West Anaheim revitalization efforts along Beach Boulevard

Redevelopment aims to improve quality of life

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Hundreds of new homes are coming to Beach Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue with shopping, dining and community spaces to follow as part of Anaheim’s plan to revitalize the heart of west Anaheim.

In mid-April, grading got underway at the northeast corner of Beach and Lincoln for Nolin, a community of 65 townhomes with a park and playground by Newport Beach-based Landsea Real Estate California Inc.

“We know change can’t come fast enough. But, for the first time in years, real change is coming to Beach Boulevard.”

Harry Sidhu, Mayor of Anaheim

On Monday, 164 townhomes, 100 affordable apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail space on the southeast corner of Beach and Lincoln were approved by Anaheim’s Planning Commission.

The projects are a big step forward for Anaheim’s 1.5-mile stretch of Beach Boulevard, which has struggled with blight, a high level of police calls and quality-of-life issues for area residents.

The developments are part of Anaheim’s plan to transform Beach’s blighted motels and strip malls with new residents, shopping, restaurants, community gathering places and other uses.

“The new Beach starts now,” Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “These projects will jumpstart our transformation of Beach Boulevard. We know change can’t come fast enough. But, for the first time in years, real change is coming to Beach Boulevard.”

At the northeast corner of Beach and Lincoln, homebuilding is the first phase of 39 Commons, a 30-acre project that also includes a shopping center, commercial uses and community spaces.

The 65 townhomes of 39 Commons are expected to start selling in October and finish in 2022.

A 38,100-square-foot retail center is set to include a high-end grocery store, shops, restaurants, services, outdoor, community spaces and potential commercial uses.

Work on the retail of 39 Commons is expected to start in early 2022 and play out over the next five to 10 years, including potential commercial uses.

The project is a venture of Los Angeles-based Zelman Developlment Co. and Irvine-based Greenlaw Partners Inc. on land sold and leased by the city of Anaheim.

At the southeast corner of Beach and Lincoln, redevelopment is expected to play out over the next few years with a blighted motel, car wash and strip mall giving way to townhomes and affordable apartments.

The project’s retail space will eventually replace a corner gas station.

The 7.3-acre site will bring new homeowners to the area with 134 townhomes for sale, including 13 homes reserved for moderate income buyers based on Orange County’s median annual income of $103,000.

The townhome community also includes a lawn, playground, picnic tables and barbecues.

A separate building built around interior parking will provide 100 affordable apartments as part of Anaheim’s ongoing effort to provide living spaces in reach of working people and families.

The new residents on both sides of Beach and Lincoln are expected to support future stores and restaurants, while both projects are seen leading future redevelopment along Beach.