The development company, of Padres’ owner John Moores is proposing seven acres of condominiums, retail space and possibly offices and hotels just southeast of the downtown San Diego ballpark.
It’s the largest tract under development in downtown and in a premium location, next to Petco Park, a stone’s throw from San Diego Bay and a short stroll from the San Diego Convention Center. For those reasons, this will likely be one of the most closely watched downtown developments since the ballpark opened in April. JMI Realty is the master developer for much of land around the ballpark.
The project, tentatively named Ballpark Villages, is the second phase of East Village development undertaken by JMI. Preliminary plans include three condominium towers of up to 500 feet at Park Boulevard and Imperial Avenue, which would be some of the tallest buildings downtown. Three buildings of up to 400 feet will be either condominiums, hotels or offices, planned next to the trolley tracks just south of Library Circle. All of that is currently either in the permit stages, is under construction, or has been built.
The first phase focused on areas north & west of the ballpark, including the Omni Hotel, Hotel Solamar and East Village Square, featuring condo’s, retail and office space. Now, JMI is going for the large, oddly shaped parcels they bought from San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to the east and south of Petco Park.
Ballpark Villages is planned to go before the City Council in April and construction may start by mid-2006. Some city officials wish JMI would commit to at least one office building in the project. JMI planning Executives don’t know if enough demand exists.
Convention Center officials wanted a hotel instead of condominiums on the southern part of the site, closest to the center. JMI said that condominiums were proposed for the south site due to the tremendous views of the bay and Coronado Bridge. All but the lower floors will have ocean views. Most of the buildings would feature ground-floor retail space. The structures would be positioned to minimize shading of a planned library, which would be just to the north at Park Boulevard and J Street.
The City Council recently approved DiamondView Tower, a 15-story office structure in East Village Square, after more than a year issues trying to fit a commercial use in the project. Just so you have an idea, 655 Broadway is the first office building under construction downtown in more than a decade. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 condominium units are planned or have been built.
