Featured Property: The Grande South Townhome #102

So you are thinking about parting with the big house and all of its expense in the suburbs and starting a new life downtown but you can’t quite get your arms around living in a one-story condo several hundred feet off of the ground and riding an elevator to your front door.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Welcome yourself home at The Grande South Town“home” 102. Wander around 1956 square feet of living space over 3 levels, 2-and- a-half baths and 2 bedrooms plus a 3rd floor bonus room for your office, family/movie room or 3rd bedroom. This square footage does NOT include two oversized outdoor patios and a private ground floor terrace for your outdoor table, lounge furniture, water features and garden.

But what will it be like to not have a pool, a hot tub and a grill in your backyard? This townhome has ALL three in the backyard PLUS a full fitness center, steam room, and dry sauna!!! Sounds pretty ridiculous, huh? Not at the Grande South. As a townhome owner, all of these amenities would be just steps outside your front door.

Speaking of front doors, Townhome 102 has TWO of them! One has a private gated entry from the street with an intercom that can identify your guests arriving. The other faces a perfectly landscaped garden trellis corridor. No gardener needed. The gardener, the pool boy and the janitorial staff that maintains the fitness center, sauna and steam room are all PROVIDED by the Grande South Home Owners Association. They also provide a concierge to handle all of your packages, drycleaning, taxi cab calls and reservations. 24/7 on-site security and property management makes sure the Grande South maintains its beauty and exclusivity.

And here’s something your suburban home doesn’t have: a CRUISE SHIP in your backyard!!! Stand on the west facing balcony to see the many cruise ships and other yachts that pull into San Diego Bay.

As the owner of the Grande South Townhome 102, there is no roof to maintain, no garage to clean, no grass to mow and no hedges to trim. Heck, you might even stop DRIVING on the weekends! The Grande South is perfectly situated for morning and evening walks along the bay, catching the ferry to Coronado, a stroll down Little Italy’s restaurant row, or a quick run to Starbucks. Need to catch the train to north county or LA? You won’t find a property that is closer to the historic Santa Fe Depot – right next to San Diego’s Museum of Modern Art.

This particular townhome is rare. It is one of only three that overlook the pool. It is also highly upgraded with additional espresso colored cabinetry, shelving, a wetbar, and many audio/visual components. Grande South Townhome is being sold completely furnished.

The Grande South community is situated in the prestigious Columbia District. In terms of value-add and property appreciation for the future, The Grande South couldn't be more ideally situated across the North Embarcadero ~ downtown's most accessible portion of the bay often referred to as downtown San Diego's "front porch." Check out our blog about the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. According to an update from CCDC last week, there will be a shovel in the ground on this new project by November 2009! Check out all of the latest details about the NEVP by clicking here.

Take a look here at the virtual floor plan and hover over all of the camera icons on the floor plan map. You will see multiple camera angles of this property. The Grande South Townhome is a MUST SEE. Call us to schedule your tour today.

Featured Property: The Grande South #501

It is hard to forget something that just looks and feels right when you see it. The Grande South #501

The Grande South #501 is the lowest priced condo in either the Grande South or The Grande North with this spacious floor plan. This particular condo has beautiful cherry wood flooring & cabinetry in addition to audio wiring that allows any sound system to be heard throughout the condo. The Grande South also comes with 2 parking spaces and a storage area.

The Grande South 501 is located in one of downtown's premier waterfront properties. Walk into a community full of luxury amenities including an 80+ ft lap pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, fitness center, amenity room with a flatscreen/pool table/catering kitchen, 24/7 security, concierge staff, and onsite property management. offers that experience at a price point that puts you into more square footage at a reasonable price. The 1684 sq ft layout is far superior than most 2+den condos in downtown in that it has a generous amount of room definition, closet space, water & cruise ship views and lots of natural light.

The Grande South community is situated in the prestigious Columbia District. In terms of value-add and property appreciation for the future, The Grande South couldn't be more ideally situated across the North Embarcadero ~ downtown's most accessible portion of the bay often referred to as downtown San Diego's "front porch." Check out our blog about the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. According to an update from CCDC last week, there will be a shovel in the ground on this new project by November 2009! Check out all of the of the latest details about the NEVP by clicking here.

Take a look at the virtual floorplan and hover over the camera icons inside. You will see multiple camera angles of this property. The Grande South #501 is beautifully staged to accentuate the functionality of this large condominium at an affordable price. Come see it for yourself by contacting me at 619-857-2289 or at pete@92101urbanliving.com.

A look inside Downtown San Diego's North Embarcadero Visionary Plan

According to SignOnSanDiego.com, "Officials have approved the first phase of a plan for redesigned streets, landscaping, lighting and public amenities along North Harbor Drive. The first phase is expected to cost $28 million, with the overall plan costing $200 million." For the full story, read Jeanette Steele's San Diego Union Tribune article written on October 6th, 2008 by clicking on "Bayfront face-lift concept takes wing."

The picture above is a bird's-eye virtual view seen from the bay. Jacarandas and towering palms will be the visual focal points of the first phase of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.

* Check out other virtual pictures of Downtown San Diego's future waterfront by clicking here.

* See where all the architectural elements will be located along Harbor Drive by clicking here.

* Gotta love public commentary! It seems that the court of public opinion is not so positive about some of the architectural design elements. What do you think? Check out other people's thoughts on SignOnSanDiego's website by clicking here. Then click on the photo next to the existing commentary, scroll to the bottom, and write your own!

Let me know what you think by clicking on the Comment link below. -Pete Thistle, pete@92101urbanliving.com

Convention Center Expansion

Just South of the existing Convention Center is a big patch of dirt. On one side is the San Diego Convention Center. On the other side is the Embarcadero Marina Park South that features basketball courts, the Summer Pops and Joe’s Crab Shack. The big patch of dirt in between is not a serene, park-like, dear to the hearts of San Diegans aquatic environs. It’s a place that looks like it’s used to dump bodies after mob style hits take place. All that may change soon.
In today’s Union Tribune the article shows a detail map pinpointing the spot where the much needed extension to the convention center will go along with a proposed hotel. Both items are necessary to keep big conventions such as Comic Con International from leaving and going to Los Angeles or Las Vegas. With the delays in the Ballpark Village, which is only keeping our Downtown from growing to its potential, this could be the thing that steps up to the plate to keep us moving in a positive direction as an urban center.
As it stands, our convention center is now too small for 5 different conventions (Radiological Society of North America, National Association of Music Merchandisers, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and International Helicopter Association)that could result in the loss of roughly $700 million in revenue for the city. If we can’t grow our existing convention space we stand to lose another $520 million in revenue for the city by losing the Society For Neuroscience, Comic-Con International, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and AARP conventions. Do you see why expanding the current space is necessary? Why places like Ballpark Village are necessary? People need to move on beyond their falsely promised “protected views” and think beyond themselves. I have roughly 1.2 Billion reasons why it needs to happen!
Places like this possible expansion, Ballpark Village, the Main Library and the pedestrian bridge are absolutely needed for our city to grow and thrive and continue to be a place of destination. On a similar note, if I hear one more person say the 10th Avenue terminal deck is a bad idea because of football I’m gonna rip my hair out. For the love of Pete, stop being myopic! As for my hair- it’s all gone already. -Chad Cavanaugh, 92101 Urban Living

San Diego Deemed Undervalued

In today’s Union Tribune the article states that three years ago, San Diego was one of the most overvalued markets by 39%. Three years later, with the distressed property market on the rise, San Diego is now considered one of these most undervalued markets in the nation. A market is deemed undervalued when it falls 15% below what is considered fair value. If this isn’t a buyer’s market I don’t know what is. - Chad Cavanaugh, 92101 Urban Living

Selecting Your Listing Team

It occurred to me recently that while showing a number of properties in my Downtown San Diego Neighborhood that the listing agents of these properties were not from the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood. So, when asked specific questions regarding the properties there wasn’t a direct answer but a hesitation, and “I don’t know but I’ll get back to you” responses. Honestly, I hope everything works out for them. For anyone who has not yet listed their home but is considering it, I suggest to do the following.
Interview as many teams as possible. Find true Downtown San Diego Real Estate specialists. Find out what they know about the home itself, the building, the HOA stability, and the future of the neighborhood. What tools would they use to market your home for maximum exposure? What technological advances are they going to bring to the table to set your home apart from the others out there that are described as the following: Newly built hip urban condo close to the ballpark and horton plaza. Includes granite countertops, city views etc. Are you being told you can get a certain amount for your home, and is that amount being backed up with numbers? Do they live in the Downtown San Diego Complex where you live? If not, do they live in the Downtown neighborhood? If not, do they ever spend any time in the neighborhood besides Gaslamp bars and baseball games at Petco Park? Do they have knowledge of the developer that built the community, and finally…are they familiar with the different floorplans in your building?
Please take the time to actually ask these questions. Find the Downtown San Diego Real estate Broker that can answer any question regarding your home without hesitation or confusion. Find the team that lives in the building, or lived in the building at one time… OR has possibly sat on the HOA board for that building. Does your choice have knowledge of the team of people who sold the building originally for the developer or had some connection with that developer as it pertained to the sales and marketing of that building i.e. Sales Manager, Preferred Lender etc?
We, look forward to sitting with you, as a 92101 Urban Living Team, in your living room or in our office while you ask us these questions.

Written by Chad Cavanaugh, member of the 92101 Urban Living Team. Originally posted on September 8, 2009 at www.92101urbanliving.com/blog

THE GUILD RESTAURANT

Ever been to a restaurant with "views" of a real machine shop where some of San Diego's finest restaurants & homes have their custom wood & metal creations fabricated?

Venture over to Barrio Logan and check out THE GUILD at 1805 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113 Tel# 619.564-7584. It will take you all of about 3 minutes to drive there from the Gaslamp. If you know how to get to the foot of the Gaslamp (the end of 5th at Harbor Drive by the Convention Ctr), take a left (head east) on Harbor Dr. and continue for about a mile to Beardsley (before you get to your 2nd light at Caesar Chavez). Go left over the tracks and up two blocks. You can't miss it on the right. There's great parking in a lot next to the restaurant.

When you arrive, you'll generally see LOTS of people at the bar. Happy hour is 5-6pm and again from 10-11pm. There's a very cool crowd at The Guild...a little secret getaway for many. You may run into some of San Diego's artists and architects here. One of the owners, Paul Basile, is a contractor himself. Paul has been a peer of the downtown arts community for more than a decade.

Inside you will find the decor a unique blend of urban chic where concrete meets Kirei (a reclaimed agricultural fiber from the Sorghum plant grown around the world for food). How "green" is that?

Plan on small bites ~ almost tapas in style ~ as a way to sample many unique dishes there. Rich in flavor but light in preparation... clean & decorative in the way it's beautifully plated. Also plan on trying a wine you most likely can't buy at any supermarket. No ridiculous prices here and a very nice variety.

Live music seems to be extinct in this day and age ~ but not at the Guild. Come on a Friday evening to hear something that's really "live."

Looking for great "chill" lounge where you can hang out & actually see/hear other people without a $20 cover? Check out the lounge upstairs. The long table seating was designed for people to meet their neighbors :)

If you are craving "original," check out The Guild.

A Photo Journey Through Downtown San Diego by Chad Cavanaugh

Check out A Photo Journey Through Downtown San Diego by Chad Cavanaugh. This isn't your everyday coffee table book ~ it's a conversation piece! Chalk full of real people, real dogs, real architecture and real photos the photographer went to great lengths to capture the color of neighborhood living in 92101. It moved me to mumbling phrases out loud such as "I know where that is" or "Wow- What an interesting perspective." It will be different for everyone who sees it.

Check out sample pages of this book via the website link above. For anyone who is local to downtown, there is a copy of this book in the 92101 Urban Living office which I would gladly let you thumb through. At $43.95, it's a great gift idea or condowarming gift. Let me know how it moves you! -Pete


The following related blog was written by Mike Ciampa at http://www.92101urbanliving.com/. His original post can be found at: http://www.92101urbanliving.com/blog/downtown-san-diego-urban-lifestyle/make-your-mark-on-downtown-san-diego/234/

One of the best aspects of an Urban Lifestyle is the community that you instantly become a part of. These communities become even more specific to the Downtown San Diego neighborhoods, complex, and floor that you live on. I always tell clients that you are buying a “smaller piece of the pie” to obtain “location, location, location”. The point of location is that you are not supposed to be hold up in your 1000 square foot Downtown San Diego Condo or Loft all of the time. You are meant to be out enjoying your community. One of the most interesting aspects of watching clients and friends embrace their new lifestyle is seeing how they chose to get involved and put their “personal stamp” on what the neighborhood is developing into. Are they going to join community groups, participate in social events, or even start a business? Our resident “Rock Star”, East Village Mayor, and Downtown Specialist Chad Cavanaugh has decided to do something really cool. In addition to playing acoustic guitar at local East Village spots like Mondo Gelato and Java Jones, he decided that he would put together a book on some of the photography he has taken of Downtown. Who knew that he even had talent or an eye? One day when walking with his wife and new baby, he decided to take a few shots and the rest is history. You can tell from the pictures that his vision is filled with true passion for the lifestyle and streets that we walk every day. Use the following link to preview and BUY the book entitled “A Photo Journey Through Downtown San Diego”. Way to go Chad…we are proud of you!!I think that everyone living In Downtown San Diego should step back and take note of what is possible. Ask yourselves what you can do to make these neighborhoods a more interesting and better place to live. -Mike Ciampa mike@92101urbanliving.com