Two Retail Projects That Are Revitalizing OC

Berman: “We have truly hand-selected each and every tenant, having to turn down popular and appealing tenants that other landlords would love to have, in favor of doing what’s right for the project, the community, the guests and the other tenants.”

ORANGE COUNTY, CA— Pacific City and Lido Marina Village both honor the DNA and history of their unique locations, DJM Capital Partners ‘ chief marketing officer Linda Berman tells GlobeSt.com. The San Jose-based developer is responsible for the construction and leasing of both new retail centers, Pacific City in Huntington Beach and Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach. Pacific City opened its doors to the public early November 2015, featuring such retailers as Equinox, Sephora and Lemonade , and more stores are slated to open throughout the spring. LOT 579 , the “food- hall” at the project will be open by this summer. Lido Marina Village, the waterfront property in Newport Beach, is currently being restored. Retailers are opening soon, and high-end brands such as Elyse Walker, Jenni Kayne, Planet Blue, Steven Alan and more will be opening at the destination, along with Nobu Restaurant , which will also be opening at the project this summer. GlobeSt.com spoke exclusively with Berman about the projects, their impact on their respective markets and the trends they represent in Orange County retail.

In addition to first-to-market dining and retail concepts, Pacific City offers spectacular panoramic views of the beach and ocean.

GlobeSt.com: What are the impacts Pacific City and Lido Marina Village are having and are projected to have on their respective markets? Berman: Both Pacific City and Lido Marina Village represent exciting and revitalizing projects that bring something new to their respective markets, while honoring the DNA and history of their unique locations. In the case of Pacific City, DJM Capital Partners acquired an exceptional parcel of land on Pacific Coast Highway just south of the Huntington Beach Pier, with spectacular panoramic views of the beach and ocean. Another developer had been unable to deliver at the site, and it had languished for a decade. DJM created a new landmark lifestyle destination on the California Coast, offering first-to-market dining and retail concepts, a 30,000-plus-square-foot Equinox fitness center and introducing a new community hub to downtown Huntington Beach. With Lido Marina Village, DJM is redeveloping and reenergizing one of Newport Beach’s hidden gems. This charming walkable shopping and dining district enjoys pride of place on the scenic waterfront, with a harbor-front boardwalk and cobblestone streets. For more than a decade, the previous owners allowed Lido Marina Village to fall into disrepair, but DJM’s development team is creating a renaissance at the Village, restoring its historic seaside charm while adding tasteful coastal-chic touches that already have attracted boldface tenants. In addition, Lido Marina Village is leading the overall revitalization of the surrounding Lido and Cannery Village districts.

DJM’s development team is creating a renaissance at Lido Marina Village, restoring its historic seaside charm while adding tasteful coastal-chic touches that already have attracted boldface tenants.

GlobeSt.com: What trends do these properties represent? Berman: Overall, Pacific City and Lido Marina Village represent intelligent development, which takes time, money, strategy and patience. We definitely aren’t developing malls with these projects. We are creating places with a sense of community, ambiance and uniqueness, answering a desire on the part of both guests and tenants for what’s new and what’s next. Restaurants provide the anchor and the through-line for both projects, with hand-selected retail, entertainment and services rounding out the mix. Both Pacific City and Lido Marina Village are designed for the delight and discovery of our guests at any and all times of day, from coffee at a café in the morning to toasting the evening with a craft cocktail—and everything in between. These are places that draw you in and encourage you to relax, enjoy and connect with the tenants, your friends and family. GlobeSt.com: What are your firm’s future development plans within the Orange County market? Berman: DJM remains bullish on the Orange County market and on constrained coastal markets in Southern California overall. These markets’ appeal is enduring to both consumers and tenants. For a firm like DJM, who has a proven track record of performance in these sometimes challenging-to-develop markets, they are a winning proposition. GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about these projects? Berman: The approach to leasing at both Pacific City and Lido Marina Village has required exceptional vision and patience. Our leasing team has never wavered from the brand DNA of the projects, which has dictated the level and mix of tenants we’ve been seeking from the beginning. Our approach to these projects is curatorial versus commoditized. We have truly hand-selected each and every tenant, having to turn down popular and appealing tenants that other landlords would love to have, in favor of doing what’s right for the project, the community, the guests and the other tenants. We are seeing our vision and patience pay off in the distinctive array of tenants we’ve attracted to both Pacific City and Lido Marina Village.  It’s always exciting and rewarding to see your vision become real—and to have it validated by both tenants and consumers.