Envisioning a Thriving Mixed-Use Neighborhood
To help realize San Diego State University’s Mission Valley master plan, HED partnered with Lincoln Property Company to design a mixed-use residential development that extends the energy of the campus into a dynamic, year-round neighborhood. Conceived as more than a stadium amenity, the project was guided by principles of diversity, inclusivity, connectivity, sustainability, and community, positioning Mission Valley as a cultural hub and a model live-work-play environment for the region.
Located at a prime gateway site, the development proposes 420 new apartments, 85,000 square feet of outdoor amenity space, and 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Together, these elements create an environment that blends daily living with opportunities for recreation, dining, and cultural exchange. The design emphasizes indoor-outdoor connections, layering residential amenities vertically to activate the public realm. Mid-block, the building opens to a public plaza, while a third-floor amenity deck overlooks the street, reinforcing transparency and interaction at multiple levels.
The architectural character blends sustainable, high-quality materials with varied forms and details to strengthen the sense of place. Public plazas and permeable boundaries encourage movement between campus and community, while public art and experiential elements animate the shared spaces. The result is an accessible and vibrant neighborhood fabric that reflects both the identity of San Diego and the trusted brand of SDSU.
Sustainability and wellness were core strategies from the outset. The project was designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, align with the Fitwel Standard, and target Zero Net Energy. Features include a photovoltaic roof, roof gardens and planters that treat stormwater, electric vehicle charging stations throughout the parking structure, and prefabricated wood-frame walls that support resource efficiency and expedited construction. An urban vegetable garden further emphasizes health and community by giving tenants the opportunity to grow fresh produce on site.
With more than 84,000 square feet of tenant amenities, 30,000 square feet of retail, and public spaces designed for cultural and social engagement, the Mission Valley Development concept reimagines what a university district can be. It is envisioned as a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood where people live, gather, and thrive, an environment that celebrates San Diego’s identity, strengthens connections with the university, and contributes to the long-term vitality of the Mission Valley district.
