The first phase of OCVibe’s construction is underway, a major development that aims to transform the Honda Center area into an entertainment hub for Orange County.
The $4 billion development will build on the parking lots surrounding the Honda Center and the ARTIC transit station to create what developers are promoting as “the new heart of Orange County.” It will have new performance venues, restaurants, hotels and apartments on nearly 100 acres of land.
Right now workers are building two new parking garages near the 57 Freeway that will total about 4,500 spaces and serve Ducks hockey games and concerts at the Honda Center as well as new development on the west side, including a market hall, also now under construction, that will have more than two dozen food stalls and bars showcasing cuisines from around the world. Roadwork and utilities needed for future phases are also underway.
Matthew Hicks, vice president of public affairs for OCVibe, said there is more than $900 million in construction hard costs ongoing now and that will eclipse $1 billion by the end of the year. More than 300 people are working at the site daily, he said.
Work will soon commence on building a 6,000-person concert hall and a third parking garage, on the northeast corner of the Honda Center for premium guests.
Hicks said there won’t be major changes on game day for visitors going to the Honda Center to see the Ducks when the season gets underway next month and there is sufficient parking to support the venue throughout construction.
OCVibe will eventually boast a 6,000-person concert venue, a 2,000-person capacity theater and a smaller club with room for 300 people. There are also plans to build hotels, park space and around 1,500 apartments. The City Council granted approvals to build all this back in 2022.
Construction is focused now west of the Honda Center. The two parking garages will be ready by the end of 2025. The Market Hall, which will have two floors for restaurants and four floors for offices above that, is planned to open by 2026 along with the larger 6,000-person concert hall.
The two smaller performance venues are slated for 2027.
By 2028, the developers plan to have built a pedestrian bridge over Katella Avenue connecting the ARTIC station to the Honda Center. Apartment homes won’t be ready until 2029 at the earliest and beyond.
Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli are behind the project.
Anaheim sold 16 acres of parking lots around the Honda Center to OCVibe’s developers for $10 million in 2019. The city expects to get $10 million in annual tax revenue from OCVibe once it’s built out.
Later this year, OCVibe officials will ask the City Council to give them the option to remove the Arena Corporate Center office north of the Honda Center and replace it with apartments, offices and additional park space.
Hicks said the change would give the developers the ability to build up to 2,250 housing units.
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