News Summary
Anduril Industries, co-founded by Palmer Luckey, has leased nearly 42,000 square feet in Costa Mesa, marking a significant expansion. The new space brings their total footprint in Orange County to over 1.3 million square feet, solidifying their position as the second-largest aerospace contractor in the region. The company is also planning a major factory in Columbus, Ohio, emphasizing their growth strategy amidst a competitive defense landscape. With recent funding and multiple leases, Anduril continues to attract talent and innovate in defense technology.
Costa Mesa, California – Anduril Industries, a prominent defense contractor co-founded by Palmer Luckey, has leased nearly 42,000 square feet at a Segerstrom-owned building located at 3515 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. The new space, which measures 41,770 square feet, was officially occupied by Anduril in early August 2024, marking a significant expansion in the company’s local real estate holdings.
This lease brings Anduril’s total real estate footprint in Orange County to over 1.3 million square feet, establishing the company as the second-largest aerospace contractor in the region, with approximately 3,200 employees. Boeing leads this sector in Orange County with 5,300 employees.
As part of its ambitious growth strategy, Anduril is also planning to develop a primary factory complex in Columbus, Ohio, with a planned investment of $1 billion and an estimated size of 5 million square feet. This decision adds to the company’s focus on expanding its production capabilities amidst competition from traditional defense contractors.
Anduril’s recent activities in Orange County include signing at least seven leases since January 2024. One significant lease, finalized in late July, involves nearly 163,000 square feet at the newly constructed Harbor Logistics Center in Santa Ana, which is set to support distribution, manufacturing, or research and development operations. The newly signed lease at the Harbor Gateway Business Center will extend through August 2030, at a rate of $22.68 per square foot.
In June 2024, Anduril secured a remarkable $2.5 billion in Series G funding, elevating its valuation to $30.5 billion, a substantial increase from $14 billion just a year prior. The company’s growth trajectory is supported by contracts such as a recent $159 million agreement with the U.S. Army for a prototype that integrates night vision, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence into military applications.
Despite a general softening of the industrial market in Orange County, Anduril continues its aggressive space acquisition strategy. The property leased from C.J. Segerstrom & Sons is part of a broader commitment to bolstering Anduril’s capabilities, contributing to projects such as the South Coast Technology Center and The Village mixed-use project.
Palmer Luckey, in discussing the company’s strategy, indicated that Orange County offers significant advantages over Silicon Valley for acquiring talent, presenting a counter-narrative to the high costs and political challenges faced in the Bay Area. As part of its recruitment efforts, Anduril actively seeks to attract dedicated and talented individuals, while simultaneously filtering out those who may not align with its workplace culture.
Anduril’s success is attributed to its approach of appealing directly to key decision-makers within the defense industry, which has allowed it to engage in multiple multimillion-dollar contracts. The company also works in collaboration with technology firms, including Meta Platforms, to drive innovation in defense technology.
Overall, Anduril’s extensive lease agreements, strategic investments, and innovative products—including systems like the Fury drone, Seabed Sentry mobile sensor network, Copperhead underwater torpedoes, and Barracuda-M autonomous air vehicles—position it as a formidable competitor against established defense giants such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Business Journal: Anduril Industries Gobbles Up More Space in Costa Mesa
- Wikipedia: Anduril Industries
- OC Register: Anduril in Costa Mesa Clinches Funding at $30.5 Billion Valuation
- Google Search: Anduril Industries
- Microsoft News: Anduril and Microsoft Partner to Advance IVAS Program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Defense Industry
- Built In: Anduril Industries
- LA Times: Anduril Defense Tech and Aerospace Venture Capital Los Angeles
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.
