News Summary
Elevate Aircraft Seating, previously Adient Aerospace, is significantly expanding its operations in Huntington Beach by leasing a new 280,460-square-foot facility. This new space at McDonnell Center Business Park will enhance their manufacturing capabilities while they continue operations next door. The expansion reflects a rare growth in Southern California’s manufacturing sector. Additionally, plans for a medical outpatient facility in Newport Beach and new office space in Costa Mesa highlight the dynamic economic developments in the region.
Huntington Beach – Elevate Aircraft Seating, the company formerly known as Adient Aerospace, is set to expand its operations significantly in Huntington Beach with the leasing of a new facility. The newly acquired 280,460-square-foot space is located at the McDonnell Center Business Park, specifically at 5701 Skylab Road, and represents a strategic move to accommodate the company’s growing needs in the aircraft seating manufacturing sector.
The lease agreement was secured with property owner Prologis and handled by Savills, a commercial real estate brokerage. This expansion allows Elevate to grow rapidly and efficiently, as they will immediately occupy the new facility while still maintaining their existing operation in an 80,000-square-foot building next door at 5511 Skylab Road. The newly leased space was formerly occupied by Hybrid Apparel and includes 40,000 square feet of office space, a requirement for Elevate to enhance its operational capabilities.
The expansion of Elevate Aircraft Seating is significant, as it reflects a rare instance of manufacturing growth in Southern California, particularly within a region that has seen limited expansion in this sector over the years. The company, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, also operates additional facilities in California and Germany, indicating its commitment to broadening its presence in the aerospace market.
In a related area of real estate development, plans have been approved for a 78,000-square-foot office building located at 3300 Irvine Ave. in Newport Beach to be converted into a medical outpatient facility. This conversion is a joint venture between Archer Property Partners and Real Estate Development Associates, with the property having been acquired for $18.5 million earlier in 2023. The Newport Beach Planning Commission gave their approval for this conversion project in January 2025, reflecting the increasing demand for medical office space in the area, marked by a vacancy rate of less than 5%.
A recent report by NAI Capital highlighted that the Orange County office space market is experiencing rising subleasing activity, contrasting with a significant 31% decline in direct leasing activity recorded in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter.
In further developments in the area, Serendipity Labs plans to open a new 39,000-square-foot location at the Pacific Arts Plaza in Costa Mesa. This will mark Serendipity Labs’ first foray into Orange County and will offer a variety of office options, coworking memberships, and meeting rooms, with prices starting at $199 per month.
Additionally, in the retail sector, Toca Football Inc., located in Costa Mesa, announced that it has secured $35 million in new funding to further develop its Topgolf-inspired concept, Toca Social, along with technological advancements in soccer training. This financial backing consists of $15 million in equity and $20 million in debt financing arranged through J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. Toca has also extended its partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) to remain active through 2036, marking a continued commitment to innovation in sports and entertainment.
Notable personnel movements in Orange County’s real estate sector include the promotion of John Leffler to associate vice president at Western Retail Advisors, and the addition of Curtis Ellmore and Dillon Knight to Redwood West in Newport Beach, both moving from JLL. Jacqueline Thompson has joined Coldwell Banker Realty in Newport Beach as an affiliate agent, and Kim Arial and Bill Roberts have been named associate principals at Ware Malcomb in Irvine.
The recent developments in manufacturing and real estate underscore the dynamic nature of the economies in Southern California, showing signs of growth and adaptation in response to market demands.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Business Journal: Elevate Aircraft Seating Expands
- Wikipedia: Huntington Beach, California
- Orange County Register: Elevate Aircraft Seating Expansion
- Google Search: Southern California real estate market
- Orange County Business Journal: Toca Football Raises $35M
- Google Scholar: Aircraft seating manufacturing
- Orange County Register: Workers Return to Office Mandates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Real Estate
- Orange County Register: California Housing Costs
- Google News: Manufacturing growth Southern California
