Culver Commons, a new 1.6-acre, food-forward retail project on the former Culver Public Market site at Washington Boulevard and Centinela Avenue, is finally moving ahead in Culver City. The compact, pedestrian-focused center is being built through a public-private partnership and is slated to bring outdoor plazas, a restored neon "Culver" sign and a mix of local and regional food operators to the corner. After a stop-and-start construction history, the development is being framed as a neighborhood hub for dining, drinks and small-format retail.
As reported by Axios, Culver Commons will blend food, beverages and community-focused retail with a publicly owned parking structure meant to support nearby businesses. Confirmed tenants named by Axios include Smog City Brewing, El Moro, Vox Kitchen, Rol Handroll Bar and Wanderlust Creamery. "From prioritizing local operators to restoring the historic Culver sign, every decision reflects our broader approach to disciplined, experience-driven development," Ray Kayacan, vice president of investments at Regency Centers, told Axios.
Site plan and tenant mix
Regency Centers lays out the project at roughly 1.3 acres with about 12,000 square feet of building area and approximately 13,700 square feet of leased space. The brochure shows suite sizes for the signed operators, including a 4,500-square-foot space for Vox Kitchen and 1,500 square feet for Smog City. Parking is planned across two levels, with roughly 122 to 145 stalls, and the plan reserves room for plazas, seating and public art. The document lists a Q4 2026 delivery for the retail component while noting layouts are conceptual and subject to change.
A long road back
The project dates to a 2018 disposition-and-development agreement, but work stopped in 2020 when the developer invoked a force-majeure clause during the pandemic. The City of Culver City documents a 2024 amendment that removed the original market-hall concept and refocused the site on open-air dining, public art and landscaping. The city also underscores that the parking structure will be city owned and intended to serve the surrounding neighborhood, not just the Culver Commons footprint.
Smog City signs on as first tenant
Smog City Brewing describes itself as the project's first signed tenant and says it plans a taproom and kitchen at Culver Commons with an opening targeted for "early 2027." The brewery says the Culver location will pour its full lineup on draft and introduce a new food program designed to pair with its beers. That early commitment gives Culver Commons a recognizable local anchor as other tenants move toward their own build-outs.
El Moro and the food lineup
LAist reports that El Moro, the Mexico City churrería known for its churros and hot chocolate, is planning an LA expansion that includes Culver City. Other confirmed names on the tenant list include Vox Kitchen, Rol Handroll Bar and Wanderlust Creamery, as reported by Axios. The mix of regional brands and smaller local concepts is being curated to encourage steady, day-to-day visits rather than a one-off destination feel.
Where it fits on the Westside
Industry coverage notes that the revamped design is roughly half the size of the original market-hall proposal and leans into outdoor spaces and smaller storefronts. Urbanize LA reported that earth movers returned to the site earlier this year and pointed to roughly 13,000 square feet of commercial space and a late-2026 to early-2027 opening window. The pivot tracks with a broader regional appetite for lower-risk, experience-first retail that fits into daily routines and quick neighborhood trips.
Timeline and what to watch
There are a few discrepancies in the projected schedule. Regency Centers lists a Q4 2026 delivery for the retail portion, while the City of Culver City project page shows an estimated completion in spring 2027. Smog City cites an opening in "early 2027," offering a rough indication of when at least part of the center might begin serving customers. Key milestones to watch include restoration of the neon sign, progress on the parking structure and tenant build-outs as the site shifts from shell to functioning neighborhood spot.
For Culver City residents and workers, Culver Commons is being framed less as a regional megadraw and more as a cluster of everyday storefronts and patios that can slot into regular routines. The restored neon sign is set to be a visible nod to that local focus, while the publicly owned parking structure is intended to simplify visits for employees, shoppers and nearby businesses. Expect more lease announcements and construction updates over the coming months as operators finalize designs and move closer to opening their doors.
