Luxury apartments, restaurants and shops are expected to transform the area around the Toyota Arena by the end of next year, expanding Ontario‘s housing and entertainment options.
The Ontario City Council’s recent approval of the arena-focused entertainment district comes on the heels of the groundbreaking for the Ontario Sports Empire, a sports and entertainment district anchored by a Dodgers-affiliate minor league baseball stadium expected to open in April 2026.
The council approved the first phase of the $25 million Arena District project at its Nov. 18 meeting. The three-phase project is managed by Adept, a Pasadena-based developer.
“What we’re trying to do now is just create a location for a hub of activity, that the city visionaries kind of had established way back in the ’90s, when they started doing all of this work,” Robert Montano, the Adept project lead, said in an interview.
Current planning for the district began in 2022, according to city officials. The first phase, which the city says is privately funded, will include a public plaza with residential and retail development, including the construction of 700 luxury apartments and 26,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.
“We’ll have a large public area that’s ringed with high-definition LED screens, restaurants, food and drink, retail kiosks, as well as some fixed restaurants and bar areas, for all of our visitors,” Ochoa said in an interview.
Concept art for the planned Arena District project surrounding the Toyota Arena. The project has begun construction with the first phase slated for completion by the end of 2026. (Courtesy of Adept Development)
1 of 3
Concept art for the planned Arena District project surrounding the Toyota Arena. The project has begun construction with the first phase slated for completion by the end of 2026. (Courtesy of Adept Development)
Construction began in January 2025, according to Montano, and is expected to continue with the next part of phase one in January 2026.
Phase one of the project is slated for completion by the end of 2026, according to Ochoa. Phase two will include additional residential units and retail space, and there are plans to build a 2,500-seat performing arts theater that could be used for anything from live theater performances to TED talks, Ochoa said.
According to the city and developer, the project will have a more modern feel as opposed to the more traditional downtown or orchard themed-projects seen in other parts of the region.
“From an architectural aesthetic, we are trying to differentiate ourselves from what has been delivered to the market historically,” Montano said.
The city is hoping to attract luxury retailers to the district, following the trend in nearby cities such as Rancho Cucamonga, which recently gained a Chanel store and Fogo de Chão restaurant.
Though he declined to offer specifics, Ochoa said the city is in talks with prospective tenants for the Ontario project.
“We are ankle deep in negotiations with any number of players that we aspire to, that add instant credibility,” Ochoa said. “There is a wide variety of high-profile interest (in the project).”
City officials hope the district brings the city and region a much-desired entertainment addition that has been lacking, Ochoa said.
Toyota Arena, which opened in 2008, is one of the largest entertainment venues in the Inland Empire, and plays host to concerts, sporting and community events and more.
“The idea of being able to watch live music and have something good to eat, grab a drink with friends, is something I think that we as a region have missed for many years,” Ochoa said.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.dailybulletin.com ’
