Little Italy, San Diego
San Diego’s historic Little Italy district is the oldest surviving district in the city. Founded in the 1920’s, San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood was once the heart of the tuna canning industry of the west. During the industry’s decline and the construction of the I-5 freeway in the 1970’s, the district was fragmented and began a nearly 30 year decline. In the 1990’s, property and business owners decided to revitalize the district. Today, Little Italy is an energetic neighborhood with exceptional dining, entertainment, and living options.
After learning about the history of San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood, Forge Land Company wants to develop a high-rise apartment building at 1460 India Street that fits the fabric of the community but is also modern enough to stand-alone as an exceptional piece of architecture. Due to this, an extensive glass façade is incorporated into the project to showcase the spectacular views from the residences and emphasize the modernity of the development. A fantastic art piece by John Asaro (website), a world-renowned artist and one of the property owners at 1460 India Street, abstractly depicting the ocean and the tuna that helped found the neighborhood will accent the exterior of the parking structure that sits above the ground floor. Frank and John Asaro are both “sons of Little Italy”, having grown up on the property 70 years ago. The ground floor retail is expected to be a restaurant that will service both the dining room that opens onto the street and the podium level bar/pool lounge. We feel this project both respects the neighborhoods historic significance and aesthetic as well as supports The Little Italy Association’s goal of enhancing and improving the neighborhood.
Currently we are seeking equity partners to participate in the project with us.
After learning about the history of San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood, Forge Land Company wants to develop a high-rise apartment building at 1460 India Street that fits the fabric of the community but is also modern enough to stand-alone as an exceptional piece of architecture. Due to this, an extensive glass façade is incorporated into the project to showcase the spectacular views from the residences and emphasize the modernity of the development. A fantastic art piece by John Asaro (website), a world-renowned artist and one of the property owners at 1460 India Street, abstractly depicting the ocean and the tuna that helped found the neighborhood will accent the exterior of the parking structure that sits above the ground floor. Frank and John Asaro are both “sons of Little Italy”, having grown up on the property 70 years ago. The ground floor retail is expected to be a restaurant that will service both the dining room that opens onto the street and the podium level bar/pool lounge. We feel this project both respects the neighborhoods historic significance and aesthetic as well as supports The Little Italy Association’s goal of enhancing and improving the neighborhood.
Currently we are seeking equity partners to participate in the project with us.
A January Update
After receiving unanimous approval from the San Diego Little Italy Association’s Project Review Committee, the DCPC Pre-Design Subcommittee in San Diego, and the Design Review Committee of the Civic San Diego Board, on November 16th we had our public hearing in front of the Civic San Diego Board. This was the final step on our road to entitlement. After receiving, yet another, full unanimous approval and support of all variances from the Civic San Diego Board, we are now fully entitled.
The feedback we received throughout the process was tremendously supportive and helpful. We truly do appreciate everyone who chimed in and was present at our hearings and community meetings, thanks!
The technology we are using in conjunction with the project will set this development apart from any other in San Diego. The parking system will be fully automated (the first of its kind at this scale on the West coast). In addition, the project will have a greywater recycling system, photovoltaics, and fuel cells in the basement. Even with 150 residences, the building will be a net exporter of electricity. We are extremely excited to bring a modern, technologically advanced product to San Diego.
The feedback we received throughout the process was tremendously supportive and helpful. We truly do appreciate everyone who chimed in and was present at our hearings and community meetings, thanks!
The technology we are using in conjunction with the project will set this development apart from any other in San Diego. The parking system will be fully automated (the first of its kind at this scale on the West coast). In addition, the project will have a greywater recycling system, photovoltaics, and fuel cells in the basement. Even with 150 residences, the building will be a net exporter of electricity. We are extremely excited to bring a modern, technologically advanced product to San Diego.
Project Specifications
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Façade rendering at 1460 India
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"As I was designing the frieze I was thinking about tuna, porpoises, and churned up water and waves all interacting together. Porpoises often swim with tuna. The bent shapes represent the jumping, or action, of all the above in a very abstract way." - John Asaro