Compiled by Chris Hannigan
The Planning Commission this week is set to review a second proposal by Newport Beach developer Etco Development Inc. for condominiums and stores along the coast. The project is called the Newport Bay Marina. A surfboard shop, an office and some industrial buildings from the 1930s would be razed to make way for the project on a 2.4-acre site at Newport and Balboa boulevards. The developer wants to put up 11 three-story buildings on top of underground parking. Newport Bay Marina calls for 27 condos, 36,000-square-feet of commercial space and the reconfiguration of boat docks and bulkheads. The project also needs California Coastal Commission approval. Newport Bay Marina won’t trigger a citywide vote under Greenlight because the project is consistent with the city’s plans, according to a Newport Beach official.
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A 29,017-square-foot restaurant for the Pacific Club at Koll Center is set to open by year’s end. The restaurant is replacing a 25-year-old Italian eatery that went out of business. Snyder Langston of Irvine is working on the $12 million project. The restaurant is set to include a 50-seat dining room, several private rooms, some with projectors for presentations, two wine cellars, a bistro and a small library.
The city has bought an apartment complex near Disneyland Resort with an eye toward redeveloping the area. The city paid $2 million for the property. The move is the latest in a series of deals by the city and local investors to revitalize the area called Hermosa Village, formerly known as Jeffrey-Lynne. The neighborhood has more than 700 apartments on some 30 acres. The city and investors have bought 497 rundown buildings in the area in the past five years. Buildings have been updated, landscaping added and a community center with barbecues was built. The city could face opposition from Walt Disney Co., which has expressed concerns about putting housing too close to its two theme parks and hotels.
Chapman University has opened its Marion Knott Studios film school building. The 76,000-square-foot complex includes a 500-seat theater, a Hollywood-style dubbing stage, two sound stages with computerized lights, a stage construction room, two 24-hour computer labs, a high-definition TV studio and classrooms. Irvine-based Turner Construction Co. completed work on the $41 million project in August.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County recently received city approval to build 27 affordable homes in the city. Fourteen of the homes are planned for injured veterans. Habitat for Humanity plans to use volunteer labor and donated funding, professional services and building materials. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
The Planning Commission recently approved a ballroom dance studio that plans to move into a 1,873-square-foot site that formerly was home to a gym. The studio plans to offer dance lessons at 27241 La Paz Road at the Plaza De La Paz commercial center.
