SAN DIEGO — A plan to transform Horton Plaza in Downtown San Diego was unanimously approved by the San Diego City Council on Monday. The plan by Stockdale Capital Partners is called “The Campus at Horton,” a project they say will create an employment and entertainment complex to house up to 4,000 high-tech jobs. The new plan doesn't require tearing down the mall or parking structure but will instead renovate with anchor stores like Macy's staying.
The Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm acquired Horton Plaza last August from prior owner-operator Westfield with the intention of redeveloping the dilapidated shopping center, which opened in 1985.
The city council also approved reducing the current retail deed restriction on the property, which developers say will immediately create the opportunity to construct the planned high-tech office space.
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“Combined with San Diego’s strong talent pool, The Campus at Horton creates the needed space that will attract industry-leading innovation economy companies to San Diego," said Dan Michaels, Managing Partner at Stockdale Capital Partners.
Developers say The Campus at Horton will include 700,000 square feet of office space and 300,000 square feet of retail space. Stockdale Capital Partners plans to begin construction later this year, with estimated completion by the end of 2020.
“Just as Horton Plaza reshaped Downtown San Diego more than three decades ago, the Campus at Horton will be a catalyst for growing San Diego’s innovation economy and enhancing the Downtown San Diego lifestyle,” said Betsy Brennan, President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
This footage from the News 8 archives shows Horton Plaza in happier times on opening day in 1985.
