A detail of the planned Manchester Pacific Gateway on the downtown bayfront.
San Diego, CA (December 10, 2015) — The long odyssey of the Manchester Pacific Gateway, the planned $1.3 billion redevelopment of the 13.7-acre Navy Broadway Complex, in the works for nearly 9 years, has taken the penultimate step toward breaking ground with project approval by Civic San Diego. The approval was announced by Perry Dealy, President and CEO of Dealy Development and project executive for Manchester Pacific Gateway. The final approval from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), expected any time, will empower the Manchester Financial Group to begin construction of the landmark project in the first quarter of 2016 with completion expected by 2019.
“After nine strenuous years of patience and persistence, and working with the coastal commission and city, we are finally getting closer to the day in which we can begin construction on a world-class venue and front door for the San Diego region,” stated Perry Dealy.
The 12.07-acre net development property was granted by voters as the Navy Supply Center in 1920. It currently houses the Navy’s regional headquarters in two buildings that would make way for the new development.
The anticipated Manchester Pacific Gateway will feature 7 buildings totaling 3 million SF within 8-city blocks, including a new 18-story building for the U.S. Navy headquarters.
“It’s more than a single block,” said Heinly. “We have a responsibility to make this collection of buildings complement and enhance not only San Diego’s waterfront but also the rest of San Diego’s urban fabric.”
The project itself is designed by Gensler, the #1 integrated architecture, design, planning and consulting firm in the world. Kevin Heinly, principal and managing director of Gensler’s San Diego office, presented the detailed architectural concept drawings to Civic San Diego for a final-consistency determination on Wednesday.
Together with many other changes coming in the North Embarcadero, Manchester Pacific Gateway represents a complete makeover of what was an industrial zone for most of the 20th century.
“It’s such a dramatic transformation of what’s there now,” said Heinly. “The number of surface parking lots on prime San Diego waterfront property is astonishing. This project will be significant and will create a new edge to downtown, redefining a new entryway to the city.”
Envisioned by Papa Doug Manchester, father of the San Diego Convention Center, the triple five-star Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina, the development is a gateway to San Diego’s booming upscale downtown and tourist community.
“It’s truly a dream for me to build a stunning and engaging gateway for the city I love and call home,” said Papa Doug, “and to do so with the best architectural and development team in the world to ensure that every detail speaks to precision, elegance and style that will last for generations to come. I view this as an opportunity to recruit the best talent, businesses, retail, and hospitality to San Diego and to positively impact our economic growth and create new jobs.”
Earlier this year, the California Coastal Commission approved the plan, as one by one the legal and licensing impediments to development of the Navy Broadway Complex have disappeared. Manchester Financial Group has been committed to working with the Coastal Commission to improve and implement the many proposed changes, ensuring that the development is up to date, and most importantly to feature more public-serving amenities and venues.
“We’re hopeful that we can begin construction soon on one of the foremost waterfront developments on the West Coast,” stated Perry Dealy. “Manchester Pacific Gateway is a project for everyone, for our local communities and for people from around the world to see.”