Developments and construction projects taking shape in San Diego right now

The hotel project approved for Harbor Island.

The hotel project approved for Harbor Island. | Rendering via Sunroad Enterprises and Carrier Johnson + Culture

There are lots of development projects happening in San Diego in 2022 (and beyond) that’ll add to the landscape of our city + bring growth to our local economy. We’ve got eyes on a brand-new theme park, an expansion at a local college, new hotels, and more. Here are some quick highlights.

Rendering of Sesame Place San Diego

The theme park will feature a replica “Sesame Street” neighborhood. | Rendering via Sesame Place San Diego

🎢 Sesame Place San Diego
2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
We know it’s easy to have “Sunny Days” in San Diego, and this new 17-acre theme park will keep the vibes going. Located at the former site of Aquatica in San Diego’s South Bay, Sesame Place will open this March. You can expect: “Sesame Street” themed rides, a life-size interactive neighborhood (just like you see in the show), an interactive musical play area, 11 water attractions, a 500,000-gallon wave pool + live character shows.

A rendering of a new learning and resource complex at Grossmont College in San Diego's East County.

A rendering of the project at Grossmont College. | Via Gafcon, Inc.

🏫 Expansion at Grossmont College
8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon
A $49.3 million project is underway at the East County college that’ll add a Math, Science, and Career Complex. According to The San Diego Business Journal, the 61,390-sqft building will house a Veterans Resource Center to serve the 700+ US military vets enrolled at the college. The complex will also feature new classrooms, a math computer lab, a tutoring center, offices + an observation deck. The topping-out ceremony was last month, with the complex expected to be finished in April 2023.

🏨 Sunroad Hotel Project
Harbor Island Drive, west of Safe Harbor Sunroad Marina
The Port of San Diego says this waterfront development from Sunroad HIE Hotel Partners, L.P., will consist of a 450-room hotel featuring amenities open to the public like a walk-up restaurant + bar, a 15-foot-wide promenade, and artwork. The site of this project covers about 7.55 acres along the “Elbow Parcel” — that area that’s shaped like an elbow at 851 Harbor Island Dr. This project could break ground as early as next year.

San Elijo Lagoon overlooking the I-5 San Elijo highway bridge in December 2021

San Elijo Lagoon overlooking the I-5 San Elijo highway bridge in December 2021. | Photo via SANDAG

🚗 San Elijo Lagoon Highway Bridge
I-5, above Manchester Avenue
SANDAG, Caltrans + Build NCC are continuing to work on improvements to the San Elijo Lagoon Highway Bridge that’ll help accommodate the new carpool/HOV lanes being added along Interstate 5. When work is completed this spring on the lengthened + widened bridge, one carpool/HOV lane + four general traffic lanes will be routed to the north and southbound sides of the bridge.

🏨 Home2Suites by Hilton
San Marcos, North County
Hotel Investment Group is planning to develop a 110-room hotel in San Marcos — hoping to attract the medical community at Palomar Hospital + visitors to the area’s golf courses and Legoland. Construction is set to start this summer, with the hotel completed in 2023.

🥙 Joya Organic Kitchen at The Boardwalk
Science Center Drive, Torrey Pines
Construction recently wrapped on a $173 million life science + medical office project in Torrey Pines known as “The Boardwalk.” The 195,000-sqft campus features offices, labs + lots of tenants and, come next month, will also boast a 4,000-sqft Joya Organic Kitchen serving breakfast, lunch + happy hour.

An aerial view of the New T1, looking southwest.

An aerial view of the New T1, looking southwest. | Photo via San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

✈️ The “New T1”
A $3.4 billion project to replace Terminal 1 at the San Diego International Airport is underway. We’ve got details on the massive project here.

Balboa Park Botanical Building rendering with renovations

A watercolor illustration of the renovated Botanical Building by Al Forester. | Via Forever Balboa Park

🌿 Botanical Building renovations
Balboa Park
The iconic Botanical Building closed for renovations earlier this month. Construction is set to begin this spring; the project timeline is still being worked out. More on the glow-up here.

Psst…this list isn’t meant to be comprehensive. If there’s a construction or development project happening in San Diego County that you’d like to share with us, send the info our way. We love hearing about new developments + businesses shaping up our neighborhoods