MainPlace Santa Ana Breaks Ground on The Carina and Culinary District
MainPlace in Santa Ana entered its next phase this week with a ceremonial groundbreaking for The Carina, a new 408-unit multifamily community, and the MainPlace Culinary District, a 1.25-acre dining and gathering destination. The projects are being developed by Lowe in partnership with MainPlace owner Affinius and owner/operator Centennial. City leaders, including Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Councilmember Jessie Lopez, joined company executives for the event.
The Carina will rise at 2828 N. MainPlace Drive on the east side of the property, directly across from the Culinary District. The eight-story building will feature a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments arranged as five residential levels above three levels of above-grade parking and one level below grade. Interior finishes include luxury vinyl plank flooring, porcelain tile, quartz countertops and contemporary fixtures. Units will offer in-unit washers and dryers and terraces.
Residents will have access to a range of indoor and outdoor amenities designed for wellness, work and social connection. The fourth-floor amenity deck will include a resort-style pool and spa, outdoor dining and screening areas, and a landscaped courtyard that connects to a large indoor community space with lounge areas, kitchen and dining space, double-sided fireplace, game room, television lounge and club room. Additional amenities will include a fitness center with group exercise and yoga rooms, coworking and study spaces, a maker space, dog run and dog spa, and secure parcel storage. The community will feature more than 84,000 square feet of terraces and courtyards. The Carina follows the 2023 completion of the 309-unit Paloma and is anticipated to finish in the fourth quarter of 2028.
” Santa Ana welcomes the continued transformation of MainPlace, bringing forward modern residences such as The Carina and Paloma, along with welcoming places to gather like the new Culinary District and the evolving shopping center, said Mayor Amezcua. Thoughtful redevelopment like this strengthens our city and delivers lasting benefits for the community. ”
The Culinary District is framed as the social heart of MainPlace, bringing more than 20,000 square feet of locally curated, chef-driven concepts into an open-air setting anchored by two flagship retail spaces at Center Court. The plaza will include programmed event space for live entertainment, seasonal markets and community gatherings, and is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2028.
” Affinius, Lowe and Centennial are committed to reimagining MainPlace as a vibrant, welcoming destination that brings together residents of the new apartment properties with the neighboring community to gather, linger and spend meaningful time with family and friends, said Lowe Senior Vice President Rob Reitenour. The transformation introduces a new way to live while positioning MainPlace as a destination for shopping, entertainment and recreation. With renewed vitality comes an increase in visitors supporting local businesses and delivering lasting economic benefits to the City of Santa Ana. ”
Current center improvements include updates to the atrium and food court, expanded seating, upgraded lighting and refreshed finishes, with natural materials and integrated greenery to reinforce a cohesive indoor-outdoor experience.
” The Culinary District will introduce a new front door for MainPlace while showcasing the creativity of Santa Ana s local culinary scene, said Michael Platt, executive vice president of mixed-use development at Centennial. Positioned at the heart of the center, it will serve as a natural connection between the new residential communities and the shopping center, creating a welcoming place for people to gather, dine and experience the energy of MainPlace. ”
MainPlace is a three-story super-regional shopping center located minutes from the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center. The current work is part of a multi-phase transformation integrating residential living, dining, shopping and community gathering spaces.