SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Port Authority Commission has selected a $1.2 billion project proposal to transform 70 acres of downtown San Diego’s waterfront.
ThrillCorp Inc. will develop a 480-foot observation tower, to be known as SkySpire, which will anchor the development. ThrillCorp is a partner in a consortium called 1HWY1, which is led by Protea Waterfront Development.
In addition to the SkySpire, the $1.2 billion redevelopment proposal includes the 178,500-square-foot OdySea aquarium, bayfront beaches, three hotels totaling 1,077 rooms, marinas, more than 388,000 square feet of retail, 19,100 square feet of offices, dining and other entertainment.
The winning proposal was one of 11 submitted for the site. The Port Authority and Protea Waterfront Development are expected to complete final review of the proposal by October, beginning the development process immediately afterward.
“I believe this site is unquestionably one of the best waterfront sites in the United States,” says Yehudi Gaffen, spokesman for Protea Waterfront Development. “When completed, this will redefine experiential urban, mixed-use development and make San Diego a truly world class city.”
The San Diego Unified Port District approved the development following a 6-1 vote. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2020 for completion in 2023, according to BisNow.
— Haisten Willis