Kobe Bryant gets green light for his Newport Beach business
Los Angeles Lakers star shooting guard Kobe Bryant will be able to operate his business in Newport Beach until 2032.
A hearing officer approved Kobe Inc.’s request for a 10-year zoning change extension for the roughly 1-acre industrial site at 1499 Monrovia Ave., which was slated to change from commercial and office use to residential in 2022.
The extension will take effect Jan. 28 after a 14-day appeal period, according to city documents.
Kobe Inc. approached the city to request the extension before embarking on an extensive plan to upgrade the aging 16,550-square-foot office building.
Bryant, who lives in Newport Coast, has proposed spending more than $5 million on interior and exterior improvements to the two-story structure, which he purchased from the city in July for $5.8 million, according to city documents.
The company’s mission is to grow brands that redefine the sports industry, Bryant has said. Kobe Inc. recently invested in a sports drink called Bodyarmor.
—Hannah Fry