I wondered about the Spanish Colonial thing too. I read that in the aricle but was trying to figure out frm the rendering what building they were talking about because they all looked the same style to me.

Alot of the project will depend on the street-level experience. I think an outdoor paseo lined with high-end stores could be nice along the bay if done right, it's just hard to envision because the renderings don't include street-level scenes. is the paseo going to have views to the bay as people walk?

i am also concerned about the number of hotels proposed in this one complex, I think I counted like 5. What is going to set them apart from each other? I guess alot depends on the chains that buy in to the project. Are they going to be all higher-end, or are they going to be a range?

I am also very curious about the museum. I have noticed this has been in the proposal from the beginning and remains now, but have not heard of what kind of museum it is??
I like the idea of a museum there, but it seems to be tucked into one of the towers.
I kind of wish the museum would be the centerpiece of the project and have more distinctinve architecture surrounded by outdoor space with all the taller hotels and condos surrounding it. That would give the central area of the project to the people of SD and not to rich out of towners staying in the hotels.

One thing that wuld be cool in the site, i think, would be an aquarium. We have the scipps aquarium up in La Jolla, but i think now that downtown is a destination in itself and alot of people here for conventions, etc. don't get up to LJ so i think they would frequent an aquarium. Especially being located on the bay with San Diego's image of an ocean city, I think a nice public aquarium would do great, maybe tie it in with an interactive museum that focuses on marine history and biology and has exhibits relating to not only San Diego bays history but the histories of other coastal cities for learning and comparison, as well as environmental exhibits on ocean pollution and the demise of coral reefs. It would be a cool venue to display photos and relics from SDs diverse past with the Italian and Portuguese immigrants who orignially inhabited the Little Italy area and mad etheir living tuna fishing
And, of course, close by have the sleek San Diego mandarin oriental hotel
:)
OK, just my fantasy for the site

Hmm....What to talk about???

^^^ Well there are many things to talk about, I just read the UT article about how some people are finding the Ball Park Village Marriot "Controversial". I must ask, is there ever any big project in this city that isn't ever "controversial". Basically San Diego has pulled off the convention center, a downtown ballpark, and what else??? Airport negative, Arena and football stadium negative, expanding trolley service negative, reworking the embarcadero and seaport village nope.....

So this city really hasn't pulled off anything *big* lately. Gaylord project... shot down... What about the huge mixed use projects that should have been built years ago by San Diego State and that thing in Barrio Logan... Still dusty lots or parking???

I don't know if the capital just isn't flowing through this metro because average citizens hardly have any expendable income like Houston/Atlanta?? Seriously how many average San Diegans have money to spend? Not many....

The annoying cargo trains?

Seems like most of us have worried about development slowing down because of the softer housing market. It seems though as if office and hotel development will be taking it's place in a slightly narrower way.

As long as the empty lots are filled, then I don't mind anything new (unless it is absolute shit).

Well I know that Diamond View Tower and Smart Corner still haven't filled their office space yet so I don't know how well the downtown market is for new office towers besides the "stunning" IM Pei Costa Mesa revival tower :rolleyes:

My 3 year old son could've designed a better looking tower, and I don't even have one!


PWNED! :)


Sorry. :(

You'd be suprised. San Diego has more entrepreneurs than a lot of over cities. It is the #4 city for the number of millionaires in the US, and it is around #5 for venture capital spending nationwide.

The problem with getting major government projects done is that San Diegans are suspiscious of local government and they actually have valid reasons..lol. As far as private projects go, I believe that it's a few people causing waves and that the average person doesn't care, just the granola-eaters in Encinitas that scream bloody murder.

Anybody know when Virgin America is going to add more destinations? I know San Diego was one of them.

I agree!! Lucky for us there aren't nearly as many parking lots as there were even 5 years ago. There are very few left with the exception of some on the outskirts. The ones that have always irked me the most are the ones by Lane Field. Those lots and that god-aweful Holiday Inn need to go sooooo bad. I'm alone in that I think the Pei Cobb tower is fine (not for Pei Cobb though) for the spot. I see it as great infill for that area. The Lane Field project bothers me more...it belongs in Florida.

I'm not sure, but I believe we were at the top of the list for Virgin.

Derek, did you go to the San Diego meet?

Anyone else excited about the Hard Rock Hotel opening?

The meet is on August 11th, so not yet. ;)

I hope Virgin America starts flying here soon. I have always loved their service and ammenities on some international flights I have taken with them.

The Hard Rock looks excellent! It fits in very well with the area and I am very excited for it.

I've been living in Orange County for the past 3 years but when I'm in San Diego I try to go to a rooftop bar. The Hard Rock is supposed to have one too I believe. The new NBC project is supposed to have two seperate top-floor lounges (as opposed to rooftop) similar to "Top of the Hyatt" as I understand it.

The Hard Rock will have a rooftop bar, so there's a new one for you to check out! ;)

That's cool, I like going down there because there's pretty much nothing to do here. I want to move back when I can :eat:

I was trying to say in one of my earlier posts that it seems like a lot of us are down because of a seeming lack of development. It seems like there was a slow spot but we have begun to get new proposals as older ones have faded away. We could potentially have NBC (massive), Ballpark Village with the Marriott (massive), Lane Field (very large), Shapery Tower (the phallic one), 7th and Market (the building thats residential looking on bottom and business on top), the new Bosa tower (at the old KUSI site), numerous small proposals that we ignore, and the buildings currently under construction (Hilton, VP, Sapphire, Bayside and others).

NBC is pretty much definitely a go, it justs needs final approval. Not as much news out of Lane Field, but I'd say that's definitely a go as soon as NEVP starts. Ballpark Village I'm a little skeptical about since it has been around for so long, but it is being revived now, with a big time player involved (Marriott), so that can't hurt. 7th & Market I think has a good chance of going up, due to its multiple ammenities it will offer and overall appeal of the project. First & Island (Bosa site) isn't scheduled to start until 2009 I believe, but I feel that that one will also have a good shot of going up, due to it's prime location, and hopefully the housing market will be rebuilding by then, too. :tup:

Shapery Park definitely needs a design review though. That thing blows. (No pun intended.)

I'm not sure if anybody said this, but the new Hilton has started to add glass and is up to about the 6th floor with it.

^^^I'm beginning to really not like that building. It's sooooo wide, and now it has ugly cladding to boot :no:

New Fence at Pinnacle Site!!
 

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and spent the weekend reading all 4,000+ posts. I live in Sherman Heights just across the 5 and walk or bike to my office near the gaslamp everyday. The reason I moved to SH was to be close to the East Village which I think will be the best part of downtown soon, as long as it fills in more East of the ballpark.

Just when I had given up on Pinnacle at 14th between J and Island, I see 2 guys replacing the chainlink fence with a plywood construction barrier. Granted, it is only around the proposed park area for now, but it is encouraging. My guess is that they want to finish the grading for the future parking garage under the park before they demo the warehouses and start the excavation for the towers. At least that's my hope. I wonder if it's possible that they will only build the park, but that won't bring them any money, so they have to build the towers right?

I have a great interest in this project because if it happens, then maybe DR Horton will want to go ahead and build the 16th and Island project where they are doing soil remediation right now. One day I was walking past and asked an engineer that was working on site when building would start and he said "fall 2008." A lot can happen between now and then, but if Pinnacle is started then that might be what the management at DR Horton needs, otherwise they will be taking more of a chance since they will be somewhat of an Island of development cut-off from the other redevelopment closer to the ballpark.

New lighting for 5 overpasses.
 

Since I bought in Sherman Heights I've been talking with people on the Historic Resources board. Here is an excerpt from a member's email:

"Hey, some good news coming your way: CCDC has agreed to pay for
lighting on the Island and J Street bridges over I-5 from Sherman
Heights to the East Village. I took Nancy Graham and CCDC staffers on
a long walking tour last month to see how we can better work together
on mutually beneficial items. CCDC agreed to take responsibility to
add lighting, plus we're seeing if we can get "landscaping" (i.e.,
maybe potted trees) and pedestrian pop-outs for greater safety. This
lighting will help squash any dumping or bad news on those bridges,
plus make it safer when we walk to the ballpark. The bid for this work
will out out in about January 2008, with results starting in about
April 2008. I'll keep you posted on that. We're also trying to get
CCDC to buy the lot at 19th & Island for a gated park, since the
decking over the highway for parkland is in the Downtown Community Plan
Update."

It's good to see that CCDC cares about the safety of those bridges, because it means they care about a walkable neighborhood and connecting to the surrounding areas. It's a great step, but I can't wait for those freeway lids! However, since they require federal money, it could 10-15 years before those get built. I need to ask her if the work CCDC is planning for April 2008 included replacing the fences on those overpasses too, because they sorely need it.

Welcome, sdperry. :)

Thanks for the information!

What project?

DVT is negotiating the rest of their space with Allied Insurance to take over 50,000 SF. That will push them to 90% occupied. I believe the Smart Corner Office portion is owned by the housing commision, and they can only lease to non-profits, which is why it is taking a little longer to absorb. It is always the tenent reps that say the market isn't that hot, but as soon as a new building is finished, at least with 655 and DVT, they are nearly full within a year. That is pretty good absorbtion for a spec building.

Diamond View Tower 90% occupied
 

I have a friend who works at Alliant Insurance who said they are done negotiating. The management has made the announcement to the staff about the move and they will be relocating in January. The only thing she was unsure of was the parking. Right now, Alliant has free parking within their own garage and across the street at an Ace parking, but parking at DVT may be too much for Alliant to bear all the costs and they may ask the staff to pay some of it.

I think some people may be under-estimating the demand for office space in the East Village. Especially when you have companies already downtown like Alliant who are doing well and have been stuck in very old buildings with little amenities.

Was the Pinnacle site also bordered by 15th or 13th street sdperry?

15th Street. It actually appears to be following the schedule on the CCDC website- start early 2007 with completion late 2009.

I had mentioned hopes that this would inspire DR Horton to build on its site next door between 15th and 16th, J and Island, but it could also be what Ballpark Skylofts and Laundry Lofts need to feel better about going forward in this underdeveloped part of the East Village. Anyone know anything about these 2 projects that isn't already known from the CCDC website?

Ah, 15th and Island! :)

I have been wanting this project to get started for so long.

The Paseo

I believe it's on hold, or that SDSU administration took the project over from one of their operating departments. I believe a state law some how is playing a role.

Here's an old aerial photo of downtown San Diego from the 60's (?) that I thought you might enjoy.

http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/sandiegoearly.jpg

Nice find! :tup:

I'd probably guess about 1967 or so on that pic. Great find Stockjock!

I found looking at the Marina area to be very interesting. You can see a park where the Marriott and Manchester Grand now sit before the harbor was walled off. You can also make out where Horton Plaza now sits. I'd be interested to see photos of what buildings used to be where Horton now is.

Here's a nice shot from Uptown from the late 1980's

http://www.gast-hillmer.com/images/uptown-1.jpg

^Circa 1991. ;)

The Padres are making me sick.

Wow! things have certainly changed in 40 years!

Where the F is everybody??? Damn slow news day!!!

This news on the far east village is very promising. I really hope that 15th and Island does get rolling. And interesting point on the East Village office space thing too. I mean what if someone built a quality 500 foot office tower over there similar to say the MGM Plaza or Suntrust building in Century City?? I think that would be perfect for East Village.

Something modern, classy etc. That MGM building is nice, I mean for a 500 footer it looks damn good. If there was one 500 footer I could take from LA that would definitely be it.

This is actually very upsetting to me. As a resident of East Village, and the number of public works project that our community requires, (cross walks, street cleaning, grafiti removal) it is absurd that CCDC would even consider using our tax dollars to fund your desires. The reason why that area, (Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Grant Hill etc.) cannot afford to maintain its ifrastructure, is because the community leaders will not accept higher densities to support it. Downtown can afford street repair/improvement because we have the density to support it.

By the way, there is no way CCDC would ever by a plot of land for a gated park in that area. For one, there is an SRO hotel across the street, and it would turn in to a drug hang-out. Second, if Sherman Heights can't even afford to pay for basic street upkeep, how are they going to pay for the maintenance of that park. Redevelopment law does not allow CCDC to pay for any maintenance, even within downtown.

Believe me, I would love to see that area revitalized as well as you would, but the community leaders need to accept the fact that it cannot flourish as a single family neighborhood and bring in moderate densities (50-100 DU / ACRE)

CHEERS

I understand your points KEG92101, but there are a couple of major flaws in your assumptions. The overpasses are not part of Sherman Heights infrastructure! They are "no mans land" since they go over a federal highway. CCDC has the money, and has a vested interest in safety, so they are paying for something that helps the East Village as much as it helps Sherman Heights. I agree with you though on the buying of the lot and making it a park. I don't think that will happen.
And I'm not sure why you assume Sherman Heights is against density. Is it because there isn't a much of it currently? There are 2 proposed projects that will add a lot of density. The first is a huge 3 block mixed use-retail and condo project along Imperial between 20th and 22nd. It's going through design review. The other is just behind it on Commercial.
Golden Hill has managed to have higher density projects within a single-family neighborhood. Why couldn't SH? Density isn't the issue, it just has a lower tax base because of older homes and low assesments. Look how far Golden-Hill has come in 10 years. I can see that happening with Sherman Heights now. I think Grant-Hill and Logan Heights will take longer, but they are next. No one is asking for you tax dollars to pay for SH improvements, it will happen naturally.

I sure hope so. However, curent zoning does not allow for dense projects. The "large project" on the S.D. Unified School District land is under 40 DU per acre! That does not tip the scale, nor can it support adequate public services. The root of the problem with the City of San Diego, is our sprawling development. Our public services are stretched. Sherman Heights, etc, needs to update their community plan and re-zone the areas as higher densities. That doesn't necessarily mean high rises, as you can have very dense neighborhoods without highrises (North Beach / Nob Hill in SF and Greenwich / West Village in NYC, both of which are over 200 DU per acre). Without this change, the area will continue to limp along.

I don't recall anyone posting this over here, so here's the NBC project's latest iteration.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...es/navy430.jpg

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...es/navy430.gif

It could be a little taller (add 10 stories to each building), but overall I think it's pretty sharp.

^It was on page 82, but good looking out! :tup:

But yes, I do think it is an overall nice project. It isn't blow my mind great, but I do think it serves as a good "gateway" to the city.

Navy Broadway
There are the additional renderings taken off of CCDC's project page (the latest files on 7/02/07, both the master plan and the Phase 1 document). http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm/fuseac...ts.navycomplex

I'm having trouble posting photos at the moment if someone wants to pull those off of there in the meantime.

Dangit - it got sunk in all that floating airport BS! hahahaha

Well, after looking at the closeups in the PDFs, I REALLY like the latest look of the project! I still wish it were taller, but I still dig it!

I seriously want NEVP to start.:(

^^^ I don't get what all the hoopla is about. No offense, but isn't NEVP just a patch of grass with a glorified Seaport Village slammed in the middle. I'd rather see the money go to putting in traffic lights in the East Village...lol

Do you have any renders of these projects? I grew up in SH so i'm interested to see any new projects coming up.:)

The first project sounds like it'll be right in front of the El Bazar/Farmer's Market, or even replacing it?

NBC - does anyone else think 5 hotels in a four-block development is too much? This is prime waterfront land and it is going to be a playground for tourists, nothing those of us that live here can enjoy :(

As Derek said, the building are nice but nothing mind-blowing. the project is good for downtown but for this particular location I think it could be much better and much more creative. with lane field nearby adding two other hotels, this will be 8 new hotels lining out waterfront - - do we really want our waterfront area to be tourist-central???