Your Weekly Dose of San Diego

Creator: OLSI BECI 

Copyright: PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOMAKER

Looking for the best things to do in San Diego this weekend? From live music and cultural events to food, art, and family-friendly activities, here’s what’s happening around the city right now.

San Diego Development Updates:

Midway District Height Limit Restored After Court Ruling [December 2025]

San Diego’s long-standing 30-foot coastal height limit will be reinstated in the Midway District following a ruling by the California Supreme Court, which declined to hear the city’s appeal.

The decision effectively overturns Measure C, a 2022 voter-approved ballot measure that removed the height limit in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area. Courts found the city failed to fully evaluate environmental impacts—specifically related to noise, air quality, biological resources, and geological conditions—as required under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

With no remaining legal options, the trial court will now issue a mandate restoring the height restriction across the 1,324-acre district, which sits between the San Diego Airport and Mission Bay.

What This Means

• The 30-foot height cap is back in effect for most of the Midway District
• The appellate ruling now stands as binding CEQA precedent statewide
• Future redevelopment efforts will require more extensive environmental review

What’s Still Moving Forward

Despite the ruling, the city says it remains committed to redeveloping the Sports Arena site, where the Midway Rising proposal includes:

• Over 4,000 residential units
• A new arena
• Commercial space and affordable housing components

City officials have stated they are exploring alternative legal and planning pathways to advance the project while complying with environmental requirements.

4th & B Site Listed for Sale — A Major Downtown San Diego Redevelopment Opportunity    [November 2025]

The long-vacant 4th & B site in downtown San Diego is officially for sale, creating what may be one of the biggest redevelopment openings in the area in years. Located at 345 B Street, right next to the decaying California Theatre, the property was formerly home to the iconic 4th and B music venue and sits in one of downtown’s most overlooked corridors.

Tokyo-based Iida Group Holdings had been close to securing permits for a 30-story mixed-use tower — including hotel rooms, office space, and ground-floor retail — before deciding to list the site. With the California Theatre property also on the market, analysts say this could become a rare full-block redevelopment moment.

For anyone following downtown San Diego redevelopment, this sale is a big moment. With both the 4th & B site and the California Theatre property now on the market, it opens the door to something much larger than a single tower. Instead of piecemeal projects, the area could finally see a unified, full-block redevelopment—a move that could completely reshape one of downtown’s most neglected corridors.

Real estate experts are calling it a “blank slate” with long-term potential — and a chance to reimagine the western side of both C Street and B Street. Read more about the listing here!

San Diego International Airport’s New Terminal 1: What Travelers Should Know   [September 2025]

San Diego International Airport’s newly constructed Terminal 1 is set to open on September 23, 2025. The $3.8 billion modernization project includes updated facilities, expanded dining and shopping options, and new public art installations.

Travelers who previewed the terminal during the September 14 open house saw updates such as glass-walled concourses, outdoor dining areas, and redesigned seating. The terminal is designed to accommodate the airport’s 10 million annual passengers more efficiently.

Key Features of Terminal 1:

• Transportation & Parking: A new three-lane road provides direct access to Terminals 1 and 2, while the five-story T1 Parking Plaza adds approximately 8,500 spaces.
• Dining: The first phase includes 21 food and beverage venues, primarily local brands, alongside one national chain (McDonald’s).
• Shopping: Five specialty stores are available for travelers.
• Art: Terminal 1 features six commissioned art pieces, a new gallery, and selected pieces from the previous terminal.

Terminal 1 represents the first phase of the airport’s ongoing modernization, offering new amenities and updated infrastructure for both residents and visitors traveling through San Diego. Read more about the development here.

San Diego Puts Historic Central Library on Market for Mixed-Income Housing  [September 2025]

San Diego’s vacant Central Library at 820 E St. in downtown is officially on the market, opening the door for a major redevelopment. The 0.69-acre property, closed since 2013, could be transformed into a modern skyscraper with apartments for residents of varying incomes, with at least 25% of units reserved for households earning 80% or less of the area median income.

Under California’s Surplus Land Act, developers now have until Nov. 3 to submit proposals for the site, which is zoned for mixed-use including housing, retail, and office. The historic building, once a cornerstone of San Diego’s downtown, may see new life as part of a mixed-income, mixed-use community, potentially improving access to housing near jobs, transit, and city amenities.

City officials highlight the opportunity to revitalize the downtown area while providing much-needed affordable housing. The property has no height restrictions, subject to FAA approval, and developers must preserve its historic elements, including the iconic exterior and public sculptures. Read more about the project proposal here.

Irvine Company Bringing 552 Apartments to University City The Plaza      [August 2025]

Southern California real estate giant Irvine Company is transforming its University City office campus, The Plaza, into a mini neighborhood with hundreds of new apartments. The plan calls for demolishing two low-rise 1980s office buildings on La Jolla Village Drive to make room for two seven-story apartment buildings with 552 units ranging from studios to three bedrooms.

The redevelopment will also include 640 garage spaces, a shared fitness center, co-working areas, a pool, public open spaces, dog park, and upgraded campus amenities. The project aligns with the city’s University City Community Plan, which supports higher-density residential growth near transit and retail hubs.

Demolition is expected to begin next spring, with construction taking roughly three years. The move reflects Irvine Company’s shift toward investing heavily in University City, where it already owns 46 office buildings and four apartment communities, and is seen as a potential catalyst for more residential-focused development in the area. Read more about the project here!

First Look: Ancora, Little Italy’s New Luxury Apartment Complex [August 2025]

San Diego’s Little Italy is getting a new luxury apartment building, Ancora, offering upscale living at slightly lower rents than nearby complexes. Located at Beech Street and First Avenue, Ancora is set to open in November 2025 and has already drawn strong interest from prospective tenants.

Ancora features 120 studios averaging 479 sq. ft. for $2,700/month, about $100 less than the average Little Italy studio. One-bedroom units average 583 sq. ft. for $3,701/month, and two-bedrooms average 850 sq. ft. for $4,505/month. Smaller unit sizes help keep rents lower while maintaining high-end finishes and luxury amenities, says Musashi Liu, Greystar’s director of development.

Ancora sits on the edge of Little Italy, a 10-minute walk from Piazza della Famiglia and the farmers market. Residents will enjoy:

• Rooftop pool and hot tub
• 22nd-floor sky lounge with bay and city views
• Fitness center and pet run
• Mechanical parking system

Pre-leasing is underway, with over 400 people on the interest list. The building offers a modern, walkable lifestyle steps from restaurants, shops, and downtown employers. Read more here.

San Diego Greenlights 101 Ash St. for Low-Income Housing Redevelopment    [July 2025]

The city of San Diego has officially approved a groundbreaking lease agreement to convert the 101 Ash St. office tower into affordable housing. The $267.6 million project, which will create 247 rent-restricted apartments for low-income families, is set to breathe new life into the currently unusable building. San Diego’s City Council voted unanimously to enter into a 60-year lease with the development team, which has two years to secure financing, including tax credits, to fund the transformation.

The project will not only provide much-needed housing but will also include 25,000 square feet of retail space and a 4,000-square-foot childcare center. While critics have raised concerns about the high cost of redevelopment, city leaders are optimistic, seeing this as an opportunity to turn a once-controversial building into a community asset. This deal marks a new chapter for the 21-story tower that has long been plagued by asbestos contamination and costly maintenance. Read More Here!

Pangaea: A Visionary Development for Chula Vista Bayfront    [July 2025]

A bold proposal called Pangaea is in the works for Chula Vista's Otay District, promising to transform the area into a world-class, mixed-use destination. This ambitious project includes a massive tennis complex, water polo academy, hotels, a retail village with an IMAX theater, and PopStroke (Tiger Woods' mini-golf venue), alongside blue tech office buildings and a public trail. Phase two could bring a 50,000-seat soccer stadium to the area.

The project spans 124 acres of bayfront property and is designed to revitalize the site once home to the South Bay Power Plant. Pangaea aims to merge sports, entertainment, and community spaces, making it a game-changer for the region.

Notable partners include Divaris Group (commercial real estate), Tucker Sadler Architects, and Provident Resources Group. The first phase will focus on the tennis and water polo facilities, retail, hotels, and office spaces, while the second phase envisions a stadium and more hotels. The development team is working to finalize a partnership with a professional tennis player to be the face of the project.

Currently under review by the Port of San Diego, Pangaea is set to bring not only entertainment but also economic growth to Chula Vista, while offering a vibrant space for both locals and visitors. Read More Here!

San Diego Relocates Development Services HQ to Mission Valley & Downtown     [June 2025]

The City of San Diego is officially exiting its aging City Operations Building downtown and relocating its Development Services Department (DSD) to two upgraded office locations: Mission Valley and a downtown high-rise at Five50West.

The newly leased Mission Valley HQ at 7650 Mission Valley Road will become the department’s main public-facing location, offering expanded in-person services, free parking, and improved accessibility. Nearly 300 of the 500 planned staffers have already moved in, with operations expected to fully shift later this summer. The space was previously occupied by Wawanesa Insurance and is being subleased by the city through 2028.

Meanwhile, around 225 DSD employees will work out of two floors at 550 W. C St. (Five50West), keeping a presence close to City Hall.

This long-awaited transition allows San Diego to vacate the deteriorating City Operations Building at 1222 First Ave, which has suffered from deferred maintenance, broken systems, and safety concerns. The city is expected to repurpose or sell the property under the Surplus Land Act later this year.

💡 Why this matters: DSD oversees permitting, inspections, records, and building regulations, essential to both residential and commercial development across the city. These relocations shoot to modernize city operations and improve customer service while phasing out unsafe infrastructure.

Old Central Library Set to Get New Life-

San Diego is set to redevelop the old Central Library at 820 E St., making it available for sale or lease. After two years of exploring options, the city has declared the building surplus land, allowing it to be marketed for redevelopment. This marks a major step forward in the city’s plan to revitalize this downtown property, which spans 150,000 square feet and offers significant redevelopment potential.

Under the Surplus Land Act, at least 25% of the residential units developed on this site will need to be affordable housing. The city is expected to release a notice of availability for the property this summer, giving developers a 60-day window to submit proposals.

While the property has been considered for various uses, including a homeless shelter and a potential high-rise, the focus now is on maximizing its value through a thoughtful redevelopment process. However, city council members are still debating the specifics of the plan, including potential requirements for family-sized units and on-site child care. Real estate experts caution that imposing too many restrictions could affect the feasibility of the project, especially in today’s challenging real estate market.

The future of this iconic building, which has sat empty since 2013, will soon be in the hands of developers ready to help transform downtown San Diego.

Ready for a Summer Swim? 800 Broadway has You Covered! 

Downtown San Diego’s newest luxury tower, 800 Broadway, features a standout amenity—the county's highest swimming pool, located on the 40th floor, 480 feet above the ground. The pool, which was completed just two weeks ago, offers breathtaking views and is exclusive to renters and their guests. Rent at the building averages $3,496 a month, with amenities like a gym, speakeasy, coworking spaces, and high-end appliances, making the premium price worthwhile for many.

In San Diego’s competitive real estate market, unique amenities like this pool help justify the high rent, making the building stand out. Despite the area’s 12.4% vacancy rate, 800 Broadway has attracted a mix of residents, particularly millennials, who enjoy the premium amenities and the exclusivity of the property.

Downtown Oceanside Sees Exciting Growth: Two Major Mixed-Use Developments in the Works!

Downtown Oceanside is experiencing a vibrant transformation, with new developments that promise to further enhance the area’s appeal. Two major mixed-use projects—just blocks apart on Mission Avenue—are set to bring a combined 562 apartments, along with new retail, office spaces, and restaurants, contributing to the continued growth of the downtown district.

The proposed developments, which are currently making their way through the city's planning processes, could go before the Oceanside City Council for approval later this year. Together, these projects represent 21% of the remaining space available under the city's 5,500 dwelling cap for the downtown area.

The first of the two developments will replace the Ocean Place Entertainment Center, which will be redeveloped into a seven-story building  with apartments and commercial spaces. Notably, this project will also revamp the public plaza, keeping it open for community events like the annual Christmas tree lighting.

The second development, proposed for 801 Mission Ave., will feature another seven-story building with 230 apartments and commercial space, as well as amenities like a fitness gym and rooftop pool.

These projects come as part of a broader wave of growth in Oceanside, with more developments already in the works, including a major redevelopment of the Oceanside Transit Center and additional luxury resort hotels. As the city continues to expand, these projects will play a significant role in meeting the growing demand for housing while enhancing the vibrant downtown atmosphere.

Both developments will include affordable housing units, contributing to the city's ongoing efforts to address its housing crisis. With more developments on the horizon, Oceanside's downtown is poised to become an even more dynamic hub for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

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