Huge Chino Business Park Planned : Majestic Spectrum Seen Bringing Jobs to ‘Bedroom’ Area

A newly announced 405-acre “business community,” the Majestic Spectrum, will include 6.5 million square feet of space for diverse commercial, industrial and retail use in the rapidly growing city of Chino.

Construction on the initial phase of the vast business park will commence this summer with the build-out continuing for eight to 10 years, according to David A. Wheeler, ownership representative for Majestic Realty Co., privately held City of Industry commercial and industrial brokerage and developer of the project.

The Spectrum is expected to have a valuation of $500 million upon completion and will create about 8,000 new jobs within the next seven years as the first two phases are completed, according to estimates by Chino city planners.

The property was acquired for $50 million by Wheeler for Majestic and others in the development/ownership entity, while Maury Panza, senior marketing associate for AIP Commercial Brokerage Co., Irvine, represented all the selling interests. Majestic will own and lease out the property.

“The concept of a ‘business community’ is to locate a diversity of business product and amenities within a vital, expanding mini-metropolitan area such as the Chino Valley,” Wheeler said. “In this way, the developer generates new jobs for the local economy, relocates jobs closer to the work force, thereby decreasing commute hours and subsequent traffic congestion.

“Particularly in Southern California, the ‘business community’ is becoming an integral part of planned growth areas, where people can shop, live and work without the inconvenience of spending several hours a day commuting.”

The strategically situated property--with the approved and projected Corona Freeway as its western boundary--will have ample space for buildings to house industrial, offices and corporate and regional headquarters, research and development, retail and support service facilities. The site’s other boundaries are Ramona Avenue on the east, Schaefer Avenue on the north and Eucalyptus Avenue on the south.

The Spectrum will contain 43 acres for commercial use, 67 acres for business park use, 14 acres for light industrial use, 126 acres of rail-served light industrial and 105 acres of rail served general industrial zoned land. Open space and roads will take up 50 acres. It will also have an automotive retail center, medical and banking facilities, restaurants, a health fitness club, day-care center and other support facilities.

The Spectrum site was once the Ellsworth Ranch, a landmark Chino Valley property known for its breeding, training and racing of thoroughbred horses. It was purchased in the mid-1970s by Albert Levinson for investment purposes and was held until Majestic Realty bought it last November.

Wheeler said Majestic’s decision to expand its development operations into the valley was based on three major reasons--location of the former ranch, an excellent development environment and superior product environment.

Eastern Los Angeles County has been the firm’s major area of involvement, he said, where it has about 12 million square feet of industrial buildings in the City of Industry alone.

Fast-Growing Area

“We made the determination that our area of emphasis should follow the growth pattern of the population eastward,” he said, noting that Chino is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. The Inland Empire--Riverside and San Bernardino counties--and its 1.8 million population already outranks San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and Phoenix, he said.

Attendees at the recent Inland Empire West conference held at the Red Lion Inn, Ontario, saw an 8-by-8-foot scale model of the Sprectrum among the exhibits at the meeting. The project is one of several properties to be seen on a Feb. 26 “Site Tour” planned by the conference to feature sites in Chino, Fontana, Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.

Commerce Construction Co., wholly-owned subsidiary of Majestic Realty, is the general contractor. Leasing will be handled jointly by Wheeler and Panza.