Related California's proposed $3-billion redevelopment of Santa Ana's Metro Town Center mall faces a key hurdle: the Santa Ana Planning Commission.

Rendering of the Related Bristol projectRelated California

Related Bristol, named for its location on the east side of Bristol Street between MacArthur Boulevard and Sunflower Avenue, calls for clearing away existing improvements from a 42-acre site to allow for the construction of:

  • up to 3,750 residential units;
  • up to 350,000 square feet of commercial space;
  • 250 hotel rooms;
  • 200 senior care units;
  • parking for 6,250 vehicles; and
  • up to 13.1 acres of open space.

According to a project website and presentation materials shown at community meetings, the project team includes urban design consultant Gehl, architecture firms Elkus Manfredi, Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Rios, and engineering firm Kimley-Horn.

Rendering of the Related Bristol projectRelated California

Under the specific plan now being considered by city officials, the project site would be split into 21 separate blocks, organized around new streets, passageways, and central green spaces. The majority of buildings proposed for the site would range between 1 and 7 stories, though some may rise as high as 25 stories.

Construction of Related Bristol is expected to occur in phases (none of which would overlap) starting with the southern portion of the site in 2026, then proceeding northward. Completion of the third and final phase is projected to occur in 2036.

Site plan for the Related Bristol projectRelated California

In exchange for project entitlements, Related would agree to a community benefits package with the City of Santa Ana, including room for a police substation and a payment of $22 million over three installments.

Related Bristol is one of two large, multi-phase developments slated to replace malls in Santa Ana. Near Metro Town Center, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons is partnering with Hines on a project which would replace the 17-acre South Coast Plaza Village mall with more than 1,500 homes and 300,000 square feet of offices.

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