In early 2022, developer Genton Cockrum Partners demolished the shuttered San Pedro Courthouse, a first step toward the construction of a new mixed-use apartment complex on the 2.8-acre site at 505 Centre Street. Nearly two years later, with work yet to commence, the Pasadena-based firm will get more time to bring the project to reality.

On November 21, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a 12-month extension of its exclusive negotiation agreement with Genton Cockrum Partners (GCP), with a new expiration date of December 31, 2024. The County will have the right to terminate the agreement at any point during that period of the developer is unable to demonstrate progress toward beginning work on the project. GCP has indicated to County officials that it expects to be able to secure full financing for the project at some point during 2024.

View from 5th and CentreMVE + Partners

The currently-vacant site, located on the west side of Centre Street between 5th and 6th Streets, is approved for the construction of an eight-story building which would feature 300 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments above 25,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 559-car garage. The ground-floor space would include room for a food hall.

a new eight-story complex that will feature 300 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, in addition to 25,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space (including a food hall) and parking for up to 559 vehicles.

GCP is required to set aside 20 percent of the proposed apartments - 60 in total - at rents considered affordable to households earning no more than 80 percent of the Los Angeles area median income level, per its agreement with Los Angeles County.

San Pedro CourthouseGoogle Maps

MVE + Partners is designing the project, referred to as Acqua Via at San Pedro, which is depicted in renderings as a contemporary podium-type building with an M-shaped footprint above street level. Plans call for a series of resident courtyards above the podium, as well as 6,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space at ground level.

The Courthouse site is one of a handful of publicly-owned properties in Downtown San Pedro currently poised for redevelopment, including the Ports O' Call Village and the Rancho San Pedro public housing complex. Parking lots at 711 Beacon Street and 500 Mesa Street are also being considered as potential development sites by the City and County.

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