New Century Development Proposes 82-Unit Apartment Project in Downtown Long Beach

• New Century Development has proposed an 82-unit apartment building at 402 Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Long Beach.
• The seven-story development would replace a long-vacant service station site.
• Plans include 82 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments above 82 parking spaces.
• A portion of the units would be designated as affordable housing, allowing the project to utilize density bonus incentives.

What Is Planned for 402 Atlantic Avenue

A new residential development could soon transform a long-underutilized corner property in Downtown Long Beach. New Century Development has submitted plans for a seven-story apartment building at 402 Atlantic Avenue, replacing a former service station that has sat vacant for years. The project would bring 82 new residential units to a growing section of the downtown neighborhood. The development is planned as a podium-style building featuring a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments designed to serve a variety of renters.

What the Project Includes

According to the application, the building would contain 82 residential units above 82 parking stalls. While the parking spaces are not required under current regulations, the developer has elected to include them within the project. A portion of the apartments would be reserved as affordable housing, enabling the development to qualify for California's density bonus program. The incentives allow developers to receive relief from certain zoning standards in exchange for providing below-market-rate housing. While the exact affordability breakdown has not yet been disclosed, the inclusion of affordable units helps increase housing supply in a market that continues to face significant demand.

What the Building Design Looks Like

Studio T-Square is serving as the project's architect. Renderings depict a contemporary seven-story structure featuring a combination of painted stucco and exterior siding. The design includes outdoor amenity decks on both the third and seventh floors, giving residents access to shared open space within the building. The podium-style design is commonly used in urban infill developments, allowing residential units to be constructed above structured parking while maximizing housing density on relatively small sites.

What Is Happening Around the Site

The proposed development is positioned within an increasingly active section of Downtown Long Beach. Just three blocks west of the site, Mercy Housing California is currently developing an affordable housing community at 300 Alamitos Avenue. Three blocks to the east, developer JPI recently began construction on a 272-unit mixed-use apartment project near the City Place shopping center. These nearby projects reflect continued residential investment throughout Downtown Long Beach as developers seek opportunities near retail, employment centers, and transit connections.

What This Means for Downtown Long Beach Housing

If approved, the project would convert a long-vacant commercial property into new housing while adding affordable units to the market. As cities across Southern California continue looking for ways to increase housing production, infill developments like 402 Atlantic Avenue are becoming an important part of efforts to revitalize underutilized sites and bring new residents into established urban neighborhoods.