SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[ucsbgaucho]

Double post deleted

[Charmy2]

Originally Posted by mello

Yes that specific Ritz project must have never been able to secure financing so the city has moved on and will now take other proposals. Hopefully we still get a nice mixed use 500 foot tower with a grocery store on the bottom.

Random question: Walked around DT Chula Vista last night (Friday), it was fairly vibrant. There is a massive empty lot on the South end of the 3rd Ave strip with a KFC on it. This could easily fit 230 to 320 units. Then on the North end at E St another lot that could fit probably 80 or so. Is anyone familiar with plans for this area. If there were more residents living right in the DT on 3rd the potential for a legit commercial area is there.

ah i see. thanks for filling me in!

[HurricaneHugo]

Originally Posted by ucsbgaucho

From the SD U-T on the 25th,
"Seven years after the city agreed to redevelop a downtown parking lot with a Ritz Carlton hotel, the San Diego City Council on Tuesday decided to start over, this time putting the focus on housing for low-income households.

In keeping with a state law designed to encourage the development of affordable housing, the council formally declared city-owned property at 7th Avenue and Market Street as surplus land, a required step before it can start soliciting proposals for the East Village site.

A notice inviting housing developers and other interested parties to submit ideas for transforming the high-profile block will likely be issued the first week of May, said San Diego Economic Development Director Christina Bibler."

Probably not getting a 500-foot tower focused on low income housing.

I know we need low-income housing badly but that's such a prime lot...

[mello]

Guys the entire project won't be affordable housing just a % of the units lol. You are acting like some projects are going in at 7th/Market. So a developer probably will want to go to 500 feet to get in as many market rate units as possible to offset the lower priced units on the bottom floors. Seeing how a grocery store was previously proposed I could see the city wanting that and perhaps a hotel component. It's a full block so a lot of stuff can get crammed in there.

[TimeToBuild]

Originally Posted by mello

Guys the entire project won't be affordable housing just a % of the units lol. You are acting like some projects are going in at 7th/Market. So a developer probably will want to go to 500 feet to get in as many market rate units as possible to offset the lower priced units on the bottom floors. Seeing how a grocery store was previously proposed I could see the city wanting that and perhaps a hotel component. It's a full block so a lot of stuff can get crammed in there.

I do wonder how much a grocery store will make sense at this location. There are already five grocery stores within six blocks of here as we will soon have the Target; along with the existing Albertsons Plus, Grocery Outlet, Smart and Final, and in the other direction Ralphs plus a handful of small markets, CVS's, 7-11s, etc. Not that I'd mind another one and would help pencil a large tower with anchor tenant like a high end grocery store.

But I'd imagine and hope that grocery retailers particularly the higher end ones original earmarked for 7th and Market will look to jump in somewhere in the city center, core columbia, little italy area which currently does not have a single grocery store within 10 + blocks. I think everyone that lives downtown should be able to walk to a grocery store and that just isn't reasonable for most people that live in Cortez Hill, north of Broadway in core columbia, or especially so for anyone in Little Italy. I know at one point the block that includes the carte hotel had development plans submitted that included a 30,000 sq foot grocery store but believe that has been scratched. Does anyone know of plans for a grocery store above Broadway and west of 7th?

[Splosivo945]

Originally Posted by TimeToBuild

I do wonder how much a grocery store will make sense at this location. There are already five grocery stores within six blocks of here as we will soon have the Target; along with the existing Albertsons Plus, Grocery Outlet, Smart and Final, and in the other direction Ralphs plus a handful of small markets, CVS's, 7-11s, etc. Not that I'd mind another one and would help pencil a large tower with anchor tenant like a high end grocery store.

But I'd imagine and hope that grocery retailers particularly the higher end ones original earmarked for 7th and Market will look to jump in somewhere in the city center, core columbia, little italy area which currently does not have a single grocery store within 10 + blocks. I think everyone that lives downtown should be able to walk to a grocery store and that just isn't reasonable for most people that live in Cortez Hill, north of Broadway in core columbia, or especially so for anyone in Little Italy. I know at one point the block that includes the carte hotel had development plans submitted that included a 30,000 sq foot grocery store but believe that has been scratched. Does anyone know of plans for a grocery store above Broadway and west of 7th?

Whilst I agree we likely won't need a grocery store on 7th and Market once the target is in - I do know that the next site Bosa plans to develop is the Grocery Outlet site, so you will lose one in that area. I also can't imagine the Smart and Final over that way is long for this world.

The fact that there isn't a grocery store within an mile of Little Italy is pretty astounding still to me.

[TimeToBuild]

Originally Posted by Splosivo945

Whilst I agree we likely won't need a grocery store on 7th and Market once the target is in - I do know that the next site Bosa plans to develop is the Grocery Outlet site, so you will lose one in that area. I also can't imagine the Smart and Final over that way is long for this world.

The fact that there isn't a grocery store within an mile of Little Italy is pretty astounding still to me.

I didn't realize that the Grocery Outlet site is going to be redeveloped, and while by all impressions(I live a couple blocks away) both the Grocery Outlet and Smart & Final stay very busy I do now recall that with the completion of the East Village Green and Block F development of Makers Quarter the Smart & Final is supposed to be removed.

The main reason I moved out of Little Italy to the East Village was that there wasn't a grocery store nearby. It really is astounding especially if you throw in the adjacent core-columbia, bankers hill and cortez hill neighborhoods which still make up the majority of the 92101 population.

[JSW]

I'll pile on the sentiment that downtown needs more and better grocers. The Albertsons that serves East Village is big, but its depressing as hell in there. Ralphs is nice enough but wayyy too small and cramped aisles even for off-tourist season. Once anything is happening downtown its a constant annoyance to deal with the crowded aisles and checkout lanes.

Yes, Little Italy is in desperate need, and they should definitely plan to stick a large Trader Joes or Whole Foods at the base of one of the planned towers along Beech/Ash/A so it can serve core columbia, cortez hill, even south Bankers Hill too.

I'm near 7th and Broadway so Krisp saves me when I just need some basic convenience stuff or alcohol.

[SDCAL]

Originally Posted by JSW

I'll pile on the sentiment that downtown needs more and better grocers. The Albertsons that serves East Village is big, but its depressing as hell in there. Ralphs is nice enough but wayyy too small and cramped aisles even for off-tourist season. Once anything is happening downtown its a constant annoyance to deal with the crowded aisles and checkout lanes.

Yes, Little Italy is in desperate need, and they should definitely plan to stick a large Trader Joes or Whole Foods at the base of one of the planned towers along Beech/Ash/A so it can serve core columbia, cortez hill, even south Bankers Hill too.

I'm near 7th and Broadway so Krisp saves me when I just need some basic convenience stuff or alcohol.

You’re 100% correct. I live downtown, but I do my grocery shopping by work in north county because the grocery stores downtown are not pleasant experiences. I used to love the Jimbo’s at Horton Plaza, it was awesome having that right downtown. Since they closed, I won’t grocery shop downtown. Maybe I’m an anomaly and most people downtown don’t care, but it says something about the state of downtown grocery stores that as a resident I choose to shop 20+ miles away.

It’s interesting you call the Albertson’s depressing. That’s a perfect word to describe it. It’s huge, like an airplane hangar, and something about it seems really gloomy and distressing. Can’t put my finger on what exactly it is, but I agree, you walk in and feel miserable in there.

[SDCAL]

Originally Posted by mello

Guys the entire project won't be affordable housing just a % of the units lol. You are acting like some projects are going in at 7th/Market. So a developer probably will want to go to 500 feet to get in as many market rate units as possible to offset the lower priced units on the bottom floors. Seeing how a grocery store was previously proposed I could see the city wanting that and perhaps a hotel component. It's a full block so a lot of stuff can get crammed in there.

Still, I think the chances are pretty slim it will be another 5 star hotel project.

That’s a prime spot, it should be something a little iconic, not just crammed mediocre high rise.

And what about the Claremont hotel? As I understand it, that’s designated historical and would need to be incorporated into any project.

With that and the affordable housing requirement, and all the potential lawsuits, I’m wondering how attractive that site really is to developers.

The ritz was almost immediately assaulted by crazies suing right off the bat, and it took years to resolve.

Will years of lawsuits start all over again with a new development? I mean seriously, who the hell would want to go through that with the risk of losing it all in the end like cisterra did.

If not for those lawsuits, the ritz would have broken ground well before the pandemic started and we’d have downtown’s only 5 star hotel now (albeit with tent cities along the front).

Even the project slated there before the ritz project went up in flames.

That site is going to be front and center for skyline exposure during padres games, I hope it’s something tall and appealing.

[mello]

I don't think the lawsuits are a legitimate excuse for why Cisterra didn't get this done. The lawsuit was wrapped up in Sept 2018, 16 months before CV-19. Plus that lawsuit was just a union shakedown remember? Anyone who will want to build there in the future will just go along with union demands to avoid all of the legal nonsense.

It all basically comes down to the fact that Cisterra couldn't get the financing right? Think of all the major downtown developments all over the country that got green lit since Sep 2018 until now... Will O Wisp or any other insiders, has it come out exactly what happened with the Cisterra failure?

[JSW]

Originally Posted by mello

16 months before the Plandemic.

Can we not insert this level of BS into this forum? Mods?

[Schmoe]

Originally Posted by JSW

Can we not insert this level of BS into this forum? Mods?

Just ignore it and grow some thicker skin, Karen.

[JSW]

Originally Posted by Schmoe

Just ignore it and grow some thicker skin, Karen.

Your personal attack does not convince me that conspiracy theories have a place in this forum

[Schmoe]

Originally Posted by JSW

Your personal attack does not convince me that conspiracy theories have a place in this forum

It doesn't. Neither does whining about things you could just ignore with a bit of EQ. That said...

[Nv_2897]

Originally Posted by Schmoe

It doesn't. Neither does whining about things you could just ignore with a bit of EQ. That said...

Jobless

[staplesla]

Originally Posted by JSW

Can we not insert this level of BS into this forum? Mods?

Totally agree!

I’m so sick of the nastiness, attacks and conspiracy theorists on this thread.

I come here as a member of development in downtown, don’t want to see this nonsense.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by staplesla

Totally agree!

I’m so sick of the nastiness, attacks and conspiracy theorists on this thread.

I come here as a member of development in downtown, don’t want to see this nonsense.

Same, I’m surprised the mods haven’t removed those posts yet.

[mello]

Wow went to Puerto Vallarta to get away from May Grey I come back and people are tripping over a typo. I edited the post and will from now on only refer to what occured from March 2020 through the Russian Special Military Operation (invasion) beginning in late Feb 2022 as CV-19. I hope that should be fine for everyone here. Thanks.

In the meantime I think it was a thought provoking post, what did really happen with the Cisterra 7th/Market project. I'm simply trying to contribute to the discussion. Have a good weekend all.

[Andy-4-SD]

Mega life science development on University City hilltop nears approval


BioMed’s Towne Center View project calls for five, all-new buildings offering 1 million square-feet of space for roughly 3,000 workers.

Life science real estate developer BioMed Realty is close to securing the permits necessary to build a 1-million-square-foot research campus called Towne Center View on 33.5 acres of partially developed land in University City.

Thursday, San Diego Planning Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of advancing the project and its accompanying environmental impact report to the City Council. The action tees up approval of a rare mega development, in the works for more than two years, in the heart of San Diego’s research cluster.

“San Diego is our home, and it has been gratifying to work with our neighbors, community and stakeholders to bring this project forward with the goal of providing additional high-quality spaces that serve the needs of San Diego’s life sciences and technology sectors,” a BioMed spokesperson said in a statement to the Union-Tribune. “Towne Center View has been thoughtfully designed with spectacular architecture and native landscaping that respects its unique location, and incorporates environmental stewardship and climate action values of BioMed Realty and our community.”

Located north of Towne Centre Drive’s current terminus, Towne Center View calls for five, all-new buildings offering 1 million square-feet of space for roughly 3,000 workers in structures that are two to six stories high. The project site is perched atop a hilltop that is already more than 330 feet above sea level, meaning workers will enjoy sweeping views from inside and outside buildings.

Towne Center View also features 2,500 parking spaces, cafes, a market, a fitness center, sports fields and courts, rooftop terraces, conference spaces, walking trails, overlooks, bike parking and repair stations, and seven acres of open space.

The project, which requires a community plan amendment and several other permits, will produce more than 2 million square feet of development when counting the square footage of balconies, rooftop decks and parking garages.

“I think it’s a great project. I think it’s beautifully designed,” Planning Commissioner Kelly Moden said.

Founded and headquartered in San Diego since 2004, BioMed Realty Trust specializes in building research and lab space for life science and biotech firms. The company owns and operates 16.4 million square feet of real estate spread across San Diego, the greater Boston area, San Francisco, Seattle, Boulder and Cambridge, U.K. It was acquired by Blackstone in 2016 in a transaction valued at $8 billion when including debt.

Towne Center View boasts a nearly unrivaled location for ground-up, life science construction, taking advantage of a large plot of land in the space-constrained University City region that was graded years ago for a previously entitled, smaller project but left undeveloped.

BioMed, which declined to share its total project cost, purchased the 21.8-acre undeveloped, northern portion of the project site at the end of Towne Center Drive for $100 million in September 2022 from Cush Enterprises, public records show. The firm already owned the southern portion of the project site, which is developed with three buildings leased to Union Bank and genetic screening company Helix. The existing buildings will be demolished to accommodate Towne Center View.

Towne Center View’s design plays off the environmental landscape with sculptural building forms and transparent facades said to be inspired by the topography of the surrounding canyon. Buildings were also shaped and placed in locations meant to maximize views from a variety of vantage points, the developer said. Plus, a central courtyard with cafes and a market, as well as a northern terrace overlooking the recreation fields and canyon should draw people outside.

“Tenants are encouraged to work, and to play and to interact outdoors. This is a project where we’ve really given equal weight to the outdoor program as we have to the program inside the buildings,” Kelly Schnell, a project architect with Perkins and Will, told the Planning Commission. “I just can’t emphasize enough how much consideration and appreciation of the context was really (BioMed’s) guiding light in this design process. We understand this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity.”

Although the project is located in an environmentally sensitive area with steep hillsides and animal habitats, the city of San Diego’s development services department determined in its environmental impact report that the project would only result in significant impacts to transportation. The analysis estimates that the project will result in 32.6 vehicle miles traveled per employee daily, which is greater than the regional mean of 25.9 miles per employee.

As such, BioMed is required to cut vehicle miles traveled by more than 32 percent to reduce the transportation impact to below a level of significance. The developer has agreed to implement a number of mitigation measures. It will charge for parking, as well as provide bike facilities, subsidized transit passes, carpool priority parking and an employee shuttle to the UTC transit station. BioMed will have to report its progress to the city on an annual basis, relying on trip count data and information from employee surveys to measure vehicle miles traveled. The firm will face fines if the reduction tactics aren’t working.

The developer declined to share information on its timeline. Construction will likely occur in phases over a more than five-year period, according to project materials.