MGA Mixed-Use HQ Plans Released

After years of speculation, MGA Entertainment finally released plans for its new Chatsworth HQ. Killefer Flammang Architects associate Lise Bornstein is heading up the project, which will include transforming the 24-acre site on West Prairie into a 1.2M SF mixed-use HQ that features office, retail and even residential space. Lise tells Bisnow the EIR was just released and the development could receive the green light from City Hall early next year.

Lise (pictured wine tasting in Sonoma) tells us the development plan calls for 700 units, along with shared amenities between residents and MGA employees, such as a large amphitheater that could occasionally host community events and concerts. In addition, MGA Campus will include a trail that's both a promenade and an exercise path, landscaped with canopy trees, native shrubs and drought-tolerant grasses.

Scuttlebutt about MGA's plans first began in 2006 when the toy-maker bought the site, which includes a 250k SF building that used to be home of the LA Times Valley edition. MGA plans on moving about 250 employees into that building, which will be renovated. Plans also include some neighborhood serving retail, a 7,500 SF employee cafeteria and more than 40k SF of creative office space for lease.

The project will take nearly three years to build and could be completed by 2018, assuming it receives discretionary approvals from the city (and with the backing of the local neighborhood groups, that seems likely). Lise tells us the project will be a jewel in the West Valley, for both MGA and other residents. After all, most of the market-rate apartments will be rented by locals, though she tells us the multifamily aspect was important to MGA in potentially attracting talent.