| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 81st | Best |
| Demographics | 78th | Best |
| Amenities | 82nd | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 2901 4th St, Santa Monica, CA, 90405, US |
| Region / Metro | Santa Monica |
| Year of Construction | 1972 |
| Units | 22 |
| Transaction Date | 2022-03-08 |
| Transaction Price | $12,300,000 |
| Buyer | FOURTH STREET 22 LLC |
| Seller | ATLANTIS FAMILY TRUST |
2901 4th St Santa Monica Multifamily Investment
Positioned in a high-income, renter-heavy coastal pocket of Santa Monica, the asset benefits from durable leasing fundamentals and constrained for-sale alternatives, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Expect steady renter demand supported by strong amenities and proximity to major employers.
This Urban Core neighborhood carries an A rating and ranks 96th among 1,441 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale neighborhoods, placing it in the top quartile locally. Amenity density is a clear strength: restaurants, cafes, childcare, and parks score in the upper national percentiles, with park access at the top of national comparisons. These livability features support leasing velocity and retention for multifamily assets.
Neighborhood occupancy sits near the national midpoint, with a modest five-year softening. However, renter concentration is high: a large share of housing units are renter-occupied (neighborhood metric), indicating depth in the tenant base and resilient demand for apartments. Median household incomes are well above national norms, and median contract rents are also elevated; investors should plan for professional lease management where rent-to-income ratios can introduce affordability pressure. Home values in the area are among the highest nationally, which tends to sustain reliance on rental housing and supports pricing power for well-positioned properties, based on CRE market data from WDSuite.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show a slight population contraction over the last five years but a projected increase in both population and households over the next five, alongside smaller average household sizes. For multifamily, this points to a potential renter pool expansion and continued demand for well-located units, particularly those that balance space and price.
The neighborhood’s average construction vintage trends to the 1960s. With this property built in 1972, it is somewhat newer than much of the local stock, which can aid competitiveness versus older buildings. Investors should still underwrite typical modernization and systems updates to capture value and align with renter expectations.
Schools in the surrounding area average below national levels, which can influence the mix of renter households more toward singles and couples. Amenity coverage is strong overall, though pharmacy access is comparatively thinner; this is unlikely to impede demand materially given the broader amenity and employment base nearby.
Safety indicators trail both national and metro benchmarks. The neighborhood’s crime rank is toward the lower end among 1,441 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale neighborhoods, and national percentiles place it below average for safety. Recent data also indicates a year-over-year uptick in reported offenses. Investors should budget for practical measures such as lighting, access control, and site management to support resident comfort and retention.
As with any dense urban submarket, conditions can vary block to block and over time. Monitoring trend direction and coordinating with professional property management can help align operating practices with resident expectations while maintaining leasing performance.
Nearby corporate offices create a strong employment base that supports renter demand and retention, led by Abbott Laboratories, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft offices, Occidental Petroleum, and Symantec.
- Abbott Laboratories — healthcare & medical devices (0.4 miles) — HQ
- Activision Blizzard — interactive entertainment (1.95 miles) — HQ
- Microsoft Offices The Reserves — technology offices (3.47 miles)
- Occidental Petroleum — energy (4.47 miles) — HQ
- Symantec — cybersecurity (5.21 miles)
2901 4th St offers scale at 22 units in a high-cost ownership market where renter demand is reinforced by elevated home values, high incomes, and strong amenity access. Neighborhood occupancy trends sit around the national middle, but the high share of renter-occupied housing units signals depth in the tenant base, while proximity to major employers supports leasing stability. Built in 1972, the asset is somewhat newer than much of the 1960s-era local stock, suggesting competitive positioning with potential upside from targeted modernization. According to WDSuite’s commercial real estate analysis, the submarket’s amenity profile and income levels underpin durable fundamentals over the medium term.
Within a 3-mile radius, projections point to growth in households and a smaller average household size over the next five years, expanding the renter pool. Investors should balance this demand outlook with cautious underwriting around safety metrics and rent-to-income thresholds to support retention and operational performance.
- High-cost ownership market sustains renter reliance, supporting pricing power for well-positioned assets
- Strong amenity access (parks, dining, cafes) and nearby employers bolster leasing and retention
- 1972 vintage is newer than much of local 1960s stock, with value-add potential via modernization
- Renter-occupied housing share (neighborhood metric) indicates deep tenant base and demand resilience
- Risks: below-average safety indicators and affordability pressure warrant active management and prudent underwriting