Santa Clarita Projects Fill Out the Map

The Business Journal’s Warner Center-based editorial team took a field trip to Santa Clarita Valley, where gatekeepers of various developments shared updates on their projects. The Nov. 8 trip began with a visit to Center at Needham Ranch, a six-warehouse project with the first one about to come online in a month. The center is readying Building 1 for Illumination Dynamics, which through CBRE inked a 67,639-square-foot lease. CBRE’s Craig Peters — who with colleague Doug Sonderegger represented the development team in the transaction, while CBRE’s Greg Geraci represented tenant Illumination Dynamics — discussed the formation of the industrial campus, with an assist from CBRE marketer Vanja Scholls. Trammell Crow Co. and Clarion Partners partnered on the construction with the half-dozen buildings of class A industrial space on a 52-acre Phase 1 site, with each structure ranging from 67,639 to 212,236 square feet. Peters said that the campus is perfect for entertainment production companies. “You don’t have to worry about your neighbors,” Peters explained. “There’s no flight path above here. Movies need to control the sound.” The Business Journal continued to Vista Canyon, Valencia-based JSB Development’s emerging self-sustaining master-planned community spanning 185 acres that will add 1,100 single-family homes and townhouses (currently under construction by two different builders), office, retail and a new Metrolink station. Jefferson Vista Canyon, the project’s first residential development with 480 apartments and a $190-million price tag, has Dallas-based JPI constructing the component with first tenants expected to move in by summer 2020. Jim Backer, who with Steve Valenziano heads JSB, arrived with Project Manager Steven Gonzalez to give the Business Journal a tour of the Gensler-created office structure, which represented the downtown design firm’s first-ever Santa Clarita project. When it is completed in 2024, Vista Canyon will total 1,100 residential units, nearly 1 million square feet of commercial space, and more than 21 acres of recreational areas. Over lunch at Salt Creek Grille at Westfield Town Center in Valencia, Jason Crawford talked about commercial development in the Santa Clarita Valley. Crawford, manager of Planning, Marketing and Economic Development with the city of Santa Clarita discussed fast-tracking entitlements and permits for studio ranches and post-production houses seeking facilities in the city.