Before the redevelopment of downtown San Diego, the area now known as the “Marina District” (bounded by Broadway, San Diego Bay, First Avenue and Harbor Drive) was San Diego’s warehouse district. The district is recognized as the premier residential area of Downtown. The fashionable Marina District features the finest of everything San Diego has to offer.
When Walter Smyk built The Meridian in 1984, many people thought he had lost his mind, or was, at least a very foolish man because downtown living would never catch on in Southern California. It turns out he was as much a visionary as Alonzo Horton was in 1867 when he bought much of what is now downtown with the intent of moving the center of commerce from Old Town to “ New Town”.
The land on which Renaissance sits was, for many years the site of an automotive repair facility. L & L Center purchased the land in the late 1990’s and Roel Construction began work on the project in 2000. The North Tower was the first tower to be completed in the fall of 2002, and the South Tower was completed in the spring of 2003.
There are 221 residential units (approximately 400 residents) and 7 commercial units. The residences are contained in the North and South towers and in the low-rise building. The commercial units are located in the street level on G Street and First Avenue. The buildings are configured as follows:
North Tower
- Units are numbered 01-07 (there is no number 02, except on the third floor).
- The third floor (Lobby level) units are two story units.
- Floors 5 through 19 have 6 units per floor.
- Floor 20 has 4 two-story units.
- Floor 22 has 2 two-story penthouse units.
South Tower
- Units are numbered 08-14 (there is no number 13, except on the third floor).
- The third floor (Lobby level) units are two story units.
- Floors 5 through 19 have 6 units per floor.
- Floor 20 has 4 units.
- Floor 21 has 3 units.
- Floor 22 has 2 two-story penthouse units.
There are 4 townhouse units in the low-rise building on the plaza level. Additionally, there are 6 two-story units on the street level on Front and on Market Streets.