California Construction News staff writer
San Diego State University has broken ground on the first residential and retail development at its Mission Valley campus in partnership with AvalonBay Communities.
The project, called Avalon Mission Valley, will add 621 apartments and about 30,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space, including a grocery store, on land east of Snapdragon Stadium. It marks the next phase of the university’s multi-decade plan to create a mixed-use community around its new stadium.
The apartments will range from studios to three-bedroom units. Plans also call for public art and sustainable features, with the project designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.
To prepare for construction, parts of the Orange Lot near the stadium will be fenced off, though parking will remain available in other sections. SDSU officials encouraged visitors to use the trolley on event days.
AvalonBay Communities, among the largest publicly traded apartment developers in the U.S., is leading the development effort.
“We’re proud to be part of SDSU’s bold vision for Mission Valley and excited to help bring this new community to life,” said Mark Janda, senior vice president of development for AvalonBay. “This project is more than housing — it’s a catalyst for the vibrant, connected neighborhood that’s taking shape here.”
The first residents are expected to move in by 2028.
At full build-out, SDSU Mission Valley will feature up to 4,600 housing units, 1.6 million square feet of research and innovation space, 95,000 sq. ft. of retail, a hotel, and 80 acres of parks and open space.
