The redevelopment of Downey Studios creates a true town center on an historic 80-acre property in one of Southern California's Gateway Cities, the birthplace of the Apollo space program. Part of a complex that has been in continuous use since construction of the original facilities in 1929, it has been home to a variety of important industrial enterprises throughout the years, including aircraft manufacturing, the testing and operation of California’s first low-level nuclear reactor, the invention of various chemical processes, research and production of rockets and missiles, design and production of equipment for the space and moon landing programs, support for the space shuttle program, and now, television and film production facilities. The City had already begun aggressive soil and water remediation in anticipation of realizing their vision.

The new town center will comprise a rich mix of office, retail, residential, restaurants, shared parking and parks, with an overall architectural and urban form that respects the historic structures still on the property.  The plan proposes a fabric of connected streets and walkable blocks with a central civic plaza surrounded by ground floor retail, restaurants and a movie theater. The eastern edge of the project contains a rich mix of housing types such as row houses, live-work, and courtyard housing served by an urban park that will help create a genuine neighborhood.