Woodland Hills · Retail to live/work
Five empty storefronts in Woodland Hills could become live/work units
20600 Ventura Boulevard
The owner of a roughly 10-year-old mixed-use building asked to reclassify five ground-floor retail spaces as residential or live/work units, reviewed by the neighborhood council's planning committee.
What it was
Five street-facing commercial spaces in the Boulevard Apartments, a mixed-use building approved in 2016. The committee report says only one or two businesses ever opened there and the spaces have sat empty.
What it is becoming
Five residential or live/work units with second-floor mezzanine lofts, accessed from a rear hallway, at rents similar to the building's other apartments. The owner's request dates to January 16, 2025.
Why the economics might work
HUC analysis, not a reported result
Our analysis: storefronts that have never leased produce no income. Converting them to units similar to ones the building already rents may turn idle space into income, subject to city approval and conversion cost.
The lesson for local owners
Ground-floor retail requirements do not guarantee retail demand. Where space has stayed empty, a change of use may be worth exploring with the city.
Source and attribution
Editor's note: The source is a neighborhood council committee packet. A committee recommendation is advisory; it is not a City of Los Angeles approval.
Facts are summarized from the source above as of October 16, 2026 and may change. This project is not a Highest Use Commercial transaction. Photos of the property are available at the source.