Across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco, the former naval base on Yerba Buena Island remains home only to trees, winding roads and the occasional seagull.

Soon, though, the often-forgotten island will look startlingly different. Developer Wilson Meany and partner Stockbridge Capital Group will begin vertical construction this week on 266 luxury homes, a number of walking trails, parks and a private spa and clubhouse.

In other words, the developers want Yerba Buena’s roughly 150 acres to serve as an oasis for tech executives, retirees and families to “live larger” and immerse themselves in nature, as Chris Meany, partner with Wilson Meany, put it.

“We all want to be part of one of the most exciting economies in the Bay Area, but we came here also because we value quality of life,” Meany said. “That’s why living in San Francisco is different than living in New York.”