HUNTINGTON BEACH’S BELLA TERRA CENTER MAY BE GETTING A NEW LOOK

DJM, a Southern California-based private equity real estate developer, has submitted plans for a new, mixed-use residential development at the Bella Terra shopping center in Huntington Beach, CA.

DJM’s latest project, submitted for review to Huntington Beach’s Planning Commission, will be built on the site currently occupied by Burlington Coat Factory. Plans call to demolish the 210,000 square-foot structure and an additional surrounding 30,000 square feet of retail and replace it with a low-rise building boasting 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail beneath five stories of residential dwelling units.

The project will include new, structured parking for residents that supplements Bella Terra’s existing parking structures, access to which will be enhanced with the construction of a new roadway. Upon completion, the development would greatly improve the area’s walkability and reduce vehicular traffic. As the city of Huntington Beach continues to work with the state and California Department of Housing and Community Development to articulate its housing needs, fifteen percent (roughly 45) of the 300 residential units would be provided as affordable housing.

“This project provides Huntington Beach residents additional living options in a manner that is sustainable and thoughtfully integrated into the Bella Terra commercial project,” said Becky Sullivan, chief operations officer at DJM. “The updated retail mix will serve the daily needs of the new residential tenants while providing attractions and amenities to the larger surrounding area. We’re looking forward to the due diligence and approval of the City Council members and Planning Commission’s recommendations, and are much looking forward to Bella Terra’s next chapter.”

Since acquiring Bella Terra (formerly the Huntington Beach Mall) in 2005, DJM has transformed the shopping center into a community hub by curating a mix of best-in-class dining, retail, and entertainment. In 2019, DJM reimagined the property’s center courtyard to include a stage, grassy lawn, and beer and wine garden, all in an open-air setting.

DJM also developed Pacific City in Huntington Beach and also owns and operates the nearby Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach’s lauded seaside complex of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.