check out Stitched Together by Tekkou Studios. A RPG adventure with a deep story, unique battle mechanics, world-defying stakes, and a whole extra dimension! Wishlist on Steam today!
Please let us know more in 2038 after the environmental impact studies have completed!
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Devon
@devonzuegel
I've been quietly working on something for a while, so I'm excited to finally be able to share it with you...
We are creating a new town called Esmeralda!
Our team has an exclusive option on a beautiful piece of land 90 mins north of SF, in California wine country
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Ha, you must be familiar with the development process in California!
The CEQA EIR is already complete for this site! More details here: web.archive.org/web/2024080102
This is incredible. What’s the best way to stay informed? Any kind of newsletter or monthly/quarterly zoom updates etc?
It makes me so happy to hear that Esmeralda resonates with you! You can subscribe for updates here: x.com/devonzuegel/st
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This is amazing! Thanks for building. Hopefully there are many more after too.
I was born and raised nearby and this is SO cool! Lmk if we can help. We map and monitor trees and infrastructure! 
Awesome!!! Thank you for offering. Here are some ways to get involved: x.com/devonzuegel/st
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This is amazing, but I am confused why you would try to build anything in California
Aren’t you going to run into enormous regulatory hurdles?
We have a great relationship with the local government actually!
We are collaborating with them closely, & they see this as a great opportunity for the region
More details:
My first guess is this is planned for Lake County, California, is that right?
I'm sorry you feel that way! We are trying to do a good thing here, and everyone I've met in the local community has been very welcoming and excited for this
Because California is my home state, and it is full of a lot of people that I love!
Also I am a masochist 
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I'm interested. To make this happen like in the vision you need a lot of rock and stone being built.
A lot of walls, patios, paths.
Otherwise it just ends up as more suburbia.
What’s the zoning on the parcel like? What sort of density are you hoping to achieve?
CONGRATS! can’t wait to put all of the built infrastructure for Esmeralda onchain
Yay! Love it! I'm sure you've got plenty of insights already, but if ever you want to chat about logistics of the built environment that make cycling more seamlessly integrated as a default transportation mode, I'm happy to chat!!
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The key is that Esmeralda creates value for neighbors!
The full potential will unlock when neighboring towns realize that the right development enriches their neighborhood instead of diminishing it.
One good case study and the second new town will be a lot easier to build.
Just wrapped up an amazing weekly call with our growing trade school community.
2 months ago, this was just a dream. Today, it's a thriving reality because I took action.
Feeling grateful for the journey and excited for what's next. What a time to be alive!
2 months ago, this was just a dream. Today, it's a thriving reality because I took action.
Feeling grateful for the journey and excited for what's next. What a time to be alive!
one of the most exciting projects of a generation. so so cool; congratulations, and thank you!!
I thought you were announcing a new video game
This looks even cooler though ~ lots of these new city ideas might be shooting a bit higher than govt will allow
This looks like it's right in the sweet spot of what is possible and still meaningful
You're looking to govern this autonomous community via a decentralized system, right?
There's a user-centered EVM called that offers e.g. multi-user governance of a single account, which is ideal for key decision-makers
I think your vision could really benefit from it
Interesting idea. Curious to hear more about the economics and commerce. Sounds utopian but Assuming a capitalistic model how do you retain that utopian feel for people of all income levels? Or is it less about commerce and more about buy, live, network here and commerce
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Cool! I am doing something similar. I spent summers at a Chautauqua near Nashville and thought it was the perfect community. I began to renovate houses at the edge of walkable downtowns (New Orleans, Albuquerque, Silver City, Denver) and eventually decided I wanted to build
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this is awesome. Thank you for sharing the history of the town your family used to live in and what you plan to build next in California. This looks really cool and I know you will be successful at this. Ignore the haters on twitter, keep building your dream and it
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Have you reverse engineered how many participants you would need to maximize the probability of this actually coming to fruition? Have you explored using mutual assurance contracts?
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Great stuff! So inspiring - in the 80s a planned community was built in Irving, Texas called Las Colinas… won tons of awards and was an amazing urban setting complete with water taxis and monorails between apartments and offices…
This sounds like the natural version of a
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Cool. It seems like a pastoral version of Disney’s EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow).
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Abe Murray
@abemurray
Replying to @packyM
We also need a new top school. When is the last time someone created a new Stanford (or even an Olin)?
It's not like those schools are increasing admissions to track with population.
We need new top schools. Created for a new era.
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this is so inspiring. congratulations . If you are thinking of citizen digital wallets (IDs, assets, NFTs), we (at ) would love to support Esmeralada.
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The drawing looks like Volterra (Twilight Series) where the Volturi lives
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Great idea, but how are you going to fix all the terrible state policies that are driving people elsewhere?
Our creative team gathers weekly for a show-and-tell session—an excellent opportunity to provide feedback and inspiration for one another. Join us for this week's Check It Out! 
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I’ve always wondered why more towns aren’t created. There’s so much space out there.
An incredible endeavor! Personally most excited about a town that believes in the whole family thriving together from grandparents to toddlers
Sounds like a dream. Congrats and good for you. Can't wait to visit. Will be following.
Reach out if I can help in any way.
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