The East Village Business Improvement District is holding its montly meeting at the Hotel Indigo on Thursday April 1st at 5pm. A collection of residents, Downtown San Diego Condo home owners, Downtown San Diego Loft home owners that has an interest in the community will meet and discuss the improvements and contributions to the neighborhood. Come on down and join the meeting at 509 9th Avenue right next to Petco Park.

The East Village/Ballpark District is San Diego’s largest and most rapidly developing neighborhood encompassing 130 blocks. This neighborhood burst into life in the past few years. It is the largest district in Downtown San Diego, located east of the Gaslamp District and southeast of the Core District and the Cortez Hill Distric.

To find out more about the meeting please contact info@eastvillagesandiego.com.

The Little Italy Association is a collection of residents including Downtown San Diego Condo home owners and Downtown San Diego Loft home owners in the Little Italy District who share a common interest in the positive development of this budding neighborhood. It’s open to renters, business owners and for anyone who care to see and contribute to the growth of this area of Downtown San Diego. This group needs partici-pation not only in its meetings but in its community projects as well.

The Little Italy Association Board of Directors Meetings will be held at the Lady of the Rosary Parish Hall  (1654 State Street) in Downtown San Diego from 8:30a.m. - 10:00a.m on April 6th, 2010.

To read more visit Little Italy San Diego.

The California Association of Realtors reported Friday March 26th, 2010 that Governor Schwarzenegger signed the assembly bill 183 for the Homebuyer Tax Credit legislation, into law.

The legislation allocates $200 million for more state tax credits – twice what was offered last year to 10,659 buyers of new, unoccupied homes. The state’s newest housing stimulus will grant $100 million in tax credits to first time buyers of existing homes and $100 million to anyone who buys a new, unoccupied home.

The state Franchise Tax Board on Tuesday estimated nearly 32,000 homeowners statewide might get the tax breaks. Buyers must close escrow or reserve a credit on or after May 1 and before or on Dec. 31 to qualify.

Schwarzenegger proposed the housing stimulus in his January State of the State Address to help revive the California economy. The new state tax credit would take effect one day after expiration of a federal $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers including home buyers of Downtown San Diego Condos and Downtown San Diego Lofts.

As was the case last year, buyers won’t be eligible for the full $10,000 credit if they owe the state less than that amount over a three year period. Buyers can get up to $3,333 off their tax obligation in each of the three years after buying a Condo, Loft or house.

Buyers must be at least 18 years old and be unrelated to the seller. They must live in the home they buy. First time buyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the past three years.

To read more about the new law visit The State of California.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs click on Tax Credit for New Home Purchase in Downtown San Diego and New Updates in Effect to “FHA Financing” for Condos & Lofts in Downtown San Diego!

Want to connect and get to know Downtown San Diego’s distinctive neighborhoods such as the Little Italy District, the Marina District, the Columbia District, the Gaslamp District, the Cortez Hill District and the East Village/Ballpark District? Join the free bus tour from Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC).

This is a perfect tour for future home owners trying to figure out the different areas in Downtown San Diego. Maybe you have not decided in what part you would be ready to invest for your new Downtown San Diego Condo or Downtown San Diego Loft. While on this tour you will also get familiar with the different improvements going on such as the C Street Master Plan, the new Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, the Visionary Plan Phase 1 along the Embarcadero and the new Broadway Pier.

Go down to the Downtown Information Center in Horton Plaza if you would like more information about this tour or call them at 619.235.2222 to reserv your seat.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blog click on Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego Each Saturday Morning!

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Home #530 in Icon located in the East Village/Ballpark District is the largest of all the 1 bedroom floor plans in the complex. Experience this corner, Northwest facing, urban home with its floor to ceiling windows, and you’ll truly be able to take in the amazing Downtown San Diego city views of the 10th Ave & J Street corridor, city lights and sunsets. Enjoy natural sunlight throughout the day from inside or from the spacious balcony. The Icon complex now additionally benefits from FHA financing approval.  This is a very important to those buyers interested in a 3 ½ down payment option. As a result of its upgrades, financing options, and extra touches; this home has so much more to offer than a typical 1 bedroom floor plan at Icon.

To see a virtual tour click here:  http://www.photoplan.planomatic.com/2980

Icon unit #530 has an array of features including: Beautiful marble flooring and counter tops with upgraded shower fixtures in bathroom; custom walk in closet with custom designed wood Shoji doors, custom window coverings with sleek, urban design; exposed concrete accents throughout; granite counter tops; stainless steel appliances; brand new, high-end, modern carpeting; custom paint; custom pantry and shelving; open, entertainment-sized living room; modern color scheme; hardwood floors in kitchen; very quiet unit secluded at the end of hall; washer and dryer in unit; very large parking space for a vehicle of any size; and a personal, underground storage space.

We always tell our clients that when you are buying a home that is priced per square foot…it is always better to by a 900 sq/ft home that feels like 1200 sq/ft. This Icon urban home on the 5th floor of Building 2 is a perfect example of this. Wow factor is added to the overall sense of open space when you approach the corner wall of windows and west facing city views. 

The design of Home #530 is urban contemporary…represented in color, exposed cement accents, and living-room corner wall of glass. The floor plan design and layout is also comfortable. For any interested buyer…it is easy to envision a peaceful home life, while also considering plenty of room to entertain quests for dinners and cocktail parties. The “Soho” design package represented in the unit was one of the best that the developer of Icon offered. Soho is represented with large plank chocolate wood flooring in kitchen, chocolate cabinets, marble flooring in bathrooms, upgraded granite, and stainless appliances. Upgrades to the Master bedroom closet more than tripled the original storage space. Storage always goes “hand in hand’ with value in urban home spaces. A covered and private balcony is perfect for either morning coffee, or evening wine. Features and upgrades are always so important when considering a home or investment.

Just a short stroll away is the water front, the Marina District, Seaport Village and the vibrant Gaslamp District with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Icon is located in the heart of the East Village/Ballpark District and encompassing an entire city block bound by 10th, 11th, J Street and K Street. A superb location with Petco Park on one side and the new San Diego Public Library development site on the other. Icon has two entrances: 321 10th Avenue and 350 11th Avenue. Finished in January of 2007, the developers Levin/Menzies went to great lengths to make this one of the most unique and desirable complexes in all of Downtown San Diego. Icon’s amenities include: 26 story skybox with views into Petco Park and the San Diego Bay beyond, a fully equipped community room, large and spacious fitness center, a theater room, and 24 hour Community attendants and security.

Icon is comprised of four buildings of all concrete construction: Building 1 is 26 stories, building 2 is 11 stories, building 3 is 9 stories and building 4 is 5 stories. The four buildings surround a perfectly landscaped interior courtyard that features original sculpture art and waterfall features. The interior courtyard gives the complex an intimate community feeling. Even though there are 327 units, you still feel well connected to your neighbors.

The building projects like Icon, Diamond Terrace, and Park Terrace were all just completed in 2007. The street level retail that goes in to those spaces will really define the infrastructure of the neighborhood. These completed and fully occupied spaces will greatly add to the value of the price per square foot of the Icon complex.

For more information contact Sofia at 92101 Urban Living at 619-992-5144 or e-mail at sofia@92101urbanliving.com or fill out your contact info here.

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This Downtown San Diego Condo in Icon located in the East Village/Ballpark District is a contemporary and elegant Northwest corner 2 bedroom unit.

From the entrance of home #402, you are struck by both the contemporary and simplistic design style. Unlike many urban units, there is a small foyer entrance and hallway before entering the living areas. The corner windows provide a sense of space and natural light. From the living room, you have full views and perspective of the 10th Ave Corridor between J and K Streets. To the South is Petco Park and to the North is the Downtown San Diego city skyline.

To see a virtual tour click here: http://www.photoplan.planomatic.com/2939

The floors have been upgraded with large plank chocolate wood flooring, and the kitchen reflects the luxury appointments and fixtures we have come to expect from the Icon development. Two spacious bedrooms provide master and guests with a sense of ample and open room and both bedrooms have good sized storage space as well. Both bathrooms have been finished with marble flooring and feature the same chocolate cabinets found in the kitchen. You can step out on to the private patio space, and feel the energy of the East Village/Ballpark neighborhood.

One of the best features of Icon is location. In your front yard, you have the Ballpark, and the evolving 10th and J Street business corridors. In your backyard, the new San Diego Public Library is being built. Such great plans are developing for this section of the East Village/Ballpark neighborhood infrastructure and unit #402 sits right in the middle of it all. 

Just a short stroll away is the water front, the Marina District, Seaport Village and the vibrant Gaslamp District with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Icon is comprised of four buildings of all concrete construction: building 1 is 26 stories, building 2 is 11 stories, building 3 is 9 stories and building 4 is 5 stories. The four buildings surround a perfectly landscaped interior courtyard that features original sculpture art and waterfall features. The interior courtyard gives the complex an intimate community feeling. Even though there are 327 units, you still feel well connected to your neighbors.

The building projects like Icon, Diamond Terrace, and Park Terrace were all just completed in 2007. The street level retail that goes in to those spaces will really define the infrastructure of the neighborhood. These completed and fully occupied spaces will greatly add to the value of the price per square foot of the Icon complex.

For more information contact Sofia at 92101 Urban Living at 619-992-5144 or e-mail at sofia@92101urbanliving.com or fill out your contact info here.

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Home #1204 in Renaissance is a rarely available 1 bed/1 bath Downtown San Diego Condo in the North tower. The unit has high-speed wiring, GE gas range, GE Oven, GE Microwave, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking hood, a lighting upgrade for Artwork, carpet, custom paint and solid doors.

There is a large balcony with views to the West, North and East over Downtown San Diego and the San Diego Bay. There is one parking space #17 on parking level P1 and a storage unit #17 next to the parking spot.

Renaissance is a beautiful high-rise condominium development located in the much sought after Marina District of Downtown San Diego. Renaissance represent the perfect trademark of Downtown San Diego living. Renaissance is a 218 unit, 2 story, twin tower building which occupies a full city block bounded by Market and G, Front and First – the landmark of luxury living in the exclusive Marina District. The Twin towers provide diverse floor plan possibilities including condominiums, Downtown San Diego Lofts, Downtown San Diego Penthouses and town homes; with in-house amenities such as pools, exercise rooms and community facilities. Residents can easily access the benefits of the Marina District, the Gaslamp District, the East Village/Ballpark District and Horton Plaza. The complex is quality upscale construction completed in 2002. 

Home owners and residents of Renaissance love the central location in the heart of everything Downtown. The units are well appointed for luxury living standards, and feature tons of windows and natural light. Residents appreciate the contemporary urban style and design of the complex. Just a short stroll away is the water front, Seaport Village, Petco Park, Ralphs and the Gaslamp District with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

$2200/month, security deposit $2200. Available April 8th! Contact Sofia 619-992-5144 or e-mail sofia@92101urbanliving.com for more information.

The Children’s Museum Park in the Marina District in Downtown San Diego is a one acre open space in the middle of Downtown San Diego. Take a break and bring your children to the play ground, or bring a book to the reading circle, or lay down on a blanket and enjoy the artwork.

Right across the street is the New Children’s Museum, the San Diego Convention Center and a short stroll away is Downtown San Diego Condos in Pinnacle and Horizons.

This $2.6 million park is open to the public as well as for occasional special use by the New Children’s Museum. For more information about Downtown San Diego Parks visit www.ccdc.com

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blog click on Newly Opened Park “Cortez Hill Park” in the Cortez Hill District in Downtown San Diego!.

The C Street Master Plan is a project to improve the corridor, trolley, transit, infrastructure investments, streetscape enhancements, vehicular and pedestrian circulation and public art from India Street in the Columbia District to Park Boulevard in the East Village/Ballpark District in Downtown San Diego.

CCDC (Centre City Development Corporation), SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) and MTS (Metropolitan Transit System) are all working together to make this happen and the purpose of the plan is to create an overall vision for the recreation of this area.

Please click on the following links to read more about this project:

• Background
• Consultant Team
• Scope of Work
• Project Phasing
• Project Status/Timeline
• Public Participation
• Public Meetings
• Documents and Maps

To visit CCDC’s website with more information about the project please visit www.ccdc.com.

The Star of India and all other ships at the Maritime Museum in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego wants to support and inspire sailing enthusiasts!

Starting March 21st through April 11, 2010 you are more than welcome down to the Embarcadero to make rope for sailing, move cargo around the decks, raise and lower the sails, tie sailor knots or climb through a steam engine.  The Sailor Days will bring history to life as it reenact the duties of any sailor as it did when the ships were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and these activities are very educational.

You can also join the scavenger hunt through the ships searching for historic Maritime facts and get rewarded with a prize form the Museum’s treasure chest.

All activities are included with regular admission prices – $14 for adults and $8 for children. However, tickets purchased online with the Discovery Package will include a one hour historic boat cruise around the San Diego Bay on the San Diego Harbor Pilot. Tickets may be purchased at the gate as well, and rides on the Pilot can be added to regular admission for only $3 more.

The museum is located on the North Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive. For more information, call 619-234-9153 ext. 101 or visit the Maritime Museum’s website at www.sdmaritime.org.

To read 92101 Urban living’s former blogs click on The Star of India has Returned to the Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego! and North Embarcadero is Blooming with the New Urban Trees 6 Exhibit in Downtown San Diego!