Home » Archive by Category "May 2011"

It’s Surf Dog Competition Time Again!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w392ZszVro

As an owner of a downtown San Diego loft or condo, you know that humans are not the only inhabitants of our buildings just by your time spent in the elevators. Downtown San Diegans LOVE their dogs and becuase of this undying devotion you need to get yourself, and your hound, out of downtown San Diego to hit the beach and catch some waves, or at least some good laughs, at this annual event.

On Saturday, June 4th, from 10-2pm man (and woman’s) best friend will be treated to one of a kind entertainment at Lowe’s 6th Annual Coronado Bay Surf Dog Competition. And let’s be honest, this is going to be pure entertainment for you too. Pooches from all over the nation trot to this event all in the name of a good cause. This year’s fundraising efforts will benefit classrooms in dire need of supplies and if that doesn’t get you out to Dunes Park/Beach for this competition, then rewatch the video. Plus from the looks of this event, it’s going to be a really good time for human and canine!


Waterfront Park approved in Downtown San Diego

Waterfront Park approved in Downtown San DiegoWant to have a place to dip your toes into water while strolling along the Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego? Well…you might not have to wait too long. Plans for two parks located on each side of the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego has been approved by the County Board of Supervisors.

The parking lots on the north and south sides of the administration building will be converted to 8 acres of parks with the center piece consisting of two shallow pools running the west front of the county building. The water for the pools will come from the buildings cooling system. The 1950’s Askew health department building currently on the north side of the building will be demolished over the next few months. Construction of an $18 million underground parking garage will take place on the south side of the building.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2013 at a total cost of $42 million and will be funded by Downtown redevelopment funds already disbursed to the County of San Diego.

To read the San Diego Union Tribune’s article click on County gives final approval to waterfront park and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about other projects click on New high-rise is on the horizon in Downtown San Diego and Mayor propose plan to finance the San Diego Convention Center Expansion.


East Village in Downtown San Diego is a popular place to buy a Condo or Loft

East Village in Downtown San Diego is a popular place to buy a Condo or Loft

As I am sure you already know…the resale market is taking over in Downtown San Diego. Going from a total Developer sale market to the pure resale market is something we have never seen before. The graph above is showing us Condos & Lofts sold by the 7 different neighborhoods in Downtown during the 1st quarter of 2011. The East Village/Ballpark District is totally on first place with 73 homes sold where the biggest amount were resales. The Columbia District, the Little Italy District and the Marina District are not far apart with a total of 47 vs. 49 vs. 46 homes sold but still a long way behind the East Village.

So why is this? Well…I think because of the East Village being the newest neighborhood in Downtown where 1400 units came up for sale at pretty much the same time led the Developer to a point where they had to sell to low prices. With only so many Developer units left, we saw the prices decline and no one wanted to miss out on this deal. This happened during the last year in Park Terrace, The Legend, Alta and The Mark.

To read and to compare other Downtown San Diego Real Estate graphs click on Cash buyers are investing in Downtown San Diego Real Estate and Resales are coming back strong in Downtown San Diego.


New high-rise is on the horizon in Downtown San Diego

New high-rise is on the horizon in Downtown San DiegoIts quite funny looking back to the year of 2002 where I see myself standing on A Street on the border of the Little Italy District and the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego saying to my clients; there will be at least 10 towers built right here that will outline the skyline of Downtown San Diego.

I am sure they thought I was a little crazy.but was I right or was I wrong? Well..we do have The Grande North and South, Bayside, Electra, Treo, Sapphire, the new Bosa tower, the approved Columbia Tower Hotel, the approved 880 W Broadway Project and the approved Lane Field Project which gives us the total amount of 10. I say it again.there will be one more high-rise built in Downtown San Diego starting 2013.trust me on this one.

Downtown San Diego’s most prolific condo builder, Bosa Development, has won approval to build a 36 floor 285 unit at Kettner Blvd. and Ash St. on the boarder of the Little Italy and Columbia Districts and is estimated to have a value of $250 million. The last Bosa Development built was Bayside in 2008 located on Harbor Drive overlooking the Embarcadero in the Columbia District.

Nat Bosa, in San Diego on vacation with his family, has stated that he is proceeding now because the inventory of new Condos in Downtown San Diego is at a low point and values should equal or exceed pre-recession levels by the time his project opens in 2015. Construction is expected to begin in 2013 after the permit process is completed. Pricing for the new tower has not been determined yet and Bosa is targeting Buyers seeking the newest in amenities and upgrades.

To read San Diego Union Tribune’s article click on Condo high-rise approved, completion in 2015 and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about other projects click on Mayor propose plan to finance the San Diego Convention Center Expansion, Balboa Park in Downtown San Diego might become more pedestrian friendly. and Pacific Gateway in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego is moving forward.


Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay

Living in downtown San Diego promotes a lifestyle of reveling in the outdoors and Humphrey’s Concerts By the Bay is a perfect twist on that concept.

Live music in an outdoor venue on a warm summer night? Sign me up! These dreamy evenings run May through October in this 1,400 seat theater on the bay. With performances from a wide music spectrum, there is something for every music lover out there. There is also something for every big (or conservative) spender out there too.

With dinner packages at Humphrey’s Restaraunt running $65 plus the price of a concert ticket to premium packages including overnight accomodations at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn, you are bound to have a delightful evening. I’m telling you, owning a downtown San Diego condo is a perk-filled investment.

Enjoy!


Cash buyers are investing in Downtown San Diego Real Estate

Financing is leading the way for purchases of Condos & Lofts in Downtown San Diego

So as you can see in the graph above…financing lead the way with a total of 135 purchases of condos & lofts in Downtown San Diego out of the 256 that was sold in the first quarter of 2011. Not too far behind were 121 cash deals…which is pretty amazing. It seems as if there are a lot of cash buyers out there investing in Downtown San Diego Real Estate.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blog about Cash vs. Financing click on Downtown San Diego Condos & Lofts Sold – Cash vs. Financing – Jan to Dec 2010.


Taste of Little Italy

It’s that time of year again, downtown San Diego residents! Taste of Little Italy is back and if you haven’t heard of it as an owner of a downtown San Diego loft or condo, it is now time to crawl out from under that rock and see what it is all about! Here’s a visual taste of what you can expect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILOxVfBevkU

Wednesday, May 25th is the date and you better get your tickets ASAP because this event does sell out. For $35, you can stroll through Little Italy from 5-9pm, listen to live music, and taste some of the tastiest appetizers, entrees, beverages and desserts from all of those great Little Italy restaraunts. Grab your neighbors, buy your tickets and have a fantastic evening of good food, good drink and good people.

Buon Appetito!


Resales are coming back strong in Downtown San Diego

Resales are coming back strong in Downtown San Diego

Wow…if you compare with last year…resale’s were pretty much at the bottom of the scale but for the first quarter of 2011 they are totally leading the way with 80 condos & lofts sold in Downtown San Diego out of a total of 256. Both short sales and REO’s (bank owned) has also stepped up the latter to a total of 54 vs. 53. The only category that has declined is the developer sales. Not too surprising though…as we all know the developer sales at The Mark, Park Terrace, The Legend in the East Village/Ballpark District and Atria in the Marina District are pretty much all gone. Should you be interested in the developer sales that’s still out there…check out Bayside, Smart Corner & Sapphire!

To read and compare 92101 Urban Living’s other blog for the 1st quarter check out Cash buyers are investing in Downtown San Diego Real Estate.


Aaargh…ahoy…Pirate Days in Downtown San Diego

aaargh..ohoy..Pirate Days in Downtown San Diego - Dont miss out

Put on you pirate costume and sail over to the Maritime Museum for a fun filled event along the San Diego Bay in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego. This is a 2 day event held by the San Diego Maritime Museum starting today May 21st and 22nd at 9am. There will be carnival games, costume contests, treasure hunts, theatrical performances, canon firings, swordfight demonstrations aboard the Star of India and re-enactments aboard the HMS Surprise.

A 45 minute historic bay cruise on the San Diego Bay aboard the Pilot boat is available for $3, plus the cost of admission. Performances aboard the Treasure Seeker will take place at 11am, 1.30pm, and 3 pm for an additional fee. If you wear your pirate costume…you will receive $2 off the admission fees, which is $14 for adults and $8 for children under 12.

To read more about this event click on Join us for a Buccaneer Birthday Bash and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about the Maritime Museum click on Sailor Days are Coming Up at the Maritime Museum in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego! and Free Walking Tours Along the Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego!.


Downtown San Diego News Readers Choise Awards 2011

Downtown San Diego News Readers Choise Awards 2011One of the things I look forward to each month as I pass either 7-eleven or the local coffee shop just around the corner of my Downtown San Diego Loft in the East Village/Ballpark District is to grab the free monthly newsletter “San Diego Downtown News“. As you are aware…Downtown San Diego have so many local fabulous businesses and the readers of the San Diego Downtown News has chosen the top ones…check them out…

To check out the article from the San Diego Downtown News to read about other great businesses taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place click on San Diego Downtown News – Readers Choice Awards 2011: Shopping & Services.