Reimagining Flower Hill Promenade as a Mixed-Use Community
HED partnered with Protea Properties in a design competition to transform Flowerhill Promenade, an outdated retail center in San Diego, into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Once centered around car-oriented retail, the 22-acre site was re-envisioned through HED’s master planning, architecture, and landscape design as a multi-story community designed to meet the emerging demands of a live, work, play lifestyle.
The plan proposed 318 new residential units alongside more than 185,000 square feet of office and retail space, all woven into a framework of walkable streets, public plazas, and green open spaces. Parking, though still accommodated with 1,380 spaces, was carefully integrated to support rather than dominate the site, allowing the pedestrian experience to take priority. By pivoting away from a traditional shopping center model, the concept positioned Flowerhill as a place where people can live, work, and gather in an environment that feels authentic and connected.
Balancing physical, social, environmental, and experiential factors was central to the design vision. Residential and commercial functions were layered to create a dynamic mix of uses, ensuring activity throughout the day and evening. Ground-floor retail spaces were designed to activate street edges, providing restaurants, shops, and services that would draw both residents and the broader community. Upper-level offices and residences added density and vitality, transforming the site into a true neighborhood rather than a stand-alone retail center.
Landscape design reinforced the shift toward community and sustainability. Courtyards, paseos, and pocket parks created welcoming outdoor spaces that encourage casual encounters, recreation, and relaxation. Climate-adaptive plantings and shaded gathering areas supported environmental resilience while also strengthening the identity of the development. By restoring balance between built form and open space, the design created opportunities for both connection and respite.
The concept was as much about creating a sense of place as it was about new construction. The master plan embraced the idea that shopping centers can be more than destinations for transactions. They can evolve into inclusive communities where people live, socialize, and build connections. By layering residential density with flexible retail and office opportunities, the Flower Hill Promenade adaptive reuse project demonstrates how thoughtful planning can transform an auto-centric property into a sustainable and socially vibrant district.
With over 300,000 square feet of residential and commercial space, Flowerhill was reimagined not just as a development, but as a model for how underutilized retail sites can be reactivated to meet the needs of contemporary life. The design positions the property as a resilient, forward-looking community that reflects San Diego’s unique character while addressing the broader shift toward mixed-use living.
