SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[spoonman]

If anyone has something to add to the following new threads in the "Highrise Construction" forum it would be appreciated. I guess Library Circle may be a couple months off, but if anyone has a picture of them pushing dirt around, feel free to add it.

Thanks Charger Fan, Derek5, and BMFarley for helping keep the threads alive

Electra - 43 Floors
One Library Circle (Library Tower) - 43 Floors
Vantage Point -4o Floors
15th & Island - 31 & 39 Floors
Bayside at the Embarcadero - 36 Floors
Sapphire Tower - 32 Floors

[spoonman]

PS: Does anyone know what ever happened to this project? Its the Kettner/Ash site, which is ajacent to Sapphire and Bayside. It would make that area incredibly dense as Breeza, Sapphire, Treo, Grande, Allegro are all going to be there.
From this website: http://www.amanatarchitect.com/kettner.html
http://www.amanatarchitect.com/images/kettner-east.jpg
and some body posted this much earlier on this site sorry I forgot who...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/downtown%20development/kettnernight2.jpg

[Urban Sky]

plus imagine the Embarcadero Visionary Plan along with this...its gonna be nice...i agree they arent the greatest towers in the world...but these are basically only place holder designs so the City would approve the plans...;)
I still have a feeling that the design is going to get changed a little. Or at least I am hoping! Not too fond of those two...

[Derek]

^same here...NIMBYs are gonna shit a cow when they see this one(remember the NBC site...)

[Derek]

PS: Does anyone know what ever happened to this project? Its the Kettner/Ash site, which is ajacent to Sapphire and Bayside. It would make that area incredibly dense as Breeza, Sapphire, Treo, Grande, Allegro are all going to be there.
From this website: http://www.amanatarchitect.com/kettner.html
http://www.amanatarchitect.com/images/kettner-east.jpg
and some body posted this much earlier on this site sorry I forgot who...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/downtown%20development/kettnernight2.jpg

im not sure...but i like it...especially the first render:tup:

[Urban Sky]

im not sure...but i like it...especially the first render:tup:

yeah, that ones sweet.:tup:

[sandiego_urban]

This thread seems to be more active these days, I need to start checking in here more often :tup:


If you look on the site, the 1 story building, which will be a cafe/grille for the park, is just about finished out as the pinnacle sales office. I think they are going to try to get this off the ground, pending sales, by years end. The DDA states that the park has to be completed by either the end of 2007 or the end of 2008, and I believe the project will extend the underground garage under a portion of the park.
This is great news! I thought this project died a long time ago, since there hadn't been any updates on it in some time now.

This will not be any competion for San Diego's CC. This will merely serve as overflow as to what the SDCC cannot book due to its surplus of conventions. The SDCC has the gaslamp, CV has nothing.
Hmmm.....I recall an article that expressed concerns by the folks at the SDCC saying that said it may hurt their business in the future. I'm hoping both facilites can work together and be successful. Of course, the SDCC will always be the better of the two because of it's location and surrounding amenities.

How much weight would you guys give to these timelines. Looks like 15th and Island is not a joke since they're finishing up the sales office.
While the CCDC tries to keep the project descriptions up-to-date, they've never been 100% accurate.


I started a bunch of new threads under the "highrise construction" forum.
I started ones for:

Electra - 43 Floors
One Library Circle (Library Tower) - 43 Floors
Vantage Point -4o Floors
15th & Island - 31 & 39 Floors
Bayside at the Embarcadero - 36 Floors
Sapphire Tower - 32 Floors
Great job! I thought about starting up the same threads some time ago but didn't think there were enough SD forumers to keep it alive. Maybe now there are...

We could probably add the Hilton, Diegan and Aria to the list since each is over 15 floors and 200 feet.

Here are some pictures I took on St Patricks Day of a few sites and buildings planned or going up.
Thanks for posting

This new Lane Field development makes me sick...The architect should be ashamed, its a modern version of the Holiday Inn towers, which perpetuate the very image this city doesn't need, pink cinderblock towers with ragged palm trees and massive parking lots. If it's not enough to look like the Holiday Inn abomination, they're twin towers too...
Aww....c'mon, the design isn't that bad, is it? I hate that they are twins, but I think the crown is pretty unique. The base of the towers need a complete overhaul, which I'm sure they'll do as the project comes to closer to being approved. I'm most happy that it's not another Vancouver-inspired tower with a "fin".

PS: Does anyone know what ever happened to this project? Its the Kettner/Ash site, which is ajacent to Sapphire and Bayside. It would make that area incredibly dense as Breeza, Sapphire, Treo, Grande, Allegro are all going to be there.
Here's another project that I thought was dead. The first rendering looks like a mixture of Electra, The Grande and Bayside in one. In other words, it's nothing we haven't seen before. Damn those Vancouver architects...it's a love/hate relationship with them for me.

Here's a profile rendering of Bayside that I've never seen before from the Amana Architect website:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/downtown%20development%203/ash-north.jpg

[Derek]

^i thought it was dead too

[OCtoSD]

Nope, bayside is under construction

[Derek]

no i meant this one;)

PS: Does anyone know what ever happened to this project? Its the Kettner/Ash site, which is ajacent to Sapphire and Bayside. It would make that area incredibly dense as Breeza, Sapphire, Treo, Grande, Allegro are all going to be there.
From this website: http://www.amanatarchitect.com/kettner.html
http://www.amanatarchitect.com/images/kettner-east.jpg
and some body posted this much earlier on this site sorry I forgot who...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/downtown%20development/kettnernight2.jpg

[sandiegodweller]

How much weight would you guys give to these timelines. Looks like 15th and Island is not a joke since they're finishing up the sales office.
The Cosmo sales office next to the Hard Rock sales office has been under construction for at least 6 months. I walk by it all the time and I don't see any progress.

Just my opinion but there is NO WAY that Cosmo breaks ground anytime soon.

[eburress]

no i meant this one;)

I hope not -- that was one of my favorites!

[Derek]

^i like it too!


as for Cosmo Square...i pray that this one is built :(

[Derek]

when did the "First National Bank" building change its name to "Pacific Western Bank"?

First National looked so much better at the top of it :(

[ShekelPop]

Here's a cosmo square rendering from the developer's website, I hadnt seen this one before, its kinda nice set behind the Legend building like that.
http://www.simploncorporation.com/images/KPF1-C_large.jpg

[HurricaneHugo]

beautiful

[Derek]

its nice...period.;)

[bmfarley]

I hope there is no reflection off the glass and onto the field. That would suck. Say in the fall and having a 12pm start time.

[Derek]

^does the blue tinting help deflect sun light at all? just a thought

[OCtoSD]

One more projected start for 2007 I missed earlier

Pier in Little Italy
CityMark Development plans to construct a 230-unit mixed use project with 366 parking spaces on the west side of Kettner Boulevard between Fir and Grape streets. The project will contain 10,500 square feet of retail space. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2007 with a late 2008 completion targeted.

[OCtoSD]

Does anyone know the status of the north embarcadero visionary project and when its suppost start construction. Once that thing is done San Diego will feel very different.

[Derek]

^i thought i read somewhere that its supposed to start phase 1 sometime this year...


im probably wrong :shrug:

[Derek]

One more projected start for 2007 I missed earlier

Pier in Little Italy
CityMark Development plans to construct a 230-unit mixed use project with 366 parking spaces on the west side of Kettner Boulevard between Fir and Grape streets. The project will contain 10,500 square feet of retail space. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2007 with a late 2008 completion targeted.


theres a huge ad for this in Little Italy right now...

[sandiego_urban]

The Cosmo sales office next to the Hard Rock sales office has been under construction for at least 6 months. I walk by it all the time and I don't see any progress.

Just my opinion but there is NO WAY that Cosmo breaks ground anytime soon.
So this morning I called the office of Simplon Development (Cosmo's developer) to inquired about the project. I asked why they started construction on the sales office but haven't finished it yet. All the woman could say is "It's coming along". When asked whether the project is being delayed, she then said that she only answered the phone and couldn't really answer that. Hmmmm.......

[bmfarley]

One more projected start for 2007 I missed earlier

Pier in Little Italy
CityMark Development plans to construct a 230-unit mixed use project with 366 parking spaces on the west side of Kettner Boulevard between Fir and Grape streets. The project will contain 10,500 square feet of retail space. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2007 with a late 2008 completion targeted.

I drove by the site tonight. There is no evidence of anything about to happen. In fact, the current site still has the old VW dealership building and a home/garden type shop opened up on a portion of it. I am unsure if teh home/garden/chatchski store is leaving any time soon. I hope so tho.

[Derek]

i hope Pier is built...didnt one of the forumers on the last thread purchase a unit there already?


another thing...Embassy 1414...anybody got any details about that at all? the banner is still at the site...but i havent heard squat about it:(

[spoonman]

Does anyone know how tall Pier will be? How many floors or feet?

[Derek]

^not that tall...its gonna be a midrise...15 floors maybe...and like 200 feet?

[Urban Sky]

Electra from Last Night
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/urban_sky/DSC07990.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/urban_sky/DSC08014-1.jpg

[Urban Sky]

^not that tall...its gonna be a midrise...15 floors maybe...and like 200 feet?

yes, i think so.

[Derek]

CCDC website indicates 15 floors...so im bad ass for knowing that ;)...but it didnt give an exact height...

[spoonman]

Is the Lane Field Project(:yuck: ) the area on the left with the parking lot in the first picture?

[spoonman]

BTW Nice picture Urban Sky:tup:

[Urban Sky]

BTW Nice picture Urban Sky:tup:

thank you, thank you! :cheers:

[Derek]

Is the Lane Field Project(:yuck: ) the area on the left with the parking lot in the first picture?

yes

[spoonman]

Better than a parking lot I guess

[Derek]

yes, parking lots suck :)

[Urban Sky]

thats all downtown used to be...haha, that and brake depots & homeless shelters.

[Derek]

i actually want to see nice, new homeless shelters integrated into the East Village area so we can get them off the streets and have a safer, cleaner way of life downtown...

[HurricaneHugo]

i actually want to see nice, new homeless shelters integrated into the East Village area so we can get them off the streets and have a safer, cleaner way of life downtown...

i think there's a new one being build at imperial and 16th, but im not sure

[Urban Sky]

i actually want to see nice, new homeless shelters integrated into the East Village area so we can get them off the streets and have a safer, cleaner way of life downtown...

i think they need to move the homeless shelters out of downtown. i dont want to sound like an asshole, but the homeless really are a black eye on downtown. there are people who live in san diego who havent really been downtown since it was seedy and are looking to make a new first impression.
believe me, i used to live downtown. the homeless have a strong presense down there. there were days when i couldnt walk 3 blocks without being asked for change or whatever a couple times.
there are a lot of tourists and people in general walking around down there. downtown isnt the best place for these people to be sleeping (most of the time on the street) and using the bathroom (also on the street).
the problem with a homeless shelter is there is never enough space for the amount of demand. usually what happens is the shelters close during the day sending the people out into the streets and open during food serving times and dusk. This keeps the homeless community close to the shelter because they are waiting for food and a place to sleep. in the meantime, they beg for change to buy booze or drugs. and bother people.
this may all sound very selfish, but i lived down there. i had to deal with them. oh, and i also got jacked by a couple of them...so yeah. im kind of tired of that problem and cant wait until were at a point where police will actually put some effort towards getting this problem out of our city.

[spoonman]

Broadway and C Street are really bad. A lot of people won't walk through that area because its shady 24/7. Hopefully the C-Street revitalization project will help some of that, but we all know it will just move the ghetto to another area, probably toward "smart corner".

[Urban Sky]

Broadway and C Street are really bad. A lot of people won't walk through that area because its shady 24/7. Hopefully the C-Street revitalization project will help some of that, but we all know it will just move the ghetto to another area, probably toward "smart corner".

there are still tons of places in eastern downtown for people like that to hang out. but its true that there are seedy pockets of the downtown area that arent exactly safe to walk through at night. C street along the trolley IS really bad at night. same with A or Ash streets near Core. Even down towards where electra is going in on Broadway has some shady characters after 8pm. I was over there the other night and maybe it was that I had a thousand dollars worth of camera with me, but I didnt exactly feel safe. Ive learned my lesson though down there and I always carry a knife...TAKE THAT STREET SCUM!

Anyway, point is that all this construction is very good for downtown. When street corners get developed it seems to push the seedy element elsewhere.

[bmfarley]

yes

No, it's not.

This is relevant to the question if the parkign ont he left is Lane Field.

The parking you pointed out is for the Bosa tower or Irvine Co. Office building. It could be the site where IM Pei will be designing soemthing... or maybe Pei is designing AP 2?

Lane Field is west of Pacific Highway ... east of Harbor... north of Broadway.

[bmfarley]

i actually want to see nice, new homeless shelters integrated into the East Village area so we can get them off the streets and have a safer, cleaner way of life downtown...Yeah, I agree. But unfortunately some people don't want a roof over tehir heads... or are not functional enough to live under one with others.

[bmfarley]

Broadway and C Street are really bad. A lot of people won't walk through that area because its shady 24/7. Hopefully the C-Street revitalization project will help some of that, but we all know it will just move the ghetto to another area, probably toward "smart corner".There is a ghetto on C Street? I didn't know that. I am there all the time and I never thought of it that way. Although the area needs a boost. Sidewalks are in bad shape and there's virtually been no public or private improvements on C since the trolley went in.

[Urban Sky]

There is a ghetto on C Street? I didn't know that. I am there all the time and I never thought of it that way. Although the area needs a boost. Sidewalks are in bad shape and there's virtually been no public or private improvements on C since the trolley went in.

Hence the C Street improvement plan coming up this year. And yeah, there's no ghetto there. But I dont trust half the people standing outside that 7-11. Not to mention the homeless people sleeping by civic center.

[Derek]

No, it's not.

This is relevant to the question if the parkign ont he left is Lane Field.

The parking you pointed out is for the Bosa tower or Irvine Co. Office building. It could be the site where IM Pei will be designing soemthing... or maybe Pei is designing AP 2?

Lane Field is west of Pacific Highway ... east of Harbor... north of Broadway.

oh my bad, yes Lane Field is to the direct west of that site across the street...thanks for the correction...but i think the main statement here is...parking lots suck :)

[bmfarley]

oh my bad, yes Lane Field is to the direct west of that site across the street...thanks for the correction...but i think the main statement here is...parking lots suck :)Well... I disagree on that being the main point. But, I agree about parking lots.

Imo, which you probably know already, is that people should chose wisely where they live and not choose lifestyles putting them in cars for 1 hour each morning or evening. I know that is some peoples only 'alone' time, but that choice is messed up. Or, that 1 hour away their work location is the only affordable housing they could afford. Personally, that is not an affordable lifestyle for me. I don't want to behind the wheel that long... too painful on many levels.

[Derek]

i was only emphasizing the parking lots suck part ;)

but i totally agree with you!:)

[eburress]

Imo, which you probably know already, is that people should chose wisely where they live and not choose lifestyles putting them in cars for 1 hour each morning or evening. I know that is some peoples only 'alone' time, but that choice is messed up.
I wouldn't want to spend that long behind the wheel either, but it isn't wrong just because you or I say it's wrong. Some people live in the boonies for valid "lifestyle" reasons other than price and/or alone time. :)

[Derek]

^like pollute the air! :justkidding:

btw...ive always wondered who the girl in your avatar was eburress...who is she?

[keg92101]

i actually want to see nice, new homeless shelters integrated into the East Village area so we can get them off the streets and have a safer, cleaner way of life downtown...

Do you live in East Village?

[spoonman]

I don't know what you guys consider to be "ghetto", but in my opinion people loitering all day hitting you up for money, "waiting around for a friend" (selling drugs), and bums lining the street at night constitutes "ghetto" in my book. I was speaking in hyperbole before, but the more I think about it, it is ghetto albeit not textbook.

[bmfarley]

I don't know what you guys consider to be "ghetto", but in my opinion people loitering all day hitting you up for money, "waiting around for a friend" (selling drugs), and bums lining the street at night constitutes "ghetto" in my book. I was speaking in hyperbole before, but the more I think about it, it is ghetto albeit not textbook.
I'm on C Street a lot. I have even walked up and down it at midnight to see what it was like (sober)... from India all the way to 11th. In 2 years I have maybe asked for change twice. At most. I've never seen drugs sold there either... although I wouldn't be suprised because it is bought and sold all over downtown... especially along Imperial and Commercial and National and Logan.

What is really telling is the crime map created my the SDPD. It's online and doesn't really show a pattern of anything downtown... just that crime incidents are everywhere. But in the end, DT is a safe place. It's not like other cities. It's just impression.

[bmfarley]

I wouldn't want to spend that long behind the wheel either, but it isn't wrong just because you or I say it's wrong. Some people live in the boonies for valid "lifestyle" reasons other than price and/or alone time. :)


I think it was unfair to quote me like that. I wrote more.

"Imo, which you probably know already, is that people should chose wisely where they live and not choose lifestyles putting them in cars for 1 hour each morning or evening. I know that is some peoples only 'alone' time, but that choice is messed up. Or, that being 1 hour away from their work location is the only affordable housing they could afford. Personally, that is not an affordable lifestyle for me. I don't want to behind the wheel that long... too painful on many levels."

[keg92101]

I'm on C Street a lot. I have even walked up and down it at midnight to see what it was like (sober)... from India all the way to 11th. In 2 years I have maybe asked for change twice. At most. I've never seen drugs sold there either... although I wouldn't be suprised because it is bought and sold all over downtown... especially along Imperial and Commercial and National and Logan.

What is really telling is the crime map created my the SDPD. It's online and doesn't really show a pattern of anything downtown... just that crime incidents are everywhere. But in the end, DT is a safe place. It's not like other cities. It's just impression.

You can honestly say that you don't feel nervous at all walkin down C street that time of night? Comps to you. I live DT also and I hate waiting for a trolley after the yardhouse in that areal.

[keg92101]

I don't know what you guys consider to be "ghetto", but in my opinion people loitering all day hitting you up for money, "waiting around for a friend" (selling drugs), and bums lining the street at night constitutes "ghetto" in my book. I was speaking in hyperbole before, but the more I think about it, it is ghetto albeit not textbook.

Agree, agree, agree. Its great when people who don't live downtown tell us how it is.

[keg92101]

Anyone been down to Diamond View Tower lately? They have a killer photo built into their curtain wall. I won't say what it is, so check it out.. it's at the entrance!

[eburress]

I think it was unfair to quote me like that. I wrote more.

"Imo, which you probably know already, is that people should chose wisely where they live and not choose lifestyles putting them in cars for 1 hour each morning or evening. I know that is some peoples only 'alone' time, but that choice is messed up. Or, that being 1 hour away from their work location is the only affordable housing they could afford. Personally, that is not an affordable lifestyle for me. I don't want to behind the wheel that long... too painful on many levels."

Sorry - I didn't mean to be unfair or misrepresent what you said. In any case, I don't think that changes my point. Hours behind the wheel might be worth it for some people and choosing to do this isn't unwise. It's no big deal, but I did want to point it out because you are making some broad statements that might not be entirely fair.

[sandiego_urban]

Hey Guys, I started a Hilton thread in the High Rise Construction section of the forum. I know alot of you hate that one, but it's big enough to deserve it's own thread, right?

[bmfarley]

Sorry - I didn't mean to be unfair or misrepresent what you said. In any case, I don't think that changes my point. Hours behind the wheel might be worth it for some people and choosing to do this isn't unwise. It's no big deal, but I did want to point it out because you are making some broad statements that might not be entirely fair.
Choosing to be behind the wheel for 1-hour in each direction to get to work involves some quality of life tradeoffs, certainly. It is certainly not physically healthy. I can't imagine a scenario whereas sacraficing health is beneficial or wise.

Well maybe? Perhaps a scenario where the home lifestyle is worse than being in a car. I did mention that it is some peoples only 'alone' time they have while commuting to work.

[Derek]

Do you live in East Village?

no...i live inbetween Little Italy and Hillcrest on 5th..."Uptown" in one of those midrise condos...but im in downtown nearly everyday...

[eburress]

Choosing to be behind the wheel for 1-hour in each direction to get to work involves some quality of life tradeoffs, certainly. It is certainly not physically healthy. I can't imagine a scenario whereas sacraficing health is beneficial or wise.

Well maybe? Perhaps a scenario where the home lifestyle is worse than being in a car. I did mention that it is some peoples only 'alone' time they have while commuting to work.

hahaha...I was actually thinking about the kinds of people who value land, horses, and "rural" things like that...stuff that generally can't be found in-town. I happen to know some of those people and while they dislike their commutes, it's worth it to them (and not because they're looking for reasons to not be home).

[Derek]

Hey Guys, I started a Hilton thread in the High Rise Construction section of the forum. I know alot of you hate that one, but it's big enough to deserve it's own thread, right?

yes, it is big :)


and i do like it...;)

[Derek]

Anyone been down to Diamond View Tower lately? They have a killer photo built into their curtain wall. I won't say what it is, so check it out.. it's at the entrance!

will do ;)

[Urban Sky]

will do ;)

whats ur sig from D?

[HurricaneHugo]

does anybody have a good new pic of the ballpark with the projects around it?

[Derek]

whats ur sig from D?

a video on youtube:tup:

[Derek]

oh and the San Diegan is finally higher than its neighbor, the Lofts at Broadway :tup:

[Urban Sky]

does anybody have a good new pic of the ballpark with the projects around it?

no but ill probably be down there this weekend. hopefully. :yes:

[Derek]

no but ill probably be down there this weekend. hopefully. :yes:

ill definitly be down there...so ill see what i can do;)

[Filambata]

Here's a rendering of the proposed Lane Field development from another angle from the architect's website.

http://www.jwdainc.com/images/2007MarchNewsImage.jpg

Joseph Wong Design Associates

[Derek]

the front tower actually looks pretty good from this angle ;)

[HurricaneHugo]

looks better, but no twins!

[Derek]

whats up with First and J...its a big ugly parking lot...AGAIN!:(

[spoonman]

Kind of off topic...I don't know if any of you check out the other threads, but here's a link to the “What's the most shameful monstrosity ever built in your city?” thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=119127

This is my personal favorite, "Torre Velasca" in Milan. It makes babies cry...
http://www.todaviapordeterminar.com/galeria/data/media/1/MIlano_Torre_Velasca.jpg

[eburress]

^^ Buildings should never get wider as they get taller. Never. Always wider at the base than at the top.

[Derek]

aside from the roof, i kinda like it :shrug:

[Derek]

whats up with First and J...its a big ugly parking lot...AGAIN!:(

i guess its First and Island...not first and J...anyways i found this info from the CCDC website...i just dont understand why they bulldozed an old parking, paid for a new parking, and now they are gonna build on the new parking lot later this year (presumably...):shrug:

Located in downtown San Diego's Marina neighborhood.

Block bounded by First and Second avenues and Island and J streets

Bosa Development is proposing to construct a 38-story, mixed-use project consisting of 172 condominiums, 23,000 sf of retail space and 435 parking spaces on the block bounded by First and Second avenues and Island and J streets. The project would convert the existing J Street parking lot into a public plaza. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2007 with completion targeted for spring 2010.

[IconRPCV]

To contribute to the whole commuting discussion; I commute from the ICON downtown to Temecula. I might very well be the only person that does this, "Reverse commute" but I enjoy the urbanity of downtown and unfortunatley to be able to afford it I have to work in temecula, educators make squat in SD. Hey its both ways against traffic but almost two hours in a car every day is killing me.

[Derek]

^what!? how did that happen? :jester:

[spoonman]

That tower at First & Island will add some density to that area there. I can't wait to see the rendering! Personally, I hope the tower looks a little more like the one slated for the Staples site rather than say the Grande.

[Derek]

it will be taller than the twin towers that will be right in front of it...i just dont understand why they spent so much money to bulldoze a parking lot...just to put another one up :shrug:

[<ak/>]

Block bounded by First and Second avenues and Island and J streets

Bosa Development is proposing to construct a 38-story, mixed-use project consisting of 172 condominiums, 23,000 sf of retail space and 435 parking spaces on the block bounded by First and Second avenues and Island and J streets. The project would convert the existing J Street parking lot into a public plaza. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2007 with completion targeted for spring 2010.

quite nice location :tup:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j220/klepika/dt/First-and-Island.jpg

[Derek]

^indeed :)

[HurricaneHugo]

it will be taller than the twin towers that will be right in front of it...i just dont understand why they spent so much money to bulldoze a parking lot...just to put another one up :shrug:

which towers?

horizon or the harbor club?

[Derek]

oh, the Harbor Club :)

[spoonman]

That site was almost developed into a new KUSI studio and hotel before the project died and Bosa bought the land. As far as KUSI goes, I pulled this exerpt from Wikipedia:

"In the fall of 2007, KUSI was planning to open new state-of-the-art streetside studios in downtown San Diego. However, the building that was supposed to house their new studio was sold. At this present time, KUSI will remain at their Kearny Mesa studios."

Here's a picture of the building that was almost built on that site.
http://www.ccdc.com/images/propertyImages/KUSI%20010503.jpg

[Derek]

^i think we all remember this proposal quite well ;)

[spoonman]

I'm not sure who's seen this one and who hasn't as I believe some members have joined the forum more recently than others. As I recall, there were some mixed feelings on the project.

[Derek]

^true, but us old timers remember it ;)(like i qualify)...i personally liked it...others didnt...oh well...

[Derek]

what is your guys thoughts on the First and J (aka First and Island now...)on the transformation of an old parking lot into a new parking lot?(considering it is going to be redeveloped in the very near future) i dont really have any good reasons to guess...it just doesnt make sense to me...

[spoonman]

Derek, Have you been to the site? I wonder if the reason would become obvious to us if we had been there. Problem is if there was some problem with the lot or site, it would probably be fixed by now anyway.

Sorry, I raised more questions than I answered.

[Derek]

oh, its cool, but yeah, i was at the site on Friday...i remember a few weeks ago the site was just dirt and a fence was up(and i also saw trucks and heavy machinery on the site prior to this...), i thought something good was gonna happen...then i kind of ignored it for a few weeks...then i decide to take a walk and BAM! its a parking lot...out of nowhere:shrug:

[spoonman]

in the satellite pic above there is a building there. Did it go from building to parking lot to dirt to parking lot. That doesn't sound right.

[Derek]

the parking lot was in and outside of the building ;)

[Crackertastik]

you know what i have always wondered? i always remember parking near the the harbor club, and really the area is cool, but if you arent a part of the club, it might as well nothing at all. tall buildings always are hotels, condos, offices, or some mixture of that. very secluded. Why cant they make vertical public space? land is at a premium, and downtown needs park space. why cant we build the park up instead of out? one block, 400 feet high, maybe 15 levels, different parks, landscaping, art dispays, skate parks, vantage points, restaurants, running paths, swimming pools, etc? why cant they make an entire building with tons with the things you would find in your park? i think that would be a very innovative idea.

[Derek]

^that would be something cool...but 400 feet seems a bit high!! unfortunately, i dont think there would be much public demand for this type of structure...

[spoonman]

I posted a La Jolla Commons thread along with the others. Does anyone have info on any other UTC projects. Isn't there is a Monte Verde project that may contain (4) 40-floor buildings there? Does anyone know what happened to this project?