Almost a year into a research and public-input process, the city of Manhattan Beach last week unveiled conceptual designs for two downtown locations. 

One site, on Manhattan Beach Blvd. next to the Vons market, is known as 400 MBB, former site of a US Bank. The site is nearly a "gateway" to downtown Manhattan Beach. 

The other, known by its bland, official monicker "Lot 3," is the site of a former 3-story, 145-space parking structure tucked behind restaurants and shops on the north side of Manhattan Beach Blvd., just west of the Metlox Plaza development. The site hosts a 69-space ground-level parking lot right now, after the Lot 3 structure was demolished in late 2024 due to seismic instability.

Initial public feedback made clear that local residents prioritize more parking and want to see more public open space, along with outdoor dining options. 

Plans for both sites deliver on those resident demands.

400 MBB would get a new 2-story building (see first image above) labeled an "anchor hub," with three food & beverage spaces on the first floor, opening out to a sizable plaza that incorporates little-used Morningside Drive. The sprawling new open space would connect the new structure with the main stretch of shops and restaurants along Manhattan Beach Boulevard's south side. Morningside would be blocked with retractable bollards at each end of the plaza, allowing the area to be opened up as needed. 

 

The second floor is designed for 5400 sqft. of "creative office" space, with a 3000 sqft. patio fronting MBB, with some potential ocean peeks and "sunset views" down the block. 

A small surface lot with 16 spaces would be located in back, accessed via Morningside Drive and 10th Place, behind Vons.

Early public feedback about the 400 MBB location had demonstrated concern over traffic impacts of a significant development at the site, while city officials deemed it to be a poor fit for a major parking structure due to its small overall footprint. 

Two options for Lot 3 were presented for public feedback. 

"Option A" puts 129 parking spaces underground, on three levels, which opens up three levels above ground for retail, restaurants and a large "community patio" with an attached event space. If the city council allows the building to override zoning and go to three stories in this manner, the top floor would have significant beach and ocean views. 

Retail would run along 12th Street, a stretch of downtown that is not much visited by the public now, as there are office buildings and a bank that fronts Highland Avenue along much of the street. (Trilogy Spa recently moved to a spot right across from the potential new building.)

Two restaurant spaces would get different sorts of patios – one mostly facing Morningside Drive and Metlox Plaza, with views up toward the Tree Section. Another would get a north- and west-facing patio with some ocean views. 

"Option B" for Lot 3 recognizes some public sentiment for surface-level parking instead of underground, delivering 200 spaces for cars (71 more than Option A), with three underground levels and two above ground. The option lacks retail or restaurant spaces, but preserves a third-floor "community patio" and event space, provided that city council approves the nonconforming height. 

For more images, and records of prior public feedback, see the full photo gallery below. 

Next, the city council will review final concepts and public feedback at a September meeting.