Wednesday marked a big day for San Diego, as the biggest and priciest development project to hit downtown was finally given city approval. Despite getting support from Congress almost 30 years ago, the $1.3 billion Manchester Pacific Gateway now has the go-ahead from the City Council to actually break ground.
According to The San Diego Union Tribune, the 3-million-square-foot development will include office towers, restaurants, entertainment, open space and parks, a museum and a shopping center. Inspired by Rockefeller Center in NYC, the waterfront project, it will be built between Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive on 13.7 acres of land. Construction is set to begin in March, since they still have to wait on a federal court ruling as to whether it meets standards in place from the National Environmental Policy Act. So much red tape!
“It’s truly a dream for me to build a stunning and engaging gateway for the city I love and call home,” says founder Papa Doug Manchester, father of many SD landmarks, like the five-star Fairmont Grand Del Mar, “and to do so with the best architectural and development team in the world to ensure that every detail speaks to precision, elegance and style that will last for generations to come. I view this as an opportunity to recruit the best talent, businesses, retail, and hospitality to San Diego and to positively impact our economic growth and create new jobs.”
Once finished, Manchester Pacific Gateway is expected to bring the city well over $12 million in tax revenue from the hotel alone, plus millions in property and sales tax.
