COSTA MESA, CA—Kearny Real Estate Company plans to dramatically redevelop the former Los Angeles Times printing facility in Costa Mesa into a one-of-a-kind creative campus that will attract larger firms seeking exceptional creative space. Kearny expects to invest more than $100 million to reposition the building.

The Press is a redevelopment project of the former LA Times printing plant. The Press is a redevelopment project of the former LA Times printing plant.

“The Press” pays tribute to the storied past of the building and promotes new occupants of the building to “write their own story.” Located near the 405 Freeway at Harbor Boulevard., the iconic facility served as a signpost reflecting the burgeoning post-World War II suburban growth of Orange County.

“There has yet to be a creative space redevelopment in Orange County that can match the unique attributes of this project,” said Jeff Dritley, founder and managing partner, Kearny Real Estate.

The main facility is a steel-frame structure with soaring 50-foot clearance that will give way to multi-tiered, high-volume tenant spaces. Exterior full-height glass panels and an expansive grid of skylights will flood the building with natural light. The facility is well positioned for large users looking for efficient floorplates. Also, with 24 acres of land, users requiring an even larger campus or expansion rights can be accommodated.

The building spans 700 linear feet along a vacated rail spur, with a canopied loading dock that will be redesigned into an exceptional indoor/outdoor amenity area. Large overhead doors will open the tenant spaces into three acres of outdoor space, divided into zones of social interaction and recreation. Plans for an amphitheater, yoga lawn, volleyball court, barbeques and outdoor soft seating are all designed to meet the demand of today’s lifestyle-focused creative cultures.

The building also has prominent signage that is seen from the 405 Freeway by approximately 175,000 cars traveling north each day, according to OCTA. Signage is also available along Harbor Boulevard, Sunflower Avenue and South Coast Drive.

“This is truly a unique offering for large users looking to take their creative culture and business to the next level,” continued Dritley. “The Press will become part of the next user’s brand story, and they will benefit from the creative and design movement happening in Costa Mesa.”

In recent years, the City of Costa Mesa has expanded on its reputation as the place to be for creativity, lifestyle and design with the success of SOCO and businesses such as Van’s selecting the city for its new corporate headquarters. Costa Mesa is home to a variety of contemporary and experiential retail destinations, such as The Camp and The LAB, as well as more traditional shopping at South Coast Plaza. The performing art hub at Segerstrom Performing Arts Center is located nearby, as is The California Scenario, a public art installation by Isamu Noguchi at Pacific Arts Plaza. The City is also focused on adding bike lanes to promote wellness and mobility for its residents and businesses as well as access its many dining, shopping and art amenities.

“There is pent-up demand for highly-amenitized workplaces in Orange County,” added Dritley. “The Press is an authentic manufacturing building that is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for forward-thinking companies looking for the perfect blend of culture, space and amenities.”

The site is currently undergoing upgrades to the exterior façade, roof and skylights and eco-friendly landscaping. Design work is being handled by architecture firm LPA. Leasing is being handled by Rick Kaplan and Rob Lambert of Cushman & Wakefield.

Founded in 1993, Kearny Real Estate Company is based in Los Angeles with offices in San Diego and Santa Fe Springs. The firm has managed and developed over 200 assets with values more than $4.5 billion.  The company is a partnership of experienced real estate professionals active in the acquisition, entitlement and land development, development, repositioning, distressed debt workouts, leasing, management and disposition of commercial projects in California