California Construction News staff writer
San Diego State University, with Merrill Gardens, PMB, and Pillar Properties, announced plans to build a senior living community as part of the development of SDSU Mission Valley.
Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2027 and be completed by 2030, with a leasing office anticipated to open in fall 2028. First occupancy is expected as early as 2030.
The project is described as a “university-centric senior living community” that will add to the growing mix of uses at SDSU Mission Valley.
A seven-story, 295,000-sq. ft. community will include 224 independent and assisted living residences, 26 memory care residences, a restaurant and bistro, community room, fitness center, rooftop deck, pool and outdoor courtyard.
Located along Jacaranda Street and Innovation Parkway within SDSU Mission Valley, the project will be built near the district’s growing network of housing, open space, recreation and neighborhood-serving amenities.
The project, which will go before the California State University governing Board of Trustees for approval, will provide residents with access to a university-connected environment that supports an active and intellectually stimulating lifestyle near parks, open space, transit, recreation and neighborhood amenities. The project is also targeting LEED Gold certification.
“The vision for this project is rooted in SDSU’s commitment to serve our intergenerational SDSU community,” said SDSU president Adela de la Torre. “We can’t wait to see SDSU alumni, retired faculty, and so many others take advantage of this unique living environment to deepen their relationship with SDSU.”
PMB and Pillar Properties are serving as co-developers for the project. Merrill Gardens will manage the community. Urbal Architecture is the architect. The general contractor and financing partners will be announced later.
“This project reflects something we at PMB are deeply passionate about; the idea that a senior living community can not only integrate seamlessly into a university master plan, but also enhance campus vibrancy, catalyze additional development, and promote meaningful intergenerational relationships among residents, students, faculty, and visitors,” said Nolan Weinberg, senior vice president of development at PMB. “We believe this is a model worth replicating, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to life alongside our partners on the project.”
In May, SDSU and Chelsea Investment Corporation broke ground on Addison, a 126-unit affordable housing development in SDSU Mission Valley. In August 2025, AvalonBay Communities broke ground on the site’s first market-rate residential development..
At full buildout, SDSU Mission Valley will include 80 acres of parks and open space, up to 4,600 market-rate and affordable housing units, 1.6 million sq. ft. of research and innovative space, 95,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and a hotel, in addition to Snapdragon Stadium. SDSU acquired the former city-owned property under a voter-approved 2018 ballot initiative,
Additional information about the development is available on the SDSU Mission Valley website.
