History & Heritage
Simple
Beginnings
Early 1900s
Rene and Virginie Callens moved to Orange County in 1903 to start a new life farming lima beans and sugar beets. Joseph Callens, the son of a Santa Ana native, expanded the family’s lima bean farm during the 1930s, and was active in the civic life or Orange county throughout his life.
The Rise of South Coast Metro
1950s-1960s
The creation of a shopping center destination at South Coast began with the construction of South Coast Metro in 1967 – and paved the way for the future development of the adjacent Callens family lima bean farm.
Farmland to Shopping Center
1970s-1980s
From farmland to shopping center – Metro Town Center came to life after the Callens family farm was broken into six parcels and redeveloped into the existing center.
A New
Crossroads
Today and Tomorrow
South Coast Metro is at a moment of change. Impending retail lease expirations at the existing shopping center present an opportunity to imagine a new future centered on people and community.
Why Now?
Related Bristol has the opportunity to address specific challenges
facing Santa Ana and Orange County – providing much needed housing, addressing the changing nature of retail, and adding new public open spaces.
A New
Citywide Vision
The City of Santa Ana adopted a new general plan in May 2022, for the first time in 40 years. The new plan seeks to transform existing auto-oriented shopping plazas into walkable, mixed-use communities.
The Changing
Nature of Retail
Today’s consumers demand a new retail experience focused on curated goods, community gathering and fresh, local offerings – a trend that has followed the rise in online shopping and accelerated with the pandemic.
An Opportunity
for South Coast Metro
South Coast is continuously evolving and adapting to new trends. With retail leases expiring in 2025, the changing nature of retail combined with the City’s new General Plan present an opportunity to re-imagine the future once again, with the development of Related Bristol.
Parks & Open Space
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
A Bright
Green Future
Related Bristol will feature parks, open-air plazas and walkable paseos to provide the community with new outdoor spaces and places to explore, slow down, gather and feel inspired.
Together, these active and inviting amenities will create a fabric of public spaces where people can come together and connect.
Bristol Green, where we gather and
connect.
Bristol Paseo, a vibrant retail scene to
walk, shop and explore.
Bristol Plaza, an open-air community
commons.
Green Link, a walking and biking path
that meanders through the community.
Central Park, a verdant retreat filled
with trees and organic nooks.
Transit & Mobility
Related Bristol will create a more efficient and connected experience for the community at large.
Vibrant
Public
Realm
Active
Pedestrian
Pathways
Inviting
Neighborhood
Edges
Be a part of it.
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