News Summary
Santa Ana is set to undergo a major urban transformation with the South Coast Plaza Village redevelopment project. This 17.2-acre mixed-use initiative, scheduled for review by the Planning Commission, aims to introduce 1,583 homes, substantial retail and office space, and almost 14 acres of parks. The proposed development includes the closed Regency Theater property and plans for towers reaching up to 25 stories. With a focus on creating urban villages, the project aligns with sustainable growth trends and could reshape community living in Santa Ana over the next two decades.
Santa Ana is poised for a significant urban transformation as city leaders prepare to review a major mixed-use redevelopment project on a 17.2-acre site. The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Monday, Aug. 11, to discuss plans for the South Coast Plaza Village, a property owned by the Segerstrom family located at the Santa Ana–Costa Mesa border.
The ambitious redevelopment proposal aims to transform the current site into a vibrant mixed-use community known as The Village. This initiative includes plans for up to 1,583 homes, 80,000 square feet of retail space, 300,000 square feet of office space, and nearly 14 acres of parks and open space, with more than 7 acres accessible to the public. Developers envision The Village as a central hub for shopping, dining, and essential services, set within a park-like environment.
The project also encompasses the area of the recently closed Regency Theater property and will feature a central commercial area situated off Sunflower Avenue. This designated area promises ground-floor shops and restaurants integrated into residential buildings. There are plans for both surface-level and underground parking structures to support the expected influx of residents and visitors.
The residential units will be distributed across seven buildings, with plans for one office building proposed as well. The development may include buildings that rise up to 25 stories tall, which could significantly alter the skyline of southern Santa Ana.
Significantly, The Village project follows the recent approval of another mixed-use development in the area, known as Related Bristol, which was sanctioned in 2024. This project replaces a 41-acre shopping center with an ambitious plan that includes 3,750 residential units, a 250-room hotel, a 200-unit senior care complex, as well as additional parks, restaurants, and shops. The South Bristol Street corridor received a designation for high-density, mixed-use development as per a 2022 City Council decision.
The city’s overarching objective is to transition from traditional car-centered shopping environments to urban villages that promote walking, biking, and public transit. This aligns with current urban planning trends aiming for sustainability and community engagement.
The initial Planning Commission review is only the first step in a lengthy approval process. A tentative second City Council hearing for The Village is scheduled for Sept. 16 to discuss necessary legal permissions and zoning changes. City leaders may also need to reconsider a prior decision made by the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission, particularly concerning land-use regulations in relation to the John Wayne Airport area.
Developers estimate that The Village project will unfold in five phases over a period of 20 years. The expectations surrounding this development are high, with the potential to not only enhance the local economy but also create a new paradigm for community living in Santa Ana.
This proposed transformation of South Coast Plaza Village represents a crucial step in Santa Ana’s ongoing efforts to modernize its urban landscape, fostering a new era of responsible growth and revitalization.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: South Coast Plaza Village Proposal
- Wikipedia
- Multihousing News: $3B Orange County Mixed-Use Project
- Google Search: Mixed-Use Development Santa Ana
- NBC Los Angeles: Vacant Malls Repurposed for Housing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- OC Business Journal: Santa Ana’s Largest Development
- Google News: Santa Ana Urban Transformation
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
