News Summary
The proposed Hive Live mixed-use development in Costa Mesa has been officially abandoned after the sale of a 14.59-acre parcel to Drawbridge Realty. The site, which was intended for 1,050 housing units, will no longer follow the original project vision. Drawbridge Realty has committed to a 15-year lease with Anduril Industries, planning to repurpose the property. Mayor John Stephens expressed disappointment over the project’s demise while emphasizing the positive community contributions from Anduril Industries. This shift raises concerns about addressing housing demands in Costa Mesa amid ongoing affordability discussions.
Costa Mesa – Plans for the Hive Live mixed-use development in Costa Mesa have been officially abandoned following the sale of the 14.59-acre parcel on Susan Street to Drawbridge Realty, a San Francisco-based real estate investor. The now obsolete project aimed to transform the existing office complex into 1,050 housing units. The property, which includes three office buildings amounting to 190,000 square feet, was sold by Invesco Real Estate for an estimated value of approximately $77,928,000.
Drawbridge Realty has signed a 15-year lease with adjacent tenant Anduril Industries, which will begin on October 1. Charlie McEachron, the CEO of Drawbridge, has described the property as an “outstanding property in a premier location,” indicating their intention to repurpose the site differently from the Hive Live vision.
The Hive Live project was in the permitting process with the Costa Mesa City Council but faced increasing challenges as public hearings continued without progress. Mayor John Stephens expressed disappointment over the inability to advance the housing project but highlighted the positive impact of Anduril Industries in the community.
Details of the Hive Live Project
The Hive Live development was proposed by developer Legacy Partners and planned to include three five-story buildings, accompanied by 1,756 parking spaces. Developers aimed to incorporate 3,692 square feet of retail space along with approximately 7.7 acres of open space, catering to the increasing demand for housing in the region. The project was slated to be located just east of another Invesco property, where Anduril was set to establish a 640,000-square-foot headquarters.
Legacy Partners aimed to address Costa Mesa’s pressing housing challenges, proposing to add rental units to improve the city’s jobs-to-housing balance. Notably, the city has a population where approximately 57% are renters. The overall strategy aligns with the city’s housing plan, which targets the addition of 11,760 new housing units by 2030 to meet state-mandated allocations.
Community and Housing Goals
As part of the Hive Live development, at least 10% of the housing units were intended to be affordable for low-income renters in exchange for a density bonus. The proposed development would have taken place on land currently zoned for industrial use, marking a significant shift in land utilization. The project planned to unfold in three phases, creating a diverse residential environment meant to attract professional renters aged 25 to 45, with each phase themed to appeal to distinct tenant demographics.
The area, known as the HIVE, was previously a creative office space and served as the former headquarters and training base for the Los Angeles Chargers. The abandonment of the Hive Live project signifies a setback for proponents of increasing housing stock in Costa Mesa, particularly amidst growing discussions surrounding housing affordability and availability in urban areas.
Future Development Considerations
Drawbridge Realty’s acquisition and new plans for the site remain undisclosed, but their focus on long-term leasing with Anduril Industries suggests a strategic pivot away from the residential development initially proposed. The evolution of this property will have repercussions for Costa Mesa’s urban development landscape and its efforts to address housing demands moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Plan for 1,050-unit Hive Live in Costa Mesa Grounded by Deal with Neighbor Anduril
- Wikipedia: Costa Mesa, California
- Orange County Business Journal: Costa Mesa OKs Hive Live with 1,050 Housing Units
- Google Search: Hive Live Costa Mesa
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Planners Get the Buzz on Hive Live, a 1,050-unit Complex Landing Soon
- Google Scholar: Hive Live Costa Mesa
- The Real Deal: Hive Live Development Could Come to Costa Mesa
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Costa Mesa
- Orange County Register: Hive Live Proposing 1,050 Apartment Units in Costa Mesa
- Google News: Hive Live Development
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA 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.
