UC San Diego (UCSD) and the Holland Partner Group broke ground Wednesday on the construction of a new apartment complex and campus extension in downtown San Diego.
Construction is underway for the innovative project in the heart of East Village.
The space will help students and the surrounding community, according to a spokesperson for UCSD. Middle and high school students from the area will be able to attend educational programs at the new facility. There will be many research and volunteer opportunities to promote civic engagement as well.
At the moment, it's just a dirt-filled construction lot on Park Boulevard and Market Street. In just a few years, there will be a 34-story residential tower and four-story urban facility with retail, restaurants, an art gallery and open amphitheater. The whole project encompasses 66,000 square feet.
According to the university, the Historic Remmen House will be restored and kept as a restaurant.
The compound will hold 426 units, including 85 rent-restricted affordable units for very low-income residents. University officials said students and staff will host community engagement events and develop their own businesses.
University officials hope this new space will help students reach higher levels of achievement. The project is slated to open in 2021.
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The university chose this location because it's close to the UCSD Blue Line, which runs from San Ysidro to University City and connects with its main campus in La Jolla.
Holland Partner Group is the project's developer.