Santa Ana real estate development is surging

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana has reached a historic milestone in its development trajectory, issuing over 9,500 building permits for an all-time high construction valuation of $772 million in 2023.

This remarkable achievement – more than double the construction valuation of past years – demonstrates the City’s commitment to responsible growth and development that will benefit the community through the creation of new housing, jobs and businesses.

“Santa Ana stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth in Orange County,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “With over $772 million in permit valuations last year alone, we are witnessing unprecedented momentum in our development landscape, reflecting our business-friendly policies at City Hall and our community’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.”

Santa Ana houses nearly 25,000 businesses, encompassing both small businesses and major corporations, including a Fortune 500 company and several national corporations with headquarters in the city. Positioned near an international airport and major freeways, it is one of few Southern California cities with a vibrant and multicultural downtown entertainment, shopping and business district.

Developers have recognized the value of investing in Santa Ana, which is the third-largest city in Orange County by population and 14th largest in California with 310,000 residents and a daytime employment population of 295,520.

The City updated its General Plan in 2022, laying the groundwork for new mixed-use development opportunities. The City is also embarking on a comprehensive Zoning Code update that will modernize its codes, streamline project application review processes, and provide clarity on land use regulations. Additionally, the City is developing plans for the five Focus Areas of the General Plan to serve as a roadmap for connecting new development with essential physical improvements, infrastructure and street design, fostering walkability, sustainability and community well-being.

A multitude of exciting projects are in the works, including:

• National builder Toll Brothers is completing the Rafferty on 4th Street, offering 218 apartments that will bring new residents to the heart of the downtown Santa Ana business district.
• The Row at Redhill by Greystar, which is transforming a former industrial site into a mixed use project with 1,100 multi-family residential units and up to 80,000 square feet of commercial retail and restaurant space.
• The Village Specific Plan would have up to 1,583 residential units, up to 300,000 square feet of office space, and up to 80,000 square feet of retail on a 17.2-acre site.
• The 1st and Harbor Mixed-Use Development would transform a vacant lot into a nine-story mixed-use building with 181 residential condominium units, over 15,000 square feet of commercial space, 1,800 square feet of office space, 339 parking spaces, and 40,853 square feet of open space and amenities.
• Several national restaurant and coffee shop brands continue to expand their footprint in Santa Ana or stepping foot here for the first time, including a second Raising Canes Chicken Fingers, the City’s first Tom’s Jr., 7-Leaves Café, another Starbucks, Better Buzz Coffee Roasters and the second Dutch Bros Coffee in all of Orange County.

Click here for a map of all major projects currently in various stages of development.

Watch the video below highlighting three major projects and hear from the developers who are investing in Santa Ana here.

Santa Ana continues to attract investment and innovation, making it an exciting destination for residents and businesses alike as it moves forward with a renewed sense of growth and prosperity.