Buildings rise and fall along San Diego’s waterfront.
Construction of a new fire station at Pacific Highway and Cedar Street. When finished this station will serve the North Embarcadero and Little Italy.
Many cranes now fill the sky in downtown San Diego. They seem to be concentrated in East Village and along the waterfront. I’ve lived in downtown for a long time, and I don’t recall seeing this amount of construction activity in many, many years.
As you might have noticed, I like to walk along the Embarcadero. During the past few months I’ve been watching the progress of several construction projects not far from the water. Every time I go for a stroll it seems that I have to tilt my head farther and farther back…
It’s fascinating to watch new buildings slowly rise into the sky–and to watch as old buildings are swept away. It seems that human ambition is like an ocean that crashes wave after wave, unceasingly changing the cityscape. The things we see today will in time be replaced, and, like ourselves, become a small bit of history.
Here are some photos. Most I took late this afternoon. (The first four photos, which show the new fire station construction, were taken very recently.)
Read the captions!
The new fire station is west of the railroad and trolley tracks, in order to avoid potential delays when fire engines are dispatched to emergencies near San Diego’s harbor.I took this photo (and the next) about a week after those first two photos. Huge steel beams have appeared!A new bayside firehouse is being built in San Diego!Graphic on the fence surrounding the now closed Anthony’s Fish Grotto. A new waterside dining experience is coming called Portside Pier.Portside Pier will be just south of the Star of India and include a dock for visiting boats. (Interesting that this graphic doesn’t show Point Loma, North Island or any land across San Diego Bay!)Portside Pier will include Brigantine, Miguel’s, Ketch Grill and Taps, and Portside Coffee and Gelato.Demolition of the Navy Broadway Complex has been underway for several weeks. I believe a remotely-controlled robot is being used to destroy the old building floor by floor, starting at the top level.Another look at the old Navy Broadway Complex being slowly removed. Heaps of debris are growing.Photo taken from Ruocco Park shows the Navy Broadway Complex demolition, plus the construction of the new InterContinental Hotel (left crane) and Pacific Gate by Bosa (right crane).The Navy Broadway Complex is being demolished to make way for Manchester Pacific Gateway, which will include four office buildings, a retail promenade, tourist attractions, a park and two hotels.A look at the demolition so far from Pacific Highway. The Navy Broadway Complex has evolved since the early 1900’s and has served the Pacific Fleet in various capacities.The tall Pacific Gate by Bosa appears to be nearing completion. Photo taken near intersection of Broadway and Pacific Highway.Construction continues near the base of Pacific Gate, a high-rise luxury condo.Pacific Gate rises in the distance, behind the construction of a new InterContinental Hotel, located at the site of old Lane Field. Photo taken from across Harbor Drive.When finished, this InterContinental Hotel will provide 400 luxury waterfront rooms for visitors to San Diego.I took some photos of ground floor construction as I walked along Pacific Highway north of Broadway.Another photo of construction of San Diego’s new InterContinental Hotel.Looking upward.Lots of cranes are in San Diego’s blue sky! A dynamic city grows and continues to evolve.
Here are a couple of later pics!
The new InterContinental Hotel rises.The old Navy Broadway Complex falls.
And one more photo of the fire station after months of progress…
In this photo the City of San Diego Bayside Fire Station No. 2 is approaching completion.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.
View all posts by Richard Schulte
8 thoughts on “Buildings rise and fall along San Diego’s waterfront.”
Its also so interesting to see how the skyline in a city changes over time, especially when there are big projects going on like this.
I’m not sure where the situation stands today. The California Coastal Commission threw a monkey wrench in the works a few months ago–I guess they don’t like the Brigantine’s plans. The last news article I see is from March.
I think the plans were altered to address the Coastal Commission’s concerns. The Union-Tribune has more information but I’ve reached my Internet limit on reading their stuff so I can’t access it.
Cool San Diego Sights! 
Its also so interesting to see how the skyline in a city changes over time, especially when there are big projects going on like this.
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San Diego’s skyline has changed so much in the past number of years, I can barely remember what the city used to look like!
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Know what you mean, its a bit like that when I visit London now, the skyline has changed so much over the last few years.
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When are they going to start building the Portside Pier? Luz
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I’m not sure where the situation stands today. The California Coastal Commission threw a monkey wrench in the works a few months ago–I guess they don’t like the Brigantine’s plans. The last news article I see is from March.
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I think the plans were altered to address the Coastal Commission’s concerns. The Union-Tribune has more information but I’ve reached my Internet limit on reading their stuff so I can’t access it.
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