Primestor Development builds projects in areas they view as overlooked by the real estate industry, “driven by a need to revitalize urban areas,” according to its website. With more than 100 projects under its belt, the Culver City-based firm owns and operates its developments, managing a $1 billion portfolio spanning 3.5 million square feet.
In addition to retail, office and residential, Primestor is active in the mixed-use sector. Local projects include the Evermont in South L.A., a Target Corp.-anchored development with 180 affordable and senior housing units and restaurant and retail space, and the retail portion of the massive Jordan Downs mixed-use development plan. As co-founder and president, Leandro Tyberg plays a key role in managing Primestor’s operations, culture and priorities. Outside of Primestor, he chairs the board of the Diversity Builders Alliance, which he also co-founded and is a board member for the Urban Land Institute, L.A., The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and Holos Communities.
What value do mixed-use projects bring to Los Angeles’s housing stock? Why do these developments work well here?
Los Angeles is one of the most dynamic, diverse and land-constrained regions in the country. Mixed-use developments offer a way to maximize limited land resources while delivering meaningful impact. They integrate housing, retail, community services, and open spaces into one connected ecosystem, creating neighborhoods that are not only more livable but more resilient.
For a city facing both a housing shortage and a need for more accessible amenities, mixed-use development allows us to address multiple challenges simultaneously, creating homes near jobs, daily services and transit, while encouraging walkability and reducing congestion. This model works well here because it reflects the way Angelenos actually live: connected, mobile and seeking vibrant places that bring work, home and community together.
What specific submarkets/neighborhoods of L.A. are most suitable for these developments?
We see tremendous opportunity in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved yet are rich in culture, identity and community strength. Areas like South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and other working-class communities offer both unmet demand and an authentic foundation for thoughtful investment.
These neighborhoods are ideally suited for mixed-use development because they already have the social infrastructure: local businesses, schools and cultural institutions that can be strengthened and amplified through smart, inclusive growth. When done right, these projects don’t erase a community’s character; they elevate it.
Your local mixed-use projects include Evermont, L.A. County General Hospital, as well as developing the retail portion of the massive Jordan Downs mixed-use development plan. Can you discuss your strategy and approach for those projects?
Our approach to mixed-use development is rooted in community partnership, impact driven investment and aligning the interests of the community, the capital markets and our investors with a community-centric philosophy.
At Evermont, located at a major transit hub in South L.A., we’re delivering retail services, small business incubation, a Metro training hub and in housing which was developed by Bridge Housing. These are community spaces that reflect the neighborhood’s values and needs. It’s designed to be a catalyst for inclusive growth, connecting residents to opportunity through access to transit, jobs and essential services.
At Jordan Downs, we worked closely with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, residents and local leaders to reimagine an iconic site in Watts. The retail and community spaces we’re developing there are part of a larger vision to create a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood that honors history while creating new pathways for economic mobility.
And at L.A. County General Hospital, our focus is creating a Healthy Village with access to health care, housing, retail and coordinated community services. The project also includes the historic preservation, seismic retrofit and redevelopment of the 1.2 million square foot historic General Hospital.
Across all of these projects, our strategy centers on authenticity, impact and economic opportunity. We’re not interested in one-size-fits-all solutions. Each project is shaped by the community it serves.
How are your developments positively impacted by Primestor’s commitment to a diverse team, with 89% of employees being minorities and 49% being women?
Our diversity is our strength. When the people building projects reflect the people living in the communities we serve, everything changes. Our team brings lived experience, cultural fluency and deep relationships that inform how we plan, design and engage.
That perspective allows us to build trust faster and more authentically, which in turn creates stronger projects. It’s not just about checking boxes, it’s about understanding context, nuance and history. That kind of alignment between team and community is a strategic advantage and a core part of why our developments have lasting impact.
To what extent do mixed-use developments foster greater community connection in the areas in which they’re located?
Mixed-use projects naturally create places where people gather. By integrating housing, retail, public spaces and services, we’re creating anchors for daily life, destination places where you can grab a coffee, see your neighbors, access services or attend a community event, all within walking distance.
When you build spaces that foster connection, you strengthen the social woven fabric of a neighborhood. That’s the power of mixed-use – it turns real estate into placemaking.
Where do you see the future of this sector and what role do you see mixed-use projects continuing to play in the region’s housing landscape?
The future of development in Los Angeles will be defined by projects that are more integrated, more equitable, more transit oriented and more sustainable. Mixed-use will continue to lead that evolution.
These projects give cities flexibility to address multiple needs: housing, economic development, mobility and climate adaptation in one strategic investment. They also create opportunities for public-private partnerships and long-term community benefits.
At Primestor, we believe mixed-use development isn’t just a real estate strategy; it’s a community-building strategy. As Los Angeles continues to grow, these projects will be essential to ensuring that growth is inclusive, connected and reflective of the people who call this region home.
