
Costa Mesa, California 92627
This property presents a High-Potential Investment Opportunity with a List Price of $2,675,000—positioned well below the $2,547,278 Fair Market Value by -5%. Featuring R-4 Zoning on a 9,148 sq. ft. lot, this Condition Rating 6 asset offers significant development upside, including plans for a 20-unit apartment complex or a 4-condo build. Located in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, it provides a strategic location for Buy-and-Hold Investors and Residential Developers seeking to capitalize on high-density, supply-constrained submarkets.
Comparables within 1 miles sold in recently
| Address | Sold Price | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | $/Sqft | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
★ 315 University Drive Subject | $2,675,000* List Price | 2 | 2 | 1,225 | $2,079 | - |
A 215 Mesa Drive Active | $2,300,000 List Price | 2 | 1 | 818 | $2,812 | 0.3 mi |
* Subject property listed price vs sold prices of comps.
Property is land value only, full reconstruction required.
Built in 1954 with no evidence of major renovations, this property is marketed strictly as a high-density development opportunity. The listing focuses on land value and architectural renderings for new construction, indicating the existing structure is intended for removal.
The property has a large lot size, which is more than 4 times of its living area. lot size in square feet = 9148, living area = 1225.
The 9,148 square foot lot features flexible R-4 zoning, allowing for high-density development paths including a 20-unit apartment complex or a 4-condominium project with 2 additional ADUs.
The adjacent property at 317 University Drive is also available for sale, offering a rare opportunity to acquire multiple parcels for a significantly larger, scaled development project.
Lot size discrepancy between mls listing and other public or private record. mls listing lot size in square feet =9148, other record lot size in square feet = 9072. Bedroom count discrepancy between mls listing and other public or private record. mls listing bedroom count = 2, other record bedroom count = 3.
The property has been active on the market for 174 days and has required multiple substantial price reductions from its original $3.25M list price, indicating potential market resistance.
The value is heavily tied to future development potential rather than the existing 1954 structure, placing the burden, cost, and risk of city and county zoning verifications entirely on the buyer.
315 University Drive presents a high-density development opportunity on a 9,148 square foot lot zoned R-4 in Costa Mesa. Architectural studies illustrate two distinct paths: a for-sale configuration featuring four spacious 2-bedroom condominium residences with a separate structure offering two additional 2-bedroom ADUs, all supported by parking within a shared ground-level garage; or a rental-focused design allowing for up to 20 units comprised of a mix of two-bedroom and studio apartments. The apartment concept includes structured parking. The contemporary three-story design features private patios and balconies, elevator access, and a modern coastal architectural aesthetic as depicted in the renderings, which are for illustrative purposes only. With flexible development potential in a supply-constrained submarket, this property offers multiple strategies for build-to-sell, build-to-rent, or long-term hold. Buyer to verify all development standards and requirements with the City of Costa Mesa and the County of Orange. Architectural floor plans are available upon request. Adjacent property (317 University Drive) is also available for sale by a different seller to potentially develop a larger property.
No exterior & parking available.
Grades 3-6 • 1.1 mi
Grades PK-2 • 1.4 mi
Grades PK-6 • 2.1 mi
No sensitive facilities data found.
| Feature | Subject | Average Home |
|---|---|---|
| Beds | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Baths | 2.0 | 2.6 |
| Square foot | 1,225 | 1,773.938 |
| Lot Size | 9,148 | 6,573.577 |
| Price | $2.67M | $1.69M |
| Price per sq ft | $2.2K | $976 |
| Built year | 1954 | 1961 |
| HOA | $0 | $342 |
| Days on market | 197 | 51 |
May 22, 2026
$2,675,000
$2,925,000
-9% Price Drop
Initial Listing
Mar 21, 2026
$2,925,000
$3,250,000
-10% Price Drop
Initial Listing
Feb 25, 2026
$3,250,000
Initial Listing
Mar 2, 2021
$1,425,000
Public Record