New Luxury Condo Towers Coming to Newport Center: What Buyers Need to Know

New Luxury Condo Towers Coming to Newport Center: What Buyers Need to Know

If you've been watching the Newport Beach luxury market and wondering where the next wave of new construction is headed, look no further than Newport Center. In March 2026, the Newport Beach Planning Commission unanimously approved one of the most significant residential developments this area has seen in decades: twin 22-story luxury condominium towers from Related California, rising just steps from Fashion Island.

As a fifth-generation Newport Beach local and a Broker Associate at Compass, I've watched this stretch of Newport Center evolve for years. This project is different — it's going to change the skyline, and it's going to open up an entirely new category of luxury inventory for buyers who want walkable, resort-caliber living without giving up proximity to the coast.

Here's what you need to know.

The Project at a Glance

Related California — the Irvine-based arm of New York's Related Companies, the firm behind The Century in Century City and Waverly in Santa Monica — filed plans in late 2024 to redevelop a 4.17-acre site at 210 and 300 Newport Center Drive. The site is currently home to the Regal Edwards Big Newport theater and a neighboring fitness facility.

Key project details:

• Height: Two towers at 22 stories (270 feet) each — among the tallest structures in Newport Beach
• Units: 150 total condominiums, ranging from two to four bedrooms, with penthouses on the top floors
• Amenities: On-site retail space and a cafe
• Parking: A dedicated garage accommodating roughly 280 vehicles
• Affordable housing: None included in this particular project — a contrast to some neighboring Newport Center developments that carry affordable housing components

The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the project unanimously on March 6, 2026. Appeals are currently pending before City Council, which is the next step before the project can move toward construction.

The End of an Era: Big Newport Theater

Part of what makes this project notable is what's making way for it. The Regal Edwards Big Newport opened in 1969 and became a true community landmark — home to the Newport Beach Film Festival for years and, for many longtime locals, the definitive movie-going experience in Orange County. The IMAX screen installation was a genuine community moment, and generations of Newport Beach residents have their own "Big Newport" memories.

The Edwards family, which founded the theater company, made the decision not to extend Regal's operating agreement beyond June 2027, with the theater expected to close before then given years of declining attendance. Jim Edwards of the Edwards family spoke in support of the Related California development at the Planning Commission meeting — a notable full-circle moment for a family-founded local institution.

Why This Matters for Newport Beach Buyers

Newport Beach has always been defined by its waterfront single-family homes, harbor cottages, and low-rise condo communities like Granville and the Meridian. What's coming to Newport Center is a genuinely different product type: high-rise, lock-and-leave luxury with penthouse-level views, all within walking distance of Fashion Island's shops, restaurants, and Trader Joe's — plus quick access to Corona del Mar and the beach.

This isn't competing with Peninsula oceanfront or Lido Isle waterfront listings. It's serving a different buyer entirely — someone who wants:

• A true lock-and-leave lifestyle without HOA-heavy, older condo stock
• Elevator living with resort-caliber amenities
• Walkability to world-class shopping and dining
• New construction with modern floor plans and finishes

For sellers of existing Newport Center-adjacent condo product, this new inventory is worth monitoring over the next few years, though Newport Beach's limited coastal land and enduring demand mean the broader market isn't likely to soften meaningfully because of it.

This Is Part of a Bigger Newport Center Story

The Related California towers aren't happening in isolation. Newport Center is in the middle of its largest residential transformation in years, driven in part by California's state housing mandates. Other projects in motion nearby include:

• A 28-unit luxury condo project at 150 Newport Center Drive, scaled down from an original 49-unit proposal, with construction anticipated in 2026
• A 184-unit expansion of the Villas at Fashion Island at 800 San Clemente Drive, already under construction and expected to complete in early 2028
• Additional housing sites allocated to The Irvine Company under a 1,500-unit entitlement across North Newport Center

Taken together, these projects represent well over 1,500 new residential units concentrated in a roughly half-mile radius around Fashion Island — a meaningful shift for a city that has historically been defined by its established, low-density coastal neighborhoods.

What to Watch Next

If you're considering buying in this new wave of Newport Center product, here are the milestones worth tracking:

1. City Council appeal outcome — the project still needs to clear pending appeals before moving forward
2. Theater closure date — expected before June 2027, which will kick off demolition
3. A November 2026 Responsible Housing Initiative vote — if passed, this could affect entitlements on projects that haven't yet fully secured approval, so timing matters for anyone weighing pre-construction opportunities

As always, I'm tracking these Newport Center developments closely and will keep this space updated as pricing, floor plans, and sales timelines are released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly are the new Newport Center condo towers being built? The project is located at 210 and 300 Newport Center Drive, on the site currently occupied by the Regal Edwards Big Newport theater, just steps from Fashion Island.

How many units will the new towers have? The approved project includes 150 total condominium units across two towers, ranging from two to four bedrooms, including penthouse residences.

When will construction start? The project was approved by the Newport Beach Planning Commission in March 2026, with appeals currently pending before City Council. A firm construction start date has not yet been announced, though the theater's operating agreement runs through June 2027.

Will this development include affordable housing units? No. Unlike some other Newport Center projects currently in the pipeline, this particular development does not include an affordable housing component.

Is this project connected to other new developments near Fashion Island? Yes. It's one of several major residential projects underway in Newport Center, including a 184-unit expansion at the Villas at Fashion Island and a separate 28-unit luxury condo project at 150 Newport Center Drive, together representing over 1,500 new units in the area.

Who is the developer? Related California, the Irvine-based unit of New York's Related Companies, whose portfolio includes The Century in Century City and Waverly in Santa Monica.