A once-sprawling parking structure near Fashion Island is giving way to hundreds of new homes, as the Irvine Company kicks off construction on a five-story, 184-unit apartment building in Newport Beach.
The project rises on a roughly 2.2-acre site at 800 San Clemente Drive, where a four-story, 842-space parking garage stood until recently. The new building will plug into the existing Villas Fashion Island complex, pushing the community to about 708 units once residents move in. By swapping out underused parking for apartments and amenities, the company is leaning into a more residential feel for the heart of Newport Center.
What Is Being Built
City planning records show the new structure will bring roughly 225,000 square feet of residential space, along with two subterranean parking levels holding 287 spaces, according to the City of Newport Beach. Plans call for a new pool, sauna, fitness center, coworking areas and outdoor courtyards.
Residents of the addition will also share in the existing Villas Fashion Island perks, including pools, a clubhouse, yoga studio and resident lounges, effectively folding the new wing into the larger community. City documents describe the design as a five-story building that wraps around and above the former garage footprint in order to preserve as much open space on the ground as possible.
How It Cleared Approvals
The expansion moved ahead through an administrative sign-off under the North Newport Center Planned Community rules, which meant planning staff could approve it without sending it to the Planning Commission or City Council. The Irvine Company obtained construction permits and started work after demolishing the garage, according to The Real Deal…