SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (Dec. 8, 2022) – Seaport San Diego has been honored with a prestigious design award, the latest milestone for this transformative redevelopment proposed for the Downtown San Diego waterfront within the Port of San Diego. The $3.6 billion project is currently preparing to enter the environmental review process, a critical step for any large development. Now, the project team has been presented with the 2022 ICSC GOLD Award for Evolving Innovation and Aspiration in the New Developments category. ICSC highlighted Seaport San Diego’s design for dramatically increasing coastal access, recreational space, activities and water views of San Diego Bay while providing improved commercial fishing facilities and creating unique features including an iconic observation Tower, Aquarium, Learning Center and Blue Tech Innovation Center.

As the member organization for industry advancement, ICSC promotes and elevates the marketplaces and spaces where people shop, dine, work, play and gather as foundational and vital ingredients of communities and economies. Its Global Design & Development Awards Program recognizes outstanding achievements in design and development of marketplaces properties and retail store design. This year’s winners were announced at the annual ceremony Dec. 1, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. “This design provides contemporary experiences designed to prioritize accessible waterfront recreation with 16-plus acres of open space,” ICSC stated in the video accompanying the award presentation.  

​Master architect James Mellor, AIA, NCARB, Principal of CallisonRTKL Inc., accepted the award on behalf of the project team. 

“Seaport is really a love letter for San Diego – a once-in-a-lifetime project – and we are grateful to ICSC for recognizing the passion and quality of this innovative design in enhancing public access and economic development for this cherished site,” Mellor said. “We have had tremendous momentum this year and we are excited about where it’s going as we advance this truly world-class waterfront for our beautiful San Diego Bay.”

The Seaport San Diego developer is the 1HWY1 Partnership, made up of Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen, Jeff Jacobs and Jeffrey Essakow. 

“Seaport San Diego is more than just an urban redevelopment project – it’s the expression of our hopes and dreams for future generations and our passion for being a good steward of the ocean and the planet,” said Gaffen, 1HWY1’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our process has been progressive, with community input shaping every part of the design. We are humbled to receive the ICSC GOLD Award and hope to serve as a model for other developments that put the community first.”

With strong public support, Seaport San Diego is endorsed by hundreds of San Diego residents and organizations including the Downtown San Diego Partnership, San Diego County Building & Construction Trades Council, UNITE-HERE, San Diego Airport Authority, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Regional EDC, TMA BlueTech and YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County, among many others.

1HWY1 was selected by the Port of San Diego for its Seaport San Diego concept after a competitive process in 2016 in which developers submitted ideas for the land and water area known as the Central Embarcadero. This area includes Seaport Village, Santa Monica Seafood (formerly Chesapeake Fish), and surrounding areas between the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the USS Midway Museum, with some exclusions. The Port initiated the redevelopment to create more public space on the water, extend streets to the water, preserve and enhance view corridors and facilitate the enjoyment of the bay.

The project team spent years refining its proposed project in response to Board and stakeholder feedback, due diligence findings, and input from prospective partners. The Port held four public meetings to consider Seaport San Diego in 2022, a year of great momentum. 

A major milestone took place on November 8, 2022; the Board of Port Commissioners unanimously voted to move the project into the California Environmental Quality Act review process. Environmental review is expected to take at least two years, after which the project may be considered for approval. Based on meeting all milestones, 1HWY1 projects that a groundbreaking could take place in 2025.    

​ABOUT SEAPORT SAN DIEGO:
Seaport San Diego is a proposal by 1HWY1 to revitalize a key section of the San Diego Bayfront thoughtfully and boldly for the next century of San Diego visitors and residents. The project would bolster access, use, and enjoyment of the waterfront for all. The proposal includes significant recreational open space, including parks and landscaping, recreation areas, a public promenade, walkways and walking paths, public piers and a new public urban beach; an activated observation Tower, which will serve as an iconic and engaging attraction complete with restaurants, observation decks, and gathering spaces for all to celebrate the San Diego waterfront; a new living shoreline area with constructed artificial wetlands and tidepools; a Blue Campus featuring an Aquarium, Learning Center and Blue Tech Innovation Center; a unique variety of experiential retail, restaurants as well as health and wellness offerings; multiple hospitality options comprised of lodging suitable for all income levels to create 24/7 activity, along with convention and meeting space. Key elements include a revitalized commercial fishing harbor, fish processing facility and elevated deck for public viewing at the historic Tuna Harbor site; a vibrant event center for hosting concerts, live events and other amenities; and unparalleled public water access including public access piers, marinas, and day use docks and slips. For more information, please visit seaportsandiegoca.com.