Tustin’s Enderle Center is being acquired by Burnham-Ward Properties, with Campo on 17th, a mix of homes and retail, envisioned for its future.
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The Orange County-based commercial developer said retail would remain the “primary use” for the center on East 17th Street, just east of the 55 Freeway.
The developer is looking to reimagine roughly 60,000 square feet of the commercial retail space and add 100 for-sale townhomes. The proposal also includes lush landscaping with mature trees, seating areas with fire pits and open spaces available for year-round public community gatherings.
Steve Thorp, partner at Burnham-Ward Properties, said every new aspect planned for the area is being proposed with the intention of bringing “the best possible experience to residents, visitors and business owners alike,” and with the goal of “elevating the community experience for generations to come.”
Part of the center since 1992, the Crab Cooker recently announced it would permanently close the Tustin location by May 31. The El Torito already closed.
Zov’s, another beloved establishment in the Enderle Center since 1987, is expected to remain a core tenant in the future project. Over the years, the business has expanded from its initial 1,200-square-foot space to nearly 14,000 square feet.
“Our mission is to deliver unique concepts that the local community connects with deeply, and Zov’s is an essential piece of this next chapter,” Thorp said.
In a statement released on social media, Zov’s owners said they are “excited to share that a brand-new transformed Zov’s restaurant experience is coming to Tustin. Inspired by the energy and atmosphere of our newest San Clemente location, the new space will bring a fresh and elevated dining experience to our community. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with plans to open before Summer 2027. We cannot wait to share this next chapter with all of you.”
Tustin Councilmember Lee Fink said the Enderle Center has been part of the community for nearly his entire life, but it needs upgrades to both its infrastructure and its mix of offerings.
“My goal since coming onto council is to see this concept through,” Fink said.
He noted that one of the first questions he faced after being elected was a zoning proposal that would have allowed about 1,400 new homes at the property, which would have meant removing the center. Fink said he voted against that proposal.
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City zoning allows for more homes than Burnham-Ward is now proposing.
The current plan preserves the retail center while significantly reworking it, Fink said. “We’re not losing the Enderle Center.”
Fink said people have been worried about high-density homes or five-story apartment buildings replacing the center, but the proposal instead calls for three-story townhomes on the south and east sides of the property overlooking a revitalized retail area.
“We worked extensively with the local community and city to find the right balance. The modified plan we reached is truly a win-win for everyone. It will provide the city needed housing while preserving retail as the primary use for the property,” Thorp said in a statement. “Reduced residential density also allows us to expand and curate a diverse tenant mix, improve parking circulation and public access, and create ample open space for increased community programming and events.”
Fink said several existing buildings would be demolished or renovated.
Zov’s current tent area could become an open lawn for events and family programming. Fink said the goal is to create “a real draw for people and families to come.”
New retail and restaurant buildings are planned along Yorba Street, and the gas station at 17th Street and Yorba Street would be replaced by a one-story building that could include a coffee shop or similar concept, according to the proposal.
City officials are reviewing the proposal with public hearings expected later in 2026, according to the city Planning Department’s online tracker of projects.
The project would require substantial infrastructure work, and Fink said the center would probably have to close for about a year while utilities and other upgrades are completed.
“The goal is to get it reopened as quickly as possible,” he said. He described the plan as a better outcome than replacing the center with a much larger housing project, saying, “I’m glad we have this coming in instead of razing the center and cramming 413 homes.”
Fink said the redevelopment should make the center a stronger destination for residents, adding he hopes it will become “a great place for people in Tustin to get to, eat, enjoy the evening, shop,” while also generating revenue for the city and creating jobs.
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“I’m optimistic,” he said, “that it’s going to work well.”