Does anybody know what's going on with the freeway pad next to Camino del Rio North and Qualcomm Way?

Lots of construction recently.

I'm hoping for something as tall as the valley's rim but i'll settle for a chick-fil-a lol

Not sure about that project. Would love to hear from someone that knows.

I did see that ground has actually been broken on the Pendry. Finally!

This is your answer...

http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/com.../14septmin.pdf

3. Qualcomm/Camino Del Rio N project
Marco Sessa, from Sudberry Properties introduced developers and architects for the development around Qualcomm Way and Camino Del Rio, called Discovery Place.
The project meets the existing zoning regulations so the project was not brought before the MVPG for approval.
The site will be composed of three businesses:
 A drive through Starbucks
 An ifly indoor skydiving business
 A 135 room Springhill suites hotel

I would expect a Springhill Suites to be somewhere between 4-6 floors.

Banker's Hill / Hillcrest area update
 

Took a walk on mostly 5th & 6th streets from my place on Kalmia up to University. Of note:

Still nothing going on at the Mandaran:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...n_20141104.jpg

Hole at the Vue much bigger with barriers butted up against the neighbors:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...e_20141104.jpg

Broadstone project continuing with a super ugly white, brown, and black bricklike facing installed then removed:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...e_20141104.jpg

The refurb of the old Red Cross building well underway with some outer glass removed to form porches:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...g_20141104.jpg

The ugliest building in Hillcrest: raw cinderblock:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...g_20141104.jpg

When will this ever be torn down?
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...s_20141104.jpg

The roof at 3641-49 Sixth is inexplicably slanted to the north, unperfect for solar:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...h_20141104.jpg

I passed a zillion nail / hair salons and made a collage of the 16 I found on my short route:
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...e_20141104.jpg

15th and Island
 

Picture taken shortly before sunset... a major expansion of the city! This tower must be near topping out.
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San...d_20141104.jpg

Note the two men at the end of the concrete pump.
http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/San..._20141104b.jpg

Nice shot, TJ looks wildly close from that zoomed-in perspective! I was doing some work from the library today and tried to count the floors, I counted 40. So 5 more to go?

Right. About 5-6 floors plus the mechanical/crown which adds the equivalent of about 3 floors in height. Should be about 2/3 of the way to the crane arm when topped out (in my estimation)

Article on a Marriott Courtyard (14 floors) under construction next to the Solamar on 6th Ave.

http://www.examiner.com/article/new-...aslamp-6th-ave

Oh my God, not Mr.Googletranslate again...

Also, puzzle, thank you for the photo updates!

:haha::haha::haha:

Dear god...it's painful to read his articles.

The glass facade on Sempra Energy is going up and it really looks fantastic. I'll try to snap a couple shots when I'm in the neighborhood tomorrow.

Also, the Montage at 5th is now completely surrounded in the construction fence and demo is underway.

Finally have a hard deadline for the North Embarcadero project:

https://www.portofsandiego.org/north...rst-phase.html

I really like what Sempra energy will do at the ground level with the expansive glass on the ground floors. Seeing it really contrasts with the residential construction that dominates in EV and makes me realize how lop-sided the "mixed-use" is in terms of very little office space. A building design that's not constrained by having to include a patio for every unit ;)

With that said, I am pretty disappointed with the height of the Sempra building. I'm not one of those people who thinks every parcel of land needs to erect the highest thing it can, but I do think a taller tower there would have added some better contrast. Sempra seems to be leveling out where a lot of the surrounding buildings have contributing even more to SD's "plateau" skyline.

I like the old red cross building's conversion to lofts. I was looking at their website the other day and the interiors look pretty cool. Great way to re-purpose an existing building.

I miss the old school mandarin house with its 70's decor and Americanized Chinese food.

:)

I used to live right by this, what has replaced it?

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but is there anything planned for the parking lot at 5th and J? I can't believe it's still a freaking parking lot.

Just broke ground on this:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...green-gaslamp/

SDCAL: I think we are all a bit disappointed with the height of Sempra but 7th and Market directly behind it almost a sure bet to be taller than 400 feet and the new Hilton going in at 24 floors close by will give a good variety of height to that area. I was really hoping the Sempra building would be mixed use and add a hotel component on top to bring the height up significantly.

Do you guys think this Embarcadero Phase 1 is really a game changer? How much will it transform the waterfront? Maybe once Lane Fields park is complete it will all fit in much better.

Also what about an MLS Stadium at the MTS Busyard? Would you be willing to sacrifice downtown space for that? More home games and international friendly matches too. If not downtown where would be a good place for MLS Soccer Specific Stadium? Chula Vista Bayfront? Convince DOD to give up the 120 acre lot on the very NW Corner of Miramar road right before the 805?

Agree with Mello. Wish Sempra was taller, but I there are so many other buildings going in that area, there will be some good varied heights and a TON of density. That area is already pretty solid, and now Pendry (12fl), Hilton(20+fl), Sempra (16fl), Coutryard (14fl) and 7th & market (40fl?) are all being added.