Elevate Aircraft Seating Expands Operations in Huntington Beach

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The newly leased facility by Elevate Aircraft Seating in Huntington Beach, enhancing manufacturing capabilities.

News Summary

Elevate Aircraft Seating announces a major expansion with a new facility lease in Huntington Beach. The company, formerly Adient Aerospace, aims to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in response to growing demand in the aerospace sector. Additionally, plans emerge for a medical outpatient facility in Newport Beach as the area experiences a surge in medical office demand. The local industry sees continued activity with notable personnel changes in real estate firms.

Huntington Beach – Elevate Aircraft Seating has announced a significant expansion by leasing a new facility spanning 280,460 square feet at the McDonnell Center Business Park, located at 5701 Skylab Road in Huntington Beach. This facility, which was previously occupied by Hybrid Apparel, includes 40,000 square feet of office space and provides a rare opportunity for manufacturers in Southern California to scale their operations efficiently.

The leasing agreement was finalized with Prologis, while Savills represented Elevate in this transaction. Elevate Aircraft Seating, previously known as Adient Aerospace, will continue to operate its existing 80,000-square-foot facility next door at 5511 Skylab Road. This strategic expansion not only demonstrates the company’s commitment to growth but also its aim to optimize manufacturing capabilities in a prime location.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Elevate Aircraft Seating has established a presence with additional facilities in both California and Germany. The expansion in Huntington Beach signifies a recognition of the increasing demand in the aerospace industry for innovative seating solutions. Steve Card, vice chairman at Savills, emphasized that such growth opportunities are crucial for manufacturers, allowing them to respond to needs in a rapidly evolving market.

In a related development, plans are underway for transforming a 78,000-square-foot office building at 3300 Irvine Ave. in Newport Beach into a medical outpatient facility. This joint venture between Archer Property Partners and Real Estate Development Associates involved acquiring the property for $18.5 million earlier this year. The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the conversion in January 2025. Originally built in 1980 by The Koll Company, the building was primarily used for general office space.

Newport Beach is experiencing a surge in demand for medical office space, currently boasting one of the lowest medical office vacancy rates in Southern California, at below 5%. This trend reflects broader market dynamics present in Orange County. A recent report by NAI Capital indicated a decline in direct leasing activity of approximately 31.0% quarter over quarter in Q1 2025, with growing interest in subleasing.

Amidst this shifting landscape, Serendipity Labs is set to enter Orange County with a new 39,000-square-foot location at Pacific Arts Plaza in Costa Mesa, expected to open in mid-July. This facility will offer private offices and coworking options, with membership pricing starting at $449 for a one to two-person office and $199 for unlimited coworking access.

On the personnel front, John Leffler has been promoted to associate vice president at Western Retail Advisors in Irvine. Additionally, Curtis Ellmore and Dillon Knight have joined Newport Beach-based Redwood West, focusing on office and industrial real estate requirements in Orange County. In a further indication of ongoing industry activity, Jacqueline Thompson has joined Coldwell Banker Realty in Newport Beach as an affiliate agent. Lastly, Kim Arial and Bill Roberts have been named associate principals at Ware Malcomb in Irvine, underscoring the continuous evolution of the real estate sector in the region.