Downtown is the most dynamic neighborhood in San Diego, and multiple changes to the skyline are on the horizon. Here are some of the planned developments around town residents and businesses are keeping an eye on.

Little Italy

Amid all the bustling restaurants, bars and tasting rooms, Little Italy has a planned 163,000 square foot mixed-use building which is sure to bring more attention to San Diego’s hottest district. Later this year construction is slated to begin on this office/retail project which features high ceiling, indoor-outdoor retail spaces which can be delivered by December 2020. The Kilroy Realty project also takes advantage of the Little Italy’s scenery and also offers outdoor work-spaces and lounge areas. The eclectic brick and steel construction will fit right into the neighborhood and should attract many companies whose workforce will value the many amenities in the neighborhood. 2100 Kettner’s office space is scheduled to be delivered March of 2020, and will include underground parking at 1.5 spaces/1,000 square feet; a higher ratio than many Downtown competitors.

Columbia District

Manchester’s Pacific Gateway, a $1.5 Billion redevelopment of 12 acres of land along San Diego’s waterfront has broken ground and is scheduled to be complete by 2021. This seven building complex will also feature a 4.5 acre open space park and 1.1 million square feet of office space, almost 400,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space and 2400 subterranean parking spaces.

Rendering of Portside Pier courtesy of Tucker Sadler

Portside Pier is underway following the demolition of Anthony’s Fish Grotto, a longtime San Diego institution. In its place will be a two story, 42,000 square foot structure and promenade with a viewing deck and a 12 boat dock-and-dine facility allowing boaters to access the project’s future restaurants: Brigantine on the Bay, Miguel’s Cocina, Ketch Grill & Taps and Portside Coffee & Gelato. The project is expected to open in late 2019.

Marina District

Redevelopment of Seaport Village, slated to begin by 2022, is still meandering through planning stages with the Port District. The 70 acre site has plans to become a mixed use project including a 5 star 237 room hotel (367,964 square feet), office spaces (144,987 square feet) , a 237 room hostel, a learning center (65,150 square feet), a 480 foot observation tower and even an 192,050 square foot aquarium. This project has the potential to drastically change the future of San Diego’s skyline and the way tourists interact with the Marina district.

Gaslamp District

Rendering of 777 Front courtesey of Bosa Development

The big news here is the sale and future redevelopment of Horton Plaza and 777 Front Street. Stockdale Capital Partners are in escrow (their money has gone non-refundable) to buy the aging retail project with the plan to remove part of the structure and build a modern 900,000 square foot office building. The remaining retail space will be reconfigured and refinished for a more enjoyable shopping experience. Bosa Properties plans to convert the adjacent outdated retail building at 777 Front Street into an 162,000 square foot creative office project with an attractive glass and steel aesthetic. Hoping to capitalize on the wave of reorganization led by many of their multi-family projects downtown, Bosa’s latest project will cater to technology companies and will have a fitness center, courtyard with seating, gaming and other amenities. Interior demolition has already begun and delivery is slated for late 2019.

East Village

The most active development area in Downtown San Diego, East Village has office, retail, and multi-family projects in every stage of construction. Out of the 2,900 multi-family projects in the works, many of them are in East Village and include affordable housing options like Affirmed’s project on 17th St, Chelsea’s project on 13th St., and Nook East Village’s micro-apartments. New retail projects like PunchBowl Social and public spaces planned by Makers Quarter will increase demand for the area and support greater shopping and restaurant operations.

Hotel development is also underway with the Ritz Carlton, San Diego’s first five-star hotel. Along with the 160 room hospitality offering, the Ritz will sell market rate residences and low-income rental units on opposite sides of the hotel. Bordered by 7th and 8th avenues & Market and Island the project should be complete by early 2022 and include 156,000 square feet of office space.

UCSD’s downtown facility, currently underway, is located between Park and 11th, and Market and G Street. The 34 story apartment will contain 426 apartments, an amphitheater, a four story (66,000 square feet) USCD building and leave The Historic Remen House at the corner. This facility will bring together business, art and community groups as well as faculty and students. Delivery of the project scheduled completion in early 2021 with the hope that concerts, art exhibits and seminars will be open to the public by summer 2021.

Jamal Brown is the CEO of The Ocean Company, an exclusive tenant representation firm with offices in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles focusing on the leasing and acquisition of commercial real estate.