Pier Office Lease Is Transferred

The Redondo Beach City Council voted 3 to 1 Tuesday to transfer the lease of Seaport Village-Redondo Beach, an office complex on top of the pier parking structure, to a new owner.

The sublease of the 65,000-square-foot facility was assigned to Pier Plaza Associates.

After its opening in January, 1981, the $7-million New England-style shopping center struggled to attract tenants and shoppers to its 12 seaside buildings.

“We hoped the upscale complex would be a catalyst for other upgrading,” Harbor Director Sheila Schoettger said.

But in 1982, Seaport Village, a subsidiary of Safren Development, filed for bankruptcy, and American Savings & Loan assumed ownership of the premises. The company was commissioned to find a new manager for the complex, City Manager Ray Griest said.

The complex now houses 40 offices and includes an annex of the South Bay Municipal Court, KFOX radio station, an Indian restaurant and the South Bay branch of the Wellness Community.

Schoettger said Pier Plaza Associates will spend $250,000 on minor repairs at the facility.

“It’s not really blighted or tawdry. The repairs will include painting over certain areas and repairing rusted rooftop equipment, such as air conditioners,” she said.

Councilman Stevan Colin, who opposed the agreement, said in an interview that the lease does not provide enough revenue for the city.

Schoettger said the city is guaranteed $67,000 per year from the rental property.