Historic Torrance Building Getting $17.4M Makeover After 20 Years Vacant

TORRANCE, CA — A historic Torrance health center that has stood vacant for more than two decades is set for a $17.4 million renovation, transforming the nearly century-old building into a community wellness hub offering medical care, counseling and homeless outreach services.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn was scheduled to break ground Friday, Oct. 16, on the restoration of the former Torrance Public Health Center at 2300 W. Carson St., according to an announcement published Thursday by the city of Torrance.

The two-story, Spanish Colonial-style building was constructed in 1933 and encompasses approximately 11,306 square feet. Although it underwent renovations in 2005, the county-owned property has remained vacant following severe vandalism, according to county records.

The project, known as the Pathway Torrance Community Health and Wellness Center, will restore the building and establish a facility intended to serve Torrance residents and surrounding communities.

A $17.4 Million Restoration

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a revised $17.44 million project budget on March 3, increasing the previous $11 million allocation by $6.44 million. Funding includes $11 million from American Rescue Plan-enabled capital programs, $5.5 million in state funding through Assembly Bill 179 and $940,000 from a federal Community Project Funding Grant administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The overall budget covers construction, architectural plans, consultant services, contingencies, permits, county services and equipment. The county's March report estimated the construction contract at $12.2 million, with another $1.5 million set aside for construction contingencies.

According to the county's construction solicitation, the renovation will include upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems, fire sprinklers, lighting, security and telecommunications infrastructure.

Plans also call for a new elevator, accessible restrooms, roofing improvements, exterior painting, landscaping and upgraded walkways. The completed building must comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.

Medical Care And Community Services

The renovated building is intended to accommodate two principal tenants: Venice Family Clinic and the city of Torrance. Under the county's plans, Venice Family Clinic would occupy approximately 5,021 square feet on the first floor, providing medical offices, counseling rooms and clinical services under a proposed 10-year lease.

The city would lease approximately 2,326 square feet on the second floor for administrative offices and homeless outreach services under a proposed 25-year agreement. Shared facilities would include a community room, staff break room, lactation room and restrooms.

The original project proposal introduced by Hahn in August 2025 envisioned returning the long-unused property to public service rather than demolishing it and constructing a replacement.

A county assessment conducted in October 2021 found that the building's exterior brickwork and wooden framing appeared sound, although its interior was in very poor condition and significant repairs were needed to make the property usable again. The findings, detailed in a county project assessment, helped establish the scope of the restoration.

Completion Targeted For 2027

According to the county's March construction schedule, substantial completion is anticipated during the second quarter of 2027, with final project acceptance expected in the third quarter.

The Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Public Works to award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, provided the contract remained within the approved project budget. The renovation is also subject to county workforce requirements, including provisions that at least 30 percent of California construction labor hours be performed by qualified local residents and at least 10 percent by targeted workers facing employment barriers.

The budget includes an estimated $120,000 allocation for civic art. Once completed, the restored health center is expected to combine medical and counseling facilities with city outreach services and community gathering space, returning a historic Torrance property to public use after more than two decades of vacancy.