Located in downtown San Diego’s  Marina District, sits a place you may have heard about-Seaport Village. I’m joking because a lot of people think of downtown San Diego as Seaport Village and that’s okay because we residents know that there is waaaay more to downtown than that. Living in a downtown San Diego loft or condo is where it’s at!

Anyway, let’s get back to the real reason for this post-photo ops with Santa! At the East Plaza Gazebo, Santa will be all jolly sitting in his big ol’ chair waiting for you, your child, pet and/or family to plop yourselves down on his generous lap for some smiles. Personally, I am impressed with the photo package prices-they are $20 with the exception of one at $40. I’ve seen the mall Santa photo prices and let me tell you, this is a great deal! You can check out a schedule of Santa’s availablity here.

Ho, ho, ho!

San Diego Downtown Condo and Loft home owners, residents, small businesses, the Navy, The Coast Guard, the Police Enforcement in San Diego has all opened up their hearts by donating thousands of stuffed animals in different shapes and colors through the years to participate in the annual San Diego Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive. For the last 19 years this has been a huge thing to do to help children at the Rady Children Hospital. Coronado Police Officer Brian Hardy started the tradition in December 1990 when he realized the donation bin at the hospital was empty and he donated 12 Teddy Bears.

This year’s event is taking place on Tuesday December 14th, 2010 around 8.45am with start at the USS Midway Museum at the Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego with the goal to have 100,000 stuffed animals. 150 police cars will start the caravan through Downtown with the goal of reaching the hospital to give happy smiles to the children who are waiting.

To read The Port of San Diego’s article click on Harbor Police Invite Public to Donate Teddy Bears for the Holidays and to visit the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive Website click here.

The Financing Breakdown graph represents the Condos and Lofts sold, for the 3rd quarter of 2010, in Downtown San Diego.

Conforming loans ($417,000 and under) are leading the way with 142 homes sold, thereafter comes Extended Conforming ($417,001 - $697,500) and last are the Jumbo Loans (above $697,500) with 3 homes sold.

To compare and read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs on the downtown San Diego Real Estate Market see Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Price Range - 3rd Quarter 2010, Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Neighborhood - 3rd Quarter 2010,  Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Type of Sale - 3rd Quarter 2010 and Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Cash vs. Financing - 3rd Quarter 2010.

The above graph is a comparison, by type of sale, for Condos & Lofts sold in Downtown San Diego during the 3rd Quarters of 2009 and 2010.

A total of 315 units sold in the 3rd quarter of 2009 vs. 268 in 2010. Developer sales led the way with 156 sold in 2009 vs. 102 sold in 2010. In the resale market, 66 sold in 2009 vs. the 76 sold in 2010. The average sales price for Developer sales in 2009 was $557,625 vs. $559,509 in 2010. The average sales price for resales was $546,720 in 2009 vs. $444,472 in 2010.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs on downtown San Diego’s Real Estate Market see Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Financing Breakdown - 3rd Quarter 2010, Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Price Range - 3rd Quarter 2010, Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Neighborhood - 3rd Quarter 2010,  Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Type of Sale - 3rd Quarter 2010 and Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Cash vs. Financing - 3rd Quarter 2010.

As an owner of a downtown San Diego loft, and avid downtown walker, I am very familiar with our pedicab industry. How many times have you seen them towing visitors through the Marina District or asking if you want a ride to the East Village to catch a ballgame? That’s what I thought. But did you know that just until recently, there have been very little regulations on just who gets to drive them?

Beginning January 11, 2011, thanks to Arnold signing Assembly Bill 2294, all pedicab operators must hold a valid California Driver’s License as there is now a definition of pedicab in the California Vehicle Code. Makes sense, right? Local governments are allowed to require all pedicab operators to complete a bike safety course or provide a valid California ID card with proof of a passing grade on the written portion of the driver’s license exam.

Sounds reasonable to me! Not only do these pedicab operators need to ride these bikes while transporting people but they also must navigate roads with pedestrians and drivers. Sounds like the safety of San Diegans, our visitors and our pedicab drivers is a worthwhile priority.

This graph is showing us Condos & Lofts sold by price range in Downtown San Diego in the 3rd quarter of 2010. Total units sold are 268!

105 (40%) homes were sold in the price range of $300,001 - $500,000. 86 (32%) homes were sold in the price range of $300,000 and under. We had 1 unit that sold for $2,000,000+ and 11 units sold in the price range of $1,000,001 - $1,500,000. It is also showing us that 40 (15%) were sold in the range of $500,001 - $700,000.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs click on Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Neighborhood - 3rd Quarter 2010,  Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Type of Sale - 3rd Quarter 2010 and Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Cash vs. Financing - 3rd Quarter 2010.

The outdoor ice skating rink at Horton Square, in downtown San Diego’s  Gaslamp District, is almost ready for some skaters. Here are some things to consider about this fun event:

• All proceeds benefit Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at Rady’s Children’s Hospital
• Adults cost $14, children $12 (12 and under)-cost includes rental skates
• Rink is located at 225 Broadway Circle
• Rink is open November 18-January 9
• Hours are M-Th 10am-10pm, F-Su 10-7:30pm and 8-10pm
• Grand Opening on 11/18 includes Figure Skating Shows from 5-10pm
• Christmas Tree Lighting on 12/1
• Expect LOTS of kids and families
• Expect faster skaters, and teens, during later hours
• Expect adults willing to take risks and skate to music in the later evening

Great cause, now go on out there and support it!

This graph is showing us the Condos & Lofts sold by neighborhood in Downtown San Diego in the 3rd Quarter of 2010. A total of 268 units were sold!

The East Village/Ballpark District is still going strong with its 37 Developer sales, 17 short sales, 16 resales and 14 REO’s. The Marina District is strong on resales with 24 sold and the Columbia District is not to far behind the East Village with 34 Developer sales.

To see 92101 Urban Living’s former blog click on Downtown San Diego Condos Sold by Type of Sale - 3rd Quarter 2010, Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Cash vs. Financing - 3rd Quarter 2010.

Create your own slideshow

Elegant and contemporary design, loft floor plan, 2 bedroom combo, and stunning Southwest Downtown San Diego skyline and water views. As part of the signature “Skyloft Series”: 220 Degree View orientation, large square footage, and floor to ceiling windows combine to generate the “WOW” experience of this urban home. Unique and expensive upgrades has been added.

$2700/month! Security Deposit $2700! 12 month lease! Available from December 6th, 2010.

This open loft floor plan of 1422 square feet, the floor to ceilings windows, and expansive views from the San Diego Mountains to the east, Coronado Bridge and Bay to the South, and the high-rises of the Core District to the West all combine to create a powerful and luxury urban living experience. Unit 1615 was first used as the Smart Corner model loft. As a result, the two expensive upgrades of “built out” bedroom space and ceiling soffits were added in order to enhance a more elegant feeling and design. The “built out” two bedrooms give a combination loft layout with private master and quest space.

Bedroom space also allowed for walk in closets, adding the valuable storage space that adds function to every urban loft. Ceiling soffits allow for recessed lighting, hide window coverings, and ultimately soften the industrial feeling of exposed cement ceilings and sprinkler/A/C components. The model upgrades not only add enhanced and unique value, they complete the professional and modern luxury design. Loft upgrades include: teak wood flooring, custom view friendly window coverings, modern “Shag” carpeting in both built out bedrooms, built out closet space, and ceiling fans/custom lighting fixtures. The entertaining central kitchen is equipped with: GE Stainless appliances, granite countertops and backsplash, modern.

Smart Corner: A 19-story complex with 301 units in the East Village/Ballpark District that offers a rooftop lounge with a spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. This building epitomizes Smart Growth, an approach to urban planning that seeks the benefits of a close connect between where people work and live. Smart Corner combines residential living, an office building, ground floor retail space (711, Subway, Starbucks, and Pizza) and mass transit all on one city block.

Before Smart Corner was built, there was no other complex in Downtown San Diego that could represent the East, South, and West views that could look back on the bay, Mexico, Coronado Bridge, and City skyline. As soon as you enter a Smart Corner loft floor plan in this “Skyview Series stack”, it is not hard to figure out why these urban lofts represent the signature “look” and “design” of a Downtown San Diego loft with a view. Loft 1615 is the highest loft in this stack, and highest floor plan of its kind before the building Penthouse levels.

For more information contact Sofia at 619-992-5144 or sofia@92101urbanliving.com.

This graph shows us the Downtown San Diego Condos & Lofts sold by type of sale in the 3rd quarter of 2010. Total units sold are 268. The developer sales are still coming down and has 102 units sold vs. 107 sold in the 1st quarter and 137 sold in the 2nd quarter. Resales are up to 28% vs. 21% in 1st quarter and 23% in the second. One interesting fact is that short sales has doubled with 16% from last year.  

To see 92101 Urban Living’s former blog click on Downtown San Diego Condos Sold - Cash vs. Financing - 3rd Quarter 2010