500-Unit Apartment Complex Proposed to Replace Manhattan Beach Office Building

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The city of Manhattan Beach has notified residents and property owners about a proposal to build a new 500-unit apartment complex that would replace an existing 5-story office building on a 5.1-acre site along Rosecrans Avenue. The proposed 71-foot-tall structure would include 100 units set aside for low-income residents, as well as a parking lot with space for 800 vehicles and 250 bicycles.

Why it matters

This proposed development represents a significant shift in land use for the area, transitioning from commercial office space to high-density residential. It reflects broader trends of increasing housing construction in coastal California cities to address the ongoing housing shortage, though the scale of this project may raise concerns about the impact on the local community.

The details

According to the notice sent by the city's Planning Division, the proposed 500-unit apartment complex would be built on the site of an existing 78,000-square-foot, 5-story office building located at 1440 Rosecrans Ave. The new 71-foot-tall structure would include 100 units set aside for low-income residents. In addition to the apartments, the development would feature a parking lot with space for 800 vehicles and 250 bicycles.

• The city sent a notice about the proposed development to area residents and property owners on February 12, 2026.

What’s next

The city has indicated that this project is currently in the preliminary planning review stage, and a building permit application has not yet been submitted. The community will likely have opportunities to provide input on the proposal as the review process continues.