Tesla is expanding in Burbank, and it's got a city charged up

By Olga Grigoryants | Los Angeles Daily News

Tesla Inc. continues to plug in to Burbank.

The Palo Alto-based electric carmaker is moving forward with its plans to expand its Burbank facility.

Approved by the Burbank Planning Board, the project will include a new dealership and vehicle-delivery center at 633 S. San Fernando Blvd. near the IKEA store.

The new sales and delivery center will feature a 5,050-square-foot sales floor along with office, a 9,250 square-foot indoor car pick-up area, and customer and employee parking space, according to city documents.

In addition, the new facility will have 21 parking spaces for customers and employees, according to the city.

The company will modify the interior of the building, which previously contained a film school and retail store, into a single combined tenant space and replace two existing driveways.

Scott Plambaeck, a deputy city planner for Burbank, said the reason Tesla is moving into the new space is because it has outgrown its current facility.

“They wanted a separate space for their sales area and delivery area for their customers,” he said. “They were trying to do it in one space, but they realized they needed more room to operate.”

Tesla didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The company’s current location, which houses car sales and a repair facility at 811 S. San Fernando Blvd., will remain open as vehicle repairs and alterations shop, according to the city’s website.

The center also has a 2,400-square-foot showroom, six supercharging stations and a 24-hour lounge.

Tesla opened its dealership in Burbank in 2015, launching a 27,600-square-foot facility for the sale, delivery, repair, and maintenance of Tesla’s new and used electric cars.

Plambaeck said the city is aiming to attract tenants like Tesla.

“They are a great name and great tenant,” he said. “Not every city gets Tesla. We want to attract them to the city and also to keep them if they want to expand.”

Sean Karanyan, a co-owner of Kings Tobacco shop, across the street from the existing Tesla facility, said he hoped the new dealership would help boost foot traffic at his store.

“People who live in this area are wealthy,” he said. “I’m hoping the new Tesla dealership will bring more customers to my shop.”

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