The Rubicon Theatre could soon have a new neighbor.
In August 2026, Ventura's Planning Commission approved plans for Loretta Court, a 19-unit apartment development at 1042 E. Main Street, just two lots east of the Rubicon Theatre, between Laurel and Ann Streets.
The property has remained vacant for more than two decades, but the approval brings it one step closer to redevelopment.
What's Planned for Loretta Court?
Loretta Court will be a three-story apartment building on a roughly 12,540-square-foot parcel in Downtown Ventura.
The development will include:
- 7 studio apartments
- 9 one-bedroom apartments
- 3 two-bedroom apartments
Of the 19 apartments, three will be designated as affordable housing. One unit will be reserved for a very-low-income household, while two will be reserved for low-income households. These affordability restrictions will remain in place for at least 55 years.
The building will feature Spanish-inspired architecture, with a landscaped courtyard, pedestrian walkways, bicycle storage, and shared outdoor gathering areas.
The proposed building will reach approximately 39 feet at its highest point.
What About Parking?
One of the more interesting aspects of the project is its parking arrangement.
Despite having 19 apartments, Loretta Court will provide just nine on-site parking spaces, or fewer than one space for every two apartments.
Those spaces will be located beneath a portion of the building, with vehicle access from Poinsettia Place, the alley running behind the property. Five spaces will be equipped with EV charging receptacles or chargers.
The arrangement keeps vehicle access off East Main Street and allows the building's primary frontage to remain pedestrian-oriented.
Still, the ratio of nine parking spaces to 19 apartments raises an interesting question about parking availability in Downtown Ventura, particularly for neighboring residents who may already compete for street parking.
The City Approved Several Exceptions to Its Development Standards
Loretta Court falls within Ventura's Downtown Specific Plan, which establishes development standards for properties throughout the downtown area.
To accommodate the proposed building, the developer requested three warrants and one exception from those standards.
Perhaps the most significant involves the third story.
Under the applicable zoning standards, buildings are generally limited to two stories, with a partial third story covering no more than 20% of the building footprint.
For Loretta Court, the Planning Commission approved a third story covering approximately 60% of the building footprint.
The third story will be stepped back from Main Street, allowing the building to maintain a predominantly two-story appearance from the street.
The other approvals address the property's narrower-than-standard lot width, the use of partially covered parking instead of fully enclosed garages, and the location of parking spaces within a required side setback.
City planning staff supported these modifications, finding that the overall project remained consistent with the intent of the Downtown Specific Plan.
A Vacant Property for More Than 20 Years
According to the City's planning documents, the property at 1042 E. Main Street has been vacant for more than 20 years.
The site sits along a stretch of East Main Street that includes a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and other neighborhood uses.
Rather than expanding development outward, Loretta Court represents what's commonly called infill development, where new housing is constructed on vacant or underutilized property within an existing urban area.
The project is also consistent with Ventura's broader housing policies, which encourage additional residential development in areas already served by public infrastructure and neighborhood amenities.
When Will Construction Begin?
Although Ventura's Planning Commission approved Loretta Court on August 26, 2026, a construction start date has not been announced.
The developer will still need to complete the necessary steps before construction can begin, including obtaining applicable building permits.
For now, the project represents another approved housing development in Downtown Ventura, bringing the possibility of 19 new apartments to a property that has remained unused for decades.
And while the development will provide additional housing, its parking arrangement is likely to generate some discussion.
What do you think? Are nine parking spaces sufficient for a 19-unit apartment building in Downtown Ventura?
