It's that pinkish building. There used to be a Robinson's May and then most recently a Planet Hollywood there. The place would really look spacious with that thing gone.

Picture ain't mine
http://www.cruisereviews.com/images/...ortonPlaza.jpg

I wish they would give the plaza some Times Square-esque features such as cool ad spaces and marquees. Something to let people know they're at the heart of the city

SF's Union Square in and of itself is not that great...it's the activity, buildings, and shops that surround it that make it special.

...........no

I'm amazed at the lack of enthusiasm for this park and the three designs that were unveiled Tuesday. Were any of you there at the meeting? I was and stayed after to talk to the designers about them all - sharing with them my ideas and suggestions. The two ideas: Cabrillo and Landform are great! the details of the park will really be a spectacular addition to downtown.

Union Square in SF is far less superior to all three of these designs.

:previous: Well, we need some pictures. What's so great about these designs? Being better than Union Square is pretty big statement.

I agree with the comments prior regarding Union Square in SF. What's so special about it? It's just an open plaza with a stage and monument at the center. The density of the city and active retail districts to the East and South and cable cars is what makes it special. We have similar attractions nearby Horton - Gaslamp entertainment, theaters and retail district on the adjacent site. The digital art component will make this plaza nationally known. Incorporating the historic Horton Park, integrated kiosks and over 200 annual events with Westfield will really make this place a special place - all being put on in the shadows of the iconic Balboa Tower.

I'm telling you, this forum is not giving these proposals enough credit. I'll search for the pics. I should have taken some close shots of the presentation boards.

One crazy comment from a member of the public was his concern over terrorism. He gave the example of the Atlanta Olympics.

County has lowest apartment vacancy rate in nation
 

A new PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis Inc. investor survey states San Diego has the lowest apartment vacancy rate of any major metropolitan area in the country and even has a strengthening office market.

The investor survey report subtitled "Optimism Prevails Despite Economic Unease" said the average apartment vacancy rate here was 3.9 percent during the first quarter of 2011 -- a full percentage point stronger than the 4.9 percent recorded during the like period a year earlier.

The 3.9 percent figure was stronger than all other major metropolitan areas surveyed. It was followed by Los Angeles at 4.5 percent and Baltimore at 4.7 percent, according to the survey that examined 18 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.

The survey said San Diego County's apartment investment market is in a strong recovery period for this year and next and will see a significant growth in demand in 2013 and 2014 -- likely fueling significant construction in those years.

San Diego's MarketPointe Realty Advisors has reached similar conclusions, but placed the average vacancy rate at 5.06 percent as of the end of March, with a 5 percent level considered to be ideal by the industry. Even at that, San Diego would still rank among the top five apartment markets in the country.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report said the county absorbed 446 rentals in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 679 units in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 422 in the first quarter of 2010.

The report didn't stop at apartments. It said San Diego's office market, while decidedly less impressive, demonstrated some surprising strength during the first quarter of the year.

"Strengthening economic conditions, positive net absorption and a decline in sublease space are creating momentum in the San Diego office market," the report states.

The report adds that the technology services, hospitality, and education/health employment sectors are showing signs of growth in San Diego.

"In particular, the biotechnology and renewable energy sectors are attracting attention from venture capitalists, leaving these sectors poised for near-term expansion," the report continues.

It also helps that the unemployment rate has been on a slow but steady decline, currently at 9.6 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department.

The office vacancy rate tightened by a full 100 basis points to 16.8 percent year-over-year in March, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The amount of sublease space declined by 26.2 percent, while the total net absorption increased by 17.3 percent during the same one-year period.

Not everything is as office landlords would wish, however.

"The leasing market is remarkably slow for owners marketing 2,000- to 10,000-square-foot spaces," describes a survey participant.

That hasn't stopped landlords from seriously considering significant rent increases to augment their balance sheets.

"Further evidence of investors' optimistic outlook for this market is the growing use of rent spikes. The percentage of surveyed participants using rent spikes in their cash flows rose from 60 percent to 80 percent over the past three months," the report said.

San Diego's office market is presently in a recovery mode that will strengthen in 2013 and 2014, according to the report.

Retail is a mixed bag. Although many formerly empty large retail boxes continue to be refilled by such retailers as Kohl's, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and Discount Tire, the PricewaterhouseCoopers report said the retail market is still effectively in recession here and will continue to be so through next year. The report is projecting a retail recovery happening in San Diego County in 2013 and 2014.

Nationally, the report says stabilized real estate investment trust retail assets are faring the best in this economy, though malls have had their troubles. While there are many high-quality assets, few high-quality retail properties are being placed on the market -- at a time when "a flood of lower quality malls are being offered for sale ..."

In one case, Fashion Valley mall owner Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) has placed four malls for sale in Florida and Tennessee that have an average age of 27 years. What's more, it has been an average of 13 years since a major renovation occurred at the malls.

Power centers have been trading. In one of some 70 power centers that have traded thus far this year, Rancho Bernardo-based Excel Trust acquired the 325,431-square-foot Gilroy Crossing in Gilroy for about $210-per-square foot.

http://www.sddt.com/RealEstate/artic...de=20110622czf

Does anyone have info on this project?
The 450 feet tall high-rise Vertical Water Park is planned to be located in Downtown San Diego's Marine.

http://goldman-3d.blogspot.com/2009/...bai-style.html

:haha: That thing won't happen in a million years.

What a joke.

Anyone remember the giant lollipop ?

Wanna lick it?

http://www.emporis.com/images/5/2000/07/119838.jpg

LOL The giant stick shift as somebody called it. I remember that thing more than 10 yrs ago. Brings back memories!

At a time when our skyline was sorely lacking I actually wanted it to get built.

I hate to say it, but I actually kind of liked that tower... Paz-zaz and all. haha.

Who could forget this sturdy gem? :haha:

http://www.orchidsandonions.org/file...es/shapery.jpg
Orchidsandonions.org

Have you guys seen the updated version?

http://www.shaperyenterprises.com/Pr.../parktower.asp

He just can't seem to get away from the color green...

I wonder if it comes complete with a fountain on top...

The latest design looks like it belongs in a porno spoof of the Green Lantern.

yikes that looks horrible