The Huntington Beach City Council has granted approval to a project which will redevelop a portion of the Bella Terra shopping mall with a mixed-use housing complex.
Los Angeles-based real estate developer DJM, along with its partner PGIM, announced the decision earlier this month. Their project, proposed in April 2021, calls for demolishing a 149,000-square-foot building now occupied by Burlington Coat Factory to clear the way for a new building featuring 300 residential units atop 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Additionally, plans call for new residential parking.
Rendering of the proposed developmentDJM
When the project announced, DJM indicated that it would set aside 15 percent of the development - 45 total apartments - as deed-restricted affordable housing, a move that would help Huntington Beach fulfill its obligation to zone for 13,300 new homes over the coming eight years under its regional housing needs assessment.
“We are excited to announce the approval of our latest residential development project at Bella Terra. This new project will provide Huntington Beach residents with additional living options,” said DJM president Lindsay Parton in a news release. “Since acquiring Bella Terra almost 20 years ago, we are proud to continue these development projects to enhance the city while listening to community needs. The updated retail mix will provide new residential tenants with daily needs retail while also providing attractions and amenities to the larger community. We are looking forward to continuing Bella Terra’s next chapter.”
Moving forward, DJM and PGIM will complete design and engineering plans for the project (led by TCA Architects), while also obtaining construction permits. A groundbreaking for the housing complex is expected in late 2023, with construction to occur over roughly 30 months. That would lead to an anticipated completion date of early 2026.
Location of the Bella Terra shopping center in Huntington BeachGoogle Maps
The project follows other upgrades made to the mall by DJM, including the addition of a stage, lawn, and beer garden to Bella Terra's central courtyard.
Besides its Huntington Beach project, DJM is also in the midst of a $100-million revamp of Ovation - formerly the Hollywood Highland Center - which will convert much of the fortress-like mall into office space.
