Marina del Rey has quietly transformed from a waterfront residential enclave into one of Los Angeles County’s most strategic business locations. With over 6,000 businesses calling the 90292 area home, the Marina del Rey business district offers something increasingly rare in LA: accessibility, affordability, and coastal quality of life in a single location.

The Silicon Beach Advantage Without the Santa Monica Premium

While Santa Monica commands lease rates between $5-7/SF for creative office space, Marina del Rey properties in the Glencoe-Maxella corridor deliver comparable amenities at $3.50-4.50/SF. This 40-50% cost differential has driven a migration of tech startups, post-production studios, and digital agencies from the saturated Playa Vista and Santa Monica markets into Marina del Rey’s more affordable business district.

What Makes Marina del Rey Different from Other Westside Markets?

• Freeway Access: Direct connection to the Marina (90) Freeway provides 15-minute access to LAX and connects to the 405 without surface street congestion. Compare this to Santa Monica’s gridlocked Lincoln Boulevard or Playa Vista’s single-entrance traffic bottlenecks.
• Parking Reality: Most Marina del Rey commercial buildings include dedicated parking at no additional cost. In Santa Monica, parking adds $150-300/space monthly. For a 20-person team, that’s $36,000-72,000 in annual savings.
• Flexible Zoning: The Glencoe-Maxella Specific Plan zone allows mixed commercial uses without the restrictive covenants common in nearby office parks. This means a tech company can operate alongside a production studio or design agency without HOA interference.
• Infrastructure: Marina del Rey’s proximity to major fiber optic trunk lines means enterprise-grade connectivity (1-100 Gbps) is readily available, making it ideal for data-intensive operations, cloud infrastructure companies, and digital content creators.

Marina del Rey’s Three Primary Business Corridors

1. Glencoe-Maxella District (The Tech & Creative Hub)

Bounded by Maxella Avenue and Glencoe Avenue, this area hosts the highest concentration of tech offices, creative agencies, and production companies. Buildings here typically feature:

• High-capacity electrical systems (200-400 amp service)
• Dedicated fiber optic connections
• Ceiling heights of 10-14 feet for open-plan layouts
• Private parking compounds

Average Lease Rate: $3.50-4.25/SF NNN

2. Lincoln Boulevard Corridor (Professional Services)

The Lincoln Boulevard spine attracts law firms, financial services, medical offices, and consulting practices. Properties here offer:

• Traditional office layouts with private offices and conference rooms
• Retail visibility for client-facing businesses
• Immediate freeway access

Average Lease Rate: $3.75-5.00/SF NNN

3. Fiji Way & Waterfront District (Hospitality & Marine Services)

Closest to the marina itself, this corridor serves marine-related businesses, restaurants, and hospitality services. Less relevant for traditional office users but important for understanding the district’s economic diversity.

The Commute Question: Why Marina del Rey Wins

For companies competing for talent across Los Angeles, Marina del Rey offers the rare advantage of being accessible from multiple residential zones:

Origin Point	Drive Time to Marina del Rey	Drive Time to Santa Monica	Drive Time to Playa Vista
Downtown LA	25 min (via 10 Fwy)	35-45 min	30 min
Culver City	12 min	18 min	8 min
South Bay (Torrance)	18 min (via 405)	28 min	22 min
LAX Airport	8 min	15 min	10 min
West LA	15 min	20 min	18 min

Times based on average weekday morning commute (8-9 AM)

Amenities That Matter: The Marina Marketplace Factor

One of Marina del Rey’s hidden advantages is the Marina Marketplace, a 200,000+ SF retail and dining center within walking distance of most Glencoe-Maxella offices. Unlike Playa Vista’s corporate cafeterias or Santa Monica’s tourist-heavy Third Street Promenade, the Marketplace serves as an actual business district amenity with:

• Restaurants for client meetings: Killer Shrimp, Mendocino Farms, The Warehouse, and over 20 other options
• Everyday services: Trader Joe’s, CVS, banks, dry cleaning, and a post office
• Fitness options: Equinox, CorePower Yoga, and boutique studios
• After-work lifestyle: Waterfront bars and entertainment without leaving the area

This walkability factor directly impacts employee retention. In surveys of Silicon Beach workers, proximity to daily amenities consistently ranks above office perks as a workplace preference factor.

Who’s Already Here: Marina del Rey’s Business Mix

Marina del Rey’s business district hosts an eclectic mix of industries, reflecting its status as a true “flex zone” rather than a monoculture tech park:

• Technology & Software: SaaS startups, app developers, cloud infrastructure companies
• Digital Agencies: Marketing firms, social media agencies, SEO companies
• Production & Post: Video production houses, audio studios, VFX shops
• Architecture & Design: Firms taking advantage of high ceilings and natural light
• Professional Services: Legal, accounting, consulting practices serving Westside clients
• Health & Wellness: Physical therapy, mental health practices, wellness brands

Future Development: What’s Coming to Marina del Rey

Several major projects are reshaping Marina del Rey’s commercial landscape:

• Marina del Rey Hotel Redevelopment: Plans for additional mixed-use space along Admiralty Way
• Glencoe-Maxella Streetscape Improvements: County of LA funding for pedestrian infrastructure upgrades
• EV Charging Expansion: Multiple properties adding Level 2 and DC fast charging stations
• Fiber Infrastructure: Ongoing dark fiber installations increasing connectivity options

The Real Estate Math: Why Marina del Rey Makes Financial Sense

Let’s compare the total occupancy cost for a hypothetical 25-person company across three Westside locations:

Cost Factor	Marina del Rey (5,000 SF)	Santa Monica (5,000 SF)	Playa Vista (5,000 SF)
Base Rent	$17,500/mo ($3.50/SF)	$27,500/mo ($5.50/SF)	$23,750/mo ($4.75/SF)
NNN (estimated)	$4,500/mo	$6,000/mo	$5,500/mo
Parking (25 spaces)	$0 (included)	$4,500/mo ($180/space)	$2,500/mo ($100/space)
Total Monthly Cost	$22,000	$38,000	$31,750
Annual Savings vs. Comparison	Baseline	$192,000 more/year	$117,000 more/year

For a startup or growing company, that $117,000-192,000 annual difference represents 2-3 full-time employees or significant runway extension.

Marina del Rey Business District FAQ

Is Marina del Rey considered part of Silicon Beach?

Yes, Marina del Rey is technically part of the broader Silicon Beach ecosystem, which spans from Marina del Rey through Playa Vista and Santa Monica. However, Marina del Rey maintains its own distinct identity with lower rents and better parking than the more established Silicon Beach submarkets.

What’s the typical lease term for Marina del Rey office space?

Most landlords prefer 3-5 year leases, though shorter terms (1-2 years) are sometimes available for smaller spaces. Longer-term leases often include rent abatement or tenant improvement allowances.

Does Marina del Rey have good public transportation?

Marina del Rey is served by several Metro bus lines connecting to Culver City, Santa Monica, and LAX. However, most commuters drive due to LA’s car-centric layout. The future LAX people mover system will improve transit access to the airport.

What internet providers serve Marina del Rey businesses?

Spectrum Business is the primary provider, offering fiber connections up to 100 Gbps for commercial accounts. AT&T fiber is available in select buildings. Many properties also have access to Level 3 and other carrier-grade networks.

Are there coworking spaces in Marina del Rey?

Yes, several coworking operators have locations in Marina del Rey, including national brands and local providers. However, many companies find that private office space at Marina del Rey rates is more cost-effective than coworking memberships for teams of 5+.

How does Marina del Rey zoning compare to nearby areas?

Marina del Rey falls under LA County jurisdiction (not City of LA), which often means faster permitting and fewer restrictions for tenant improvements. The Glencoe-Maxella Specific Plan zone is particularly flexible for creative and tech uses.

Ready to Explore Marina del Rey Office Space?

Whether you’re a tech startup seeking affordable square footage, a creative agency needing production-ready infrastructure, or an established firm looking to optimize occupancy costs, Marina del Rey’s business district offers a compelling alternative to pricier Westside markets.

View available property at 13360 Beach Ave →