7:05 am. There is a beeping that wakes me, but it’s not my alarm. It sounds like beeping from something in reverse. I step out of my room and peer out the windows across the street. One lone bulldozer, driving back and forth pushing dirt around. They have broken ground on IDEA1.

If you aren’t familiar with IDEA1, it “is the first step to establishing the District’s vision of becoming San Diego’s design + technology innovation hub.” Located in the block bounded by E, F, Park & 13^th Streets, IDEA1 is the first building in the larger I.D.E.A. District of the East Village in San Diego. I.D.E.A. stands for Innovation, Design, Education, and Arts, their vision is to transform the 35 city blocks of the District over the next 8-12 years and create 13,000+ design and tech jobs.

IDEA1 is the start of that vision. It will be a six-story multi-use building. 292 units of housing (studios, 1, and 2 bedrooms), 5000+ sf of retail and restaurant space, and 8000+ sf of office space. The designers sat down with some of San Diego’s young, highly educated, creative people to see what they would want in a community and incorporated their thoughts into the design of IDEA1. From an open courtyard in the middle of the building to cabanas, BBQs, and a fitness area on the rooftop, this building is sure to be highly sought after by the residents and companies they are trying to attract.

The official groundbreaking is this Tuesday, November 3^rd from 4-6pm with celebration at Quartyard after that from 6-10pm. The East Village continues to grow up before our eyes and I’m going to have a window seat to watch this innovative building being built.

IDEA 1 from BREADTRUCK FILMS on Vimeo.