County Sells Air Rights for Office Tower

The first office tower approved for construction under a newly instituted Orange County air-space-for-sale program is expected to cost $35 million upon completion in midsummer of 1986.

Start of construction on the 17-story building near John Wayne Airport in Irvine is planned for the first quarter of 1985 by McDonnell Douglas Corp. Under a new high-rise ordinance, the county may sell air space above 150 feet--which is “county territory.” The structure, McDonnell Douglas Tower 17, is designed for 200 feet. In this case, the firm will pay the county $1.78 per square foot above the 150-foot height.

The new policy allows the county to sell such airspace to developers seeking to build near the airport. The building site is at Von Karman Avenue and Martin Street, in Douglas Plaza across from the airport.