Costco is about to make your grocery run a whole lot easier — by building your home right above the store.
In a first-of-its-kind development, a new Costco with 800 apartment units on top is set to be constructed in Baldwin Hills, located in south Los Angeles.
Residents will not only get convenient access to bulk goods and the beloved $1.50 hot dog combo, but also free parking and a slew of upscale amenities.
The mixed-use project is being spearheaded by Thrive Living, a real estate developer aiming to address both California’s housing crisis and the need for accessible retail.
The building will feature a 185,000-square-foot Costco on the ground floor, along with two levels of underground parking that will serve both residents and shoppers.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and wrap up by 2027, at an estimated cost of USD$425 million. According to Thrive, the project will create thousands of construction jobs and up to 400 permanent jobs once the Costco opens its doors.
Of the 800 units, 184 apartments will be reserved for low-income households, with the remaining suites offered as a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. Residents will have access to a rooftop pool, fitness centre, urban gardens and community courtyards—all while being steps away from Costco’s famous food court and bulk-buy aisles.
But it’s not just the hot dog combo and free parking that have people talking. The project is the first residential development in the US to incorporate a Costco store into the design. And thanks to the state’s Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act, the development was fast-tracked to help combat California’s ongoing housing shortage.
Closer to home, a similar concept for Calgary’s southwest Glenmore landing that would incorporate residential and commercial development along a busy transit corridor was rejected by city council last month.
While the idea of living above a Costco might sound unconventional, the company sees it as a solution to two big problems: housing affordability and retail accessibility. Residents won’t have to worry about long lines for parking or carrying bulk goods far — just a quick elevator ride home with their haul.
Jordan Brill of Thrive Living emphasized the project’s community benefits:
“Mayor Bass has declared a housing emergency in Los Angeles, and we’re answering the call. We’re focused on delivering affordable housing while partnering with retailers who offer community-serving products and services.”
If the Baldwin Hills project proves successful, this hybrid housing-retail model could become a trend in urban areas across the U.S. Costco’s innovative approach is already catching the attention of housing advocates and urban planners alike.
For locals in Baldwin Hills, the project is about more than just convenience—it’s about access to affordable housing and job opportunities in a historically underserved neighbourhood.
And for those who dream of $1.50 hot dogs and never fighting for a Costco parking spot again, this could be the ultimate dream home.