Home » Archive by Category "October 2011"

Seaport Village’s Green Efforts

Seaport Village and the Port of San Diego have teamed up to support environmental awareness and progressive action when it comes to Downtown San Diego’s beautiful bay. Seaport Village is a proud participant in the Green Business Challenge whose purpose is to increase energy efficiency of businesses around the San Diego Bay as well as reduce their environmental impacts.

Since Seaport Village occupies 14 acres of our bay side with over 70 shops, it seems more than appropriate for these businesses to do their part in protecting our bay. What’s so exciting about this challenge is how these business owners have embraced efforts to leave a very small carbon footprint. SDG&E offers small businesses a free program in which they change out lighting to be more energy efficient. Numerous Seaport Village shops have taken advantage of this very worthwhile program. Aside from the recycling program Seaport Village offers, some shop owners have cut back on packaging by asking patrons to wear their purchases rather than bag them. One shop owner uses the packaging to create pieces of art. Sounds pretty environmentally conscious to me!

Downtown San Diego is a compact space with lots of businesses, restaurants, shops and residences that sit very near to the beautiful and lively San Diego Bay. Maybe we should all take a hint from Seaport Village and make a pledge to our own personal Green Challenge. We can all do our part to protect not only the city and Bay we all share and enjoy, but also the earth on which we live.


Downtown San Diego homes sold in September

Downtown San Diego homes sold in SeptemberAs we are geeks for the analytic.I thought we would give you a fast update of what happened in the real estate world of Downtown San Diego in the month of September 2011.

Sales of Downtown San Diego real estate for the month of September dropped to 85 Downtown San Diego Condos and Downtown San Diego Lofts sold compared to 103 sales in August. The average sales price increased slightly to $407,849. The majority of the sales (78%) were under $500,000 with cash buyers dropping from 43% in August to 34% this month.

Traditional resale transactions lead the way with over 1/3 of the sales and developer sales jumped from 10 sales in August to 23 this month with Breeza, Moto Villas, and Waterfront leading the way.


Symphony Spooktacular

sd-symphony.jpgIn the month of October, Downtown San Diego offers families a variety of Halloween activities (such as this and this). As a family, and owner of a Downtown San Diego loft or condo, it is always exciting to pick and choose fun stuff to do with the kiddos-all of which is right in our neighborhood.

The San Diego Symphony puts on their Symphony Spooktacular this Sunday, October 30th, at 2pm. What’s great about this performance is that it is a Family Festival Concert so the kid friendly meter is high. Kiddos, and symphony performers, are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to then enjoy familiar music that is inspired by ghosts, goblins, and of course, those spooky Halloween stories. There will also be a narrative of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow which, in my opinion, is the epitome of perfect Halloween stories. Kids of all ages are welcome.

Our city is filled with meaningful, memorable experiences and this is one the whole family will enjoy!


Haunted Harbor Halloween Cruise

haunted-harbor-cruise.jpgWhen you are an owner of a Downtown San Diego loft or condo, your range of experiences is vast. One of the most enticing adventures of living in Downtown San Diego is your access to the bay and all that it has to offer. For each holiday there seems to be some sort of San Diego Bay entertainment and Halloween is no exception.

So if you are looking for something different to do to celebrate Halloween, why not give the Haunted Harbor Halloween Cruise a go? Sounds unique, right? This isn’t just any bay cruise, it’s a dance-party-wear-your-costume-and-party-the-night-away kind of trip around the bay. And for $35, you can be a part of this spooky good time.

DJs, tacos for purchase, views of the skyline, complimentary boarding cocktail, costume contest (prize is $100 cold, hard cash) and don’t forget an unforgettable night with friends is what Flagship Cruises is offering you. This party sets sail on Saturday, October 29th. Boarding time is at 9pm and cruising time is from 9:30pm-12:30am. You’ll board the haunted vessel at 1050 N. Harbor Drive and then begins your Halloween experience in good ol’ Downtown San Diego!


750 mile boat voyage from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas

750 mile boat voyage from San Diego to Cabo San LucasToday is the day when about 200 yachts and boats will begin their trip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in the 19th annual Baja Ha-Ha Cruiser’s Rally. They will start at 10am from the tip of Shelter Island right outside Downtown San Diego and the official American Cups shotgun will signal the start.

They say it is about a two week trip with stops in Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Maria as well as the destination Cabo San Lucas and it attracts sailing enthusiasts and new comers from all over the West Coast. To be able to compete…you must have a boat that is over 27 feet that has been designed, built and maintained for open ocean sailing. You will also have to have at least 2 crew members with overnight and offshore experience.

So if you are walking around this morning wondering what the boats are all about…take a seat, enjoy the view and give the sailors a salute.


The Haunted Hotel in Downtown San Diego

Does sounds of chainsaws and screaming zombies sound appealing? The Haunted Hotel in the Gaslamp is busy this time a year as the line surprisingly lingers not just around the corner but all the way around to the next block over. If you want to go on a journey in the world of Halloween this is something you just got to check out.

Opening days are every Tuesday to Sunday all the way to the end of October and ticket price varies from $14.99 to $16.99 depending on which day you choose to go. Oh.and by the way.if you get spooked easily.recommendations are to bring a friend or two with strong arms as you will need it to hold on.


Upper East Village in Downtown San Diego

Upper East Village in Downtown San Diego

I remember when I moved to San Diego, as a newcomer trying to establish myself as a business owner and a real estate specialist, I was standing on a big dirt pile right outside the Gaslamp telling myself that this will soon be a park, a sports arena and one day my office. Development took off and Petco Park arose along with condo and loft complexes Icon, The Legend, M2i, Park Terrace and a couple other ones. This was a big deal for Downtown San Diego as the new neighborhood East Village/Ballpark District came to life.

Well, on the plan for the future and what people are talking about today is the new Upper East Village. I am sure you all heard or been to Jeromes furniture in Downtown. Their chairman, Jerry Navarra, has gathered a team including Rob Lankford of Lankford & Associates to create the vision of what can be the biggest project since Petco Park.

About 2.9 million square feet located in a square of Broadway, F Street, 14th Street and 16th Street, South of San Diego City College is where the Upper East Village has its plan to get established. The ideas that are on the agenda and that is currently being discussed include;

• An “education overlay”: City College, the NewSchool of Architecture, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, charter schools and student housing.
• Galleries, studios and artists live/work loft housing and an “artists alley” between 15th and 16th streets.
• An urban open space network: The planned East Village Green Park at 14th and F; an urban trail leading to Balboa Park; and an “urban alley” along 15th and F.
• 15th Street Experience: 3 blocks of live/work housing units and retail shops.
• 16th Street Gateway: A 3 block entrance to City College.
• Eurospace: An “urban alley” along F Street, bridging the blocks between Park and 15th.

Navarra, who has been a part of the East Village since 1954 is convinced that this team will be able to create this bold project that will improve the social, economic and cultural part of the East Village for generations to come.


Marina Cortez Project – Approved by the Port of San Diego

Port of San Diego Approves Marina Cortez Project

Marina Cortez is one of Harbor Islands oldest developments; it was built in 1969 and is now ready for some improvements. Harbor Island is located just West of Downtown San Diego…you can see the island if you would stand over by the Embarcadero in the Columbia District or from any condo with West facing ocean views. The improvements to be made will consist of;

Renovation of the main building

Renovation of its supporting building

Construction of a public shoreline promenade

Resurfacing of the parking lot, landscaping & lighting

Construction of an elevator tower

The vote was unanimous by the Board of Port Commissioners for the approval of the proposed plan at the October 11th, 2011 meeting. A lot of attention has been given to the Marina Cortez like the $7.34 million dollar project to replace all of the old concrete docks with hardwood deck floating system. Over 545 boat slips are at the Marina Cortez and so many people call this home for their boats, its no wonder they take such good care of it.


Balboa Park Halloween Family Day

balboa-halloween.jpgSince we are on the topic of family friendly Halloween events (here is another one), I thought I’d share another one (for all of you Downtown San Diego loft and condo owners) that takes place up in Balboa Park-Balboa Park Halloween Family Day. On Saturday, October 29th from 11-3pm, over a dozen of Balboa’s fabulous museums will be offering children ages 12 and under free admission with a paid adult. Plus, they are offering adults discounted admission with the Stay-for-the-Day Pass ($35) which allows you admission to five of Balboa’s museums.

Now free and discounted admission aren’t the only things happening at the Halloween Family Day, each of the museums has it’s own special and spooky events. For instance, head on over to the Natural History Museum to visit a Creepy Nocturnal Critter Cavern or watch the Great Pumpkin Parachute Drop at the Air and Space Museum. Indulge yourself (and your pooch) in the pet costume contest, wander over and watch Halloween inspired dance performances and if you dare, explore local graveyards and cemetaries.

There will also be a frightening array of hands on activities, crafts, special tours and storytelling. Free gifts will be given to children in costume (who are accompanied by an adult) and a drawing will occur to win local prizes/tours. Downtown San Diego sure knows how to do it right for Halloween with Balboa Park’s Halloween Family Day!


“bite m.e” in the Middle of the Gaslamp District

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bite m.e is the newest Downtown San Diego addition to the vibrant Gaslamp Districts food alley that gives you a flavor of Mediterranean styled dishes. Eats, Plates, Bites, Nibbles, Dips, Sips, Greens and Sweets are all of the creative names you will find on the menu.

This is really something I have been waiting for. As a Downtown San Diego Condo home owner…there are many choices to choose between when it comes to dining but if you look around…Mediterranean cuisine…is not that common in Downtown. I love Greek Salad, Falafel, Tzatziki, Aioli and Hummus…oh, doesn’t that just sound so good!

One other highlight…you will find beers from local breweries around San Diego along with some great local wines. bite m.e has a great location at 423 F street right between 4th and 5th Avenues…and is a great addition to the neighborhood.

92101 Urban Living is happy to wish bite m.e Good Luck! and welcome them to the Gaslamp. Stop by and say hello!