The Market Place Update

Community lawn, new restaurants and residences set to open in 2025

Since debuting in 1988, The Market Place has become one of Southern California’s most popular open-air shopping and dining destinations, drawing millions each year to its top lifestyle brands and 47 diverse eateries. The Market Place blends vibrant modern workspaces, elevated apartments and diverse retail for ultimate convenience. 

The Market Place is currently undergoing a significant reinvestment to create a newly imagined community lawn and plaza area and new apartment homes just steps from shops and restaurants. 

The community lawn and plaza design reflects several years of community input and master planning, as Irvine Company engaged with residents and shoppers to understand how best to create new gathering spaces at The Market Place. 

This more than half-acre amenity is set to debut this summer next to the Regal Edwards Market Place theater, fountain and restaurants. It will serve as a community gathering space and is envisioned to host pop‐up shops, culinary experiences and special seasonal celebrations.

New restaurants and favorites in new locations are part of the improvements. Mendocino Farms, BLK Dot Coffee, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and a full-service restaurant will have locations next to the new community lawn and plaza, while Corner Bakery and a new Shake Shack will be located nearby.

Two new apartment communities are being built adjacent to the community lawn and plaza. Colonnade at The Market Place and Meridian at The Market Place are designed for those who enjoy walkable access to live, work and play opportunities, including young professionals who work at nearby medical and office campuses. 

The first new residents will be able to move-in to their home  in fall 2025, with pre-leasing beginning in June. With the introduction of the new neighborhoods, The Market Place will merge convenient living with lively retail, dining, entertainment and community gathering places.

The Market Place key facts and figures

• Residents have bike and trail access to Lower Peters Canyon.
• The Market Place features bold architecture and vibrant colors with fountains and broad plazas. 
• Its distinctive design was the vision of famed international architect Ricardo Legorreta, whose inspiration included a unique color palette, 100-foot-high light towers, geometric shapes and light-filled public spaces.
• The Market Place includes 3,000 trees, with olives, date palms and Australian willows, as part of 1.6 million square feet of landscaping, irrigated responsibly with reclaimed water and smart controllers.
• That vision is evolving with the addition of a reimagined plaza with a brand-new half-acre lawn that will connect retail, residential and dining.
• The new features are connected to The Market Place’s collection of 130+ shops, restaurants and retail, including home goods, groceries, apparel, wellness, dining and entertainment.
• Beginning September 2025, two new luxury apartment communities will amplify the live, work and play lifestyle at The Market Place.
• The retail and residences are steps from Class A workplaces at Market Place Center. 
• The residences are zoned to highly acclaimed schools in the Tustin Unified School District.