Real Estate Guide to Downtown San Diego Condos and Lofts
Core
The visual and physical center of downtown, Core was downtown’s erstwhile business and entertainment quarter, with several grand theaters and old-style buildings. Currently, many old buildings have been renovated for new residential and commercial uses, drawing people into the neighborhood to live and work. Currently, Core serves as San Diego region’s government and corporate hub. Its Broadway and C Street are prime areas for daytime and nighttime activities.
Though largely a commercial neighborhood, Columbia has stood witness to developments of all kinds. Over 1,800 residential units, 1,009,000 square feet of commercial space and hundreds of parking spaces are planned for development by 2006. Columbia is also home to the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, the Federal and County courthouses, and the State Office Building. The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan project is underway by the civic authorities to provide entertainment, dining, shopping, and increased access to the natural beauty of the area.
One of San Diego’s oldest and most distinguished residential neighborhoods, Cortez Hill is christened after the historic El Cortez Hotel. The district is diverse along both sides of the Sixth Avenue. The hill dominated by the El Cortez Apartments, downtown’s highest land mass, is to the East of the Avenue. This section has attracted residents for over a century, and the original Victorian style dwellings of the first settlers have now become part of its allure. To the West of the Sixth Avenue, the flatter area is known as Cortez West. Schools, churches and a pedestrian-friendly environment distinguish this area. The Cortez Hill district affords views of urban San Diego, Balboa Park, the bay and Pacific Ocean. The intimate neighborhood feeling, varied housing, closeness to the downtown Core and Balboa Park, and waterfront and mountain views make Cortez Hill an enticing location. Forthcoming developments include 6,000 square feet of retail space, 758 residential units and the Cortez Hill Neighborhood Park.
East Village is San Diego’s largest and most rapidly developing neighborhood. Boosted by plans surrounding Petco Park, development has skyrocketed in this district, the last to be developed by the city. Nearly 7,000 parking spaces; 1,056,900 square feet of retail space; 2,396 hotel rooms; and 2,429 residential units are planned for completion by 2006. Other projects include: Park at the Park, a picnic area and neighborhood park; East Village Square, a 500,000 square foot retail, entertainment and office development north of the ballpark; Campus at the Park, space for technology and office buildings on Park Boulevard; and the Park to Bay Link, a tree-lined promenade linking Balboa Park and San Diego Bay along Twelfth Avenue. Furthermore, four hotels, a new Main Library and numerous public improvements are planned.
Schools, a central police station, commercial services and industry balance the residential land use. This center of modern urban development is also San Diego’s arts district, spotted with artists’ homes, studios, galleries and shops. There are many projects for beautification, rehabilitation, employment opportunities, and the development of East Village as an arts and entertainment center. Former warehouses and other old buildings have been transformed into charming residential lofts. The New School of Architecture, San Diego City College and two high schools augment this neighborhood’s youthful, creative population.
The Historic Gaslamp Quarter has become one of San Diego’s most popular neighborhoods, featuring an attractive blend of old and new buildings buzzing with activity. This district’s unique architecture stands as a testament to its 30-year heyday, between 1880 and 1910. This 16.5-block neighborhood is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and its 94 historically or architecturally significant structures now house more than 70 restaurants and nightclubs, movie theaters, shops, offices, galleries and lofts. The Asian Pacific Thematic District also has a significant history in the Gaslamp, and several Asian-style buildings still stand. Currently, 95,500 square feet of retail, 334 hotel rooms, and 364 residential units are planned for development over the next three years. Annual events such as Street Scene, the Mardi Gras Celebration, ShamRock, Taste of Gaslamp, and Cinco in the Gaslamp are held in this district, to the delight of San Diego area residents and visitors. Aside from the Padres at Petco, Gaslamp nightlife is where you will find the pulse of Downtown entertainment.
Named after Alonzo Erastus Horton, the historical father of contemporary, Horton Park houses Horton Plaza Park with its historical Fountain a bronze statue of Alonzo Horton. The distinguishing features of this district include the six and a half block Horton Plaza entertainment center, which is home to over 140 shops and restaurants in a colorful labyrinth connecting seven open-air split levels. This shopping center is now a local landmark and a tribute to the creativity and history of San Diego. Today, the Horton Plaza neighborhood includes a Westin Hotel, the Meridian condominium tower, Horton Fourth Avenue apartments, the SBC and NBC office towers, Spreckels and Balboa theaters, and the Federal Courthouse & Office building. In addition, there are high-rise luxury condominiums and mixed-use residential and retail developments. Residential opportunities may be limited, but this 15-block district puts residents at the center of downtown’s activities. The area includes luxury condominiums and apartments amidst high-rise office buildings, retail centers, hotels, theaters and restaurants.
Little Italy today represents some of the finest of San Diego living: bay views, fine food, art and cultural festivities, and affordable residences. Its lovely vistas now offer an urban neighborhood with single-family homes, condominiums and apartments. A recently revitalized India Street is alive with restaurants, small cafes, galleries and specialty shops. Our Lady of the Rosary Church and Washington Elementary School remain important institutions of the area. Little Italy hosts over half-a-dozen annual festivals in celebration of holidays, music and art, including Festa, "Chalk La Strada," a Bocce Ball Tournament, ArtWalk, a jazz festival and Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter celebrations. The Little Italy Association brings the story of Little Italy to its visitors through public art displays. Five hundred parking spaces, 33,500 square feet of retail, 1,630 residential units, a County Waterfront Park and the India Street Revitalization Project are among the developments in the pipeline for Little Italy.
The Marina neighborhood offers high-rise and mid-rise condominiums and apartments, townhouses, loft and single-room-occupancy (SRO) units, in a variety of styles, sizes and prices. Marina, characterized by open space, educational and cultural sites, and its convenient locale, is a remarkable residential setting for families, professionals and retirees. Attractions of this neighborhood include the Martin L. King, Jr. Promenade; the Children’s Park with its urban forest, reflecting pond and fountain; historic Pantoja Park, the Children’s Museum; a portion of the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District and two trolley stops. Its proximity to San Diego Bay, the Embarcadero Marina Park, the waterfront boardwalk, Seaport Village, the San Diego Convention Center and waterfront hotels make the Marina a dynamic center for entertainment and business. Seven hundred and fifty-six residential units, 750 hotel rooms, over 29,600 square feet of retail, and 480 parking spaces are slated for development within the next three years. A new Children’s Museum and Park, and Seaport Village Expansion are other upcoming projects certain to enhance the attraction and quality of life in this popular neighborhood.
