Explorer | USA | September 2018

Border Force

The popularity of has been good for San Diego. New investment has gone south, extending the appeal of the golden state down to the Mexican border.

And it’s a city in transition. continues to be the state of choice to work, live and raise a family, but the San Francisco Bay area and city is now so expensive it’s displacing people in search of somewhere similar, but much more affordable. And keen to make their new plans accessible, property developers have leapfrogged the dense, sprawling and ageing Los Angeles and landed firmly in the city. With its year-round warm climate and socially liberal attitudes, San Diego is where Millennial Americans are increasingly choosing to live.

During my recent visit, it was interesting to see how this development is starting to take shape. Rich in cultural diversity, it stands at a crossroads with Mexico, just a short hop to the border. The downtown area and waterfront is small scale, quick and easy to get around with lots of good resort hotels, a convention centre and a By Karl McKeever compact cultural/entertainment quarter. Founder & Managing Director

The Manchester Waterfront is the focus of much of the investment. This massive new development will be a multi-million dollar leisure, retail and hotel destination, with a prestige position overlooking the Pacific bay.

visualthinking.co.uk Aesop Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Dr, CA 92122

But the investment money has not yet found its way downtown – the one thing the area really lacks is good-quality modern shopping. In fact, its main area, Westfield Horton Place is a crumbling relic and looks fit to be condemned! It’s a pretty sad state of affairs. Most stores have closed, and of the few left standing Banana Republic and Victoria’s Secrets are the biggest names. But even these look faded and aged and I’m certain have agreed to remain open rent free by a landlord keen to keep some tenants there.

This is a Spanish-styled hacienda. Open air and multi-levelled it may be, but being levelled would be the best thing for it. Thankfully, that’s exactly what is planned: it San Diego is where was announced earlier this year that the mall will be demolished and redeveloped as an office and entertainments complex. This will serve many new workers and Millennial Americans raise many millions of dollars annually in rental, and in my opinion it can’t come soon enough. are increasingly choosing to live.

Banana Republic Westfield UTC Mall

If I’m being honest, Downtown is a pretty soulless place, with the exception of the resort-focused Embarcardo or historic Gaslamp Entertainment District. Unusually, there’s no special area revealing a hidden cache of indie shops and upscale designer stores. It’s a depressing mix of ‘ghetto’ blocks, where homeless and unemployed people gather, and faceless corporate buildings closed at the weekend.

visualthinking.co.uk Pottery Barn 7007 Friars Rd Ste 590A, CA 92108

But – and it’s a very welcome but – change is in the air. Whole blocks and areas are being redeveloped. The butterfly is emerging from the chrysalis.

One thing I can categorically say about San Diego is the transportation is nothing short of excellent. Built on the Californian grid system – making it easy to understand – the roads are teeming with Uber, lyft and EV motorcycles and scooters. Visitors can also use the overground light rail system, and the international airport is less than 10 minutes away from downtown.

Moving out of the city, you’ll find Fashion Valley Mall, operated by the very experienced Simon Malls. Stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Emporio Armani, The Westfield UTC Bloomingdales, Macy’s and JC Penny (and what a sight this is! Easily wins the prize for the worst store there). Lifestyle brands in the Mall include Lush, Coach, Gap, Mall offers an upscale Apple, Banana Republic and Sunglasses Hut. experience.

Anthropologie Westfield UTC, 4525 LA JOLLA VILLAGE DR, CA 92122-1217

Meanwhile, the Westfield UTC Mall offers an upscale experience, with eateries, a cinema and ice rink accompanying the shops. Here you’ll find , Macy’s,

visualthinking.co.uk Apple, Zara, H&M, Sundance and American Eagle, amongst others. The centre is big on home stores, with modern, well-executed brands from all the usual suspects (think Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Room & Board and Restoration Hardware).

There’s definitely a sense of anticipation in San Diego. With its reputation as the new San Francisco, development opportunities and big investments are springing up apace. I’ll be watching its transformation with keen interest

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