Rivian Hub In Laguna Beach Breaks Ground At South Coast Cinemas

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has officially broken ground on the South Coast Theater project, according to the City of Laguna Beach.

Construction at the site of the historic theater on South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach is ongoing and progressing quickly toward a planned opening at the end of this year, according to the city.

According to Rivian, the redesign would slightly change the building's footprint but not the historic details.

Under ownership by Rivian, the building may be just what Laguna Beach needs for the next chapter in its storied history.

The interior will be carefully updated, as many of the finishes were either not original or have not survived the theater's transitions. Several signature interior details will be restored, said Denise Cherry, Senior Director of Facilities Design at Rivian.

The building originally opened in 1934 as the New Lynn Theater. It has served as a stage for Vaudeville performances, has been the place for movie premieres and opening nights. For years, it has sat empty, waiting for a new life.

"We are also excited to announce that the Theater has been successfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places," they said. "Rivian is looking forward to welcoming everyone into the space very soon."

Still, the extended closure has been tough on area business owners, Patch has learned. Heidi Miller, the owner of two stores in the immediate area, has watched the recent progress at the old theater with interest. After seven years of sitting idle, the empty theater building will make way for a thoughtfully designed site Rivian will use as a marketing and community venue.

"After seven years sitting idle and deteriorating, these renovations are exciting to see," Miller said.

The small storefront on the right (previously Dan Miller Jewelry ) will be their hospitality site and the small storefront on the left (previously Hagan Das ) will be for retail.

"They are leveling the interior floor to match the stage height," she said. "No more ramp. Lots of electrical and facade work is happening now."

Though the renovation of the building has taken longer than expected, things are moving now. Business owners can expect much foot traffic if the site is anything like its Venice Beach Hub counterpart.

The Venice Rivian Hub is a place where people can come together, share ideas and be inspired, according to a Rivian spokesperson. In Venice Beach, the renovated historic site has been home to everything from a historic electric works building to an art gallery.

"Today, we're excited to make use of it as a gathering space for the community — where people can connect, relax, attend workshops and learn about all things Rivian," they said. The Venice Hub offers an open courtyard, shaded gardens and a curated library. There are Rivian vehicles and adventure gear on display so visitors can experience our products up close.

The Laguna Beach theater project offers much of the same, according to the design plans. Denise Cherry, Rivian's Senior Director of Facilities Design, discussed the careful interpretation of the structure in 2021. She said the building's interior would be carefully updated and many finishes would be restored.

They plan on paying careful attention to Laguna Beach's artistic history and love of nature and the outdoors. Like the Venice Hub, Laguna Beach will also offer test drives, vehicle delivery experiences, deep dives into vehicle customization options, places for kids to play and explore, access to staff with deep product expertise, and location-appropriate merchandise.

Though the groundbreaking has begun, Miller admits the renovation has gone much slower than she had hoped. The owner of two neighboring stores says the closure has affected foot traffic patterns and resulted in lost sales.

"They have revised their plans which caused further delays. Management says they will be open by October, but the workers told me more like the end of the year," she said. "Either way, I'm absolutely thrilled Rivian bought the building, are restoring it and our traffic patterns will soon resume."

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