A proposed observation tower at the edge of Pacific Highway is a polarizing symbol of change that could make or break the larger, $2.4 billion redevelopment effort planned for downtown’s Central Embarcadero. — San Diego Union-Tribune
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and developers 1HWY1 have proposed a 500-foot cylindrical observation tower for San Diego's waterfront Central Embarcadero as part of a massive $2.4 billion Seaport San Diego project.
The part-hotel, part-theme park development could include 385 hotel rooms, a 170,822-square-foot "vertical aquarium," and other retail, office, and leisure spaces, according to a recent report from The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The proposal, which will have to undergo extensive environmental review and be approved by the California Coastal Commission, is not without controversy, however.
Melody Lasiter, a San Diego coastal planner, told The San Diego Union-Tribune, “We have concerns about the bulk and scale of the project in general."
Lasiter added, “Our major concern is that the existing development down at Seaport Village right now is easily accessible for a wide range of incomes. There’s a lot of passive space, and anyone can go to Seaport Village and walk around. With the redevelopment, it might not be that way. Our focus is the public’s ability to recreate there at low or no cost.”
6 Comments
send him back
The lone voice seeking economic accessibility will be drowned out in a cascade of tax abatements for luxury waterfront development of high-end hotels and amenities.
Meanwhile San Diego has the fourth largest homeless population of US cities. That observation tower should be housing for them.
a pile of dirty dishes
The current avant garde style is "stacked amazon boxes" with the occasional "stacked dishes" to switch it up
It's too bad OMA didn't disown its stylistic imitators that ignored the process -- much like Mies' half-rate copies that ended up destroying the reputation of classic modernism
I LIKE IT!
San Diego has suffered as an LA suburb long enough.
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