The Uptown Commons, one of three major North Long Beach developments that include the similarly named Uptown, as well as Shaheen Sadeghi’s ambitious Canvas project, will be taking over an empty, two-acre lot at 6600 Atlantic Ave.
In a design developed by Newport Beach-based firm, Bickel Group Architecture, the look is simple and forward: lots of brick and wood are met with dark metals, atriums, green spaces and patios. The space will host five new restaurants, including the recently announced addition of Chef Fernando Valladares’ Portside Fish Company.
Already with a significant following for its flagship Irvine location, the space specializes in some local classics: they have a “San Pedro platter” honoring the San Pedro Fish Co., which happens to be opening its first Long Beach location, as well as decadent things like Bacon Mac n’ Chowder bread bowls.
The seafood-centric restaurant joins a ton of other options that will not only shift the way North Long Beach eats—from hot chicken and Filipino grub to ramen and Asian fusion—but even banks. Uptown Commons will offer the neighborhood of District 9 its first full-service bank.
Yes, Long Beach’s northern-most district runs so low on basic amenities such as banks and food-centric spaces that, according to 9th District Councilmember and North Long Beach development cheerleader Rex Richardson, they had listen to what folks wanted and had to go in that direction.
“There was no other option,” Richardson said. “We had to include the people who were disinvested from the get-go.”
And Richardson doesn’t hold back on any pride for the projects, which makes sense since he has largely led the push to develop in a neighborhood that has been historically disinvested and removed from the bustle of Long Beach, south of Del Amo.
“We’re creating a new Main Street,” Richardson told the Post earlier this year. “These two projects are kicking off the excitement and Atlantic Avenue returns to its roots as being the epicenter of neighborhood socializing. And, on top of that, we get basic amenities that have been long called for by the community.”
Brian Addison is a columnist and editor for the Long Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] or on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.