Anaheim Demolishes Americana Motel on Beach, clearing way for redevelopment

ANAHEIM, Calif.(Oct. 12, 2021)- Anaheim has demolished the former Americana Motel on Beach Boulevard as part of larger efforts to redevelop and revitalize the heart of west Anaheim.

Razing the 44-room motel clears the way for redevelopment of the southeast corner of Beach Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue as affordable apartments, townhomes for sale and eventual retail space.

It is part of the larger redevelopment of Beach and Lincoln, with 65 townhomes underway and a shopping center and community spaces planned on the northeast side of the intersection.

"This is our commitment to revitalizing west Anaheim in action," Mayor Harry Sidhu said. "This motel demolition will set the stage for more redevelopment along Beach Boulevard and, ultimately, a better west Anaheim."

In coming years, the Americana site and adjacent parcels totaling 7.3 acres are set to be redeveloped as:

Opened in 1958, the Americana Motel was once a fashionable place to stay along Beach with a Polynesian vibe. Like other motels in the area, the Americana was a stopover for people on their way to the coast or for visitors to Disneyland.

But, as with other motels along Beach, the Americana outlived its usefulness for travelers.

Its last use was as a sober living home, with all residents having been relocated with assistance from Anaheim.

The Americana is the third motel along Beach to be demolished since the adjacent Silver Moon Motel in 2002 and Lyndy's Motel in 2017.

The street is home to about 15 motels, many of which no longer serve visitors but rather as last resort housing with better options available to those struggling with challenges.

Sadly, some motels perpetuate prostitution and human trafficking, transiency and drug abuse. Anaheim provides extensive outreach and services to those in need along Beach.

You can learn more at Anaheim.net/homeless.

The city is looking to redevelop Beach Boulevard with new shopping, restaurants, homes, community gathering places and other uses along the 1.5 miles of Beach in Anaheim.

At the northeast corner of Beach and Lincoln, construction of Nolin, a community of 65 townhomes by Newport Beach-based Landsea Real Estate California Inc., is in the early with completion expected in 2022.

A 38,100-square-foot retail center is set to include a high-end, specialty grocery store, shops, restaurants, services, outdoor, community spaces and potential commercial uses.

Work on the retail of 39 Commons is expected to start in 2022 and play out over the next five to 10 years, including potential commercial uses.

The project is a venture of Los Angeles-based Zelman Development Co. and Irvine-based Greenlaw Partners Inc. on land sold and leased by the city of Anaheim.

With development partners, Anaheim is leading this first phase of redevelopment along Beach.

When finished, the city-driven first phase of redevelopment will span more than half a mile from 39 Commons to the West Anaheim Youth Center, a community center that opened in 2007.

"I share in the joy of all of west Anaheim in seeing the beginning of change at this site," said Anaheim Council Member Jose Diaz, who represents District 1 in west Anaheim. "Change cannot come fast enough, but this shows change is here."

The initial redevelopment creates opportunity for developers to come in under streamlined planning and pursue other projects along Beach.

The city's focus on Beach's redevelopment follows the model of its work redeveloping The Anaheim Resort, downtown Anaheim and the Platinum Triangle around Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center.

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