High Street Village Could Bring a New Walkable Chapter to University City
University City has long been one of San Diego’s most connected places to live, learn, work, and explore. Now, a long-vacant Costa Verde Center site is being reimagined as High Street Village, a proposed mixed-use urban neighborhood with a European-style retail street, cafes, boutique wellness offerings, stores, and a small market. The concept, recently featured by the San Diego Union-Tribune, draws inspiration from the walkable energy people enjoy in Little Italy while giving University City its own distinct neighborhood destination.
The appeal of this story is not just architectural. It is about putting a dormant site back to work for the community. The location sits near UTC, UC San Diego, established employment centers, La Jolla Village Drive, Genesee Avenue, Nobel Drive, and major freeway connections. If the vision is delivered over time, it could add another layer of everyday convenience and social connection to an already important San Diego hub.
There is meaningful progress behind the concept. In late 2025, the City of San Diego approved a land-use action for the 8610 Genesee Avenue site that removed 12.6 acres from the Costa Verde Specific Plan, aligned the site with its Residential Mixed-Use zoning, and approved a tentative-map framework that increased the number of lots from two to 13. That is an important step toward future redevelopment, although it is not the same as a completed project, a confirmed tenant list, or an opening date. The Union-Tribune’s rendering is conceptual, and that distinction matters.
For buyers and renters, the opportunity is to follow a promising neighborhood story with clear eyes. High Street Village may become an attractive future amenity, but a smart decision should be based on what exists today as well as what is officially approved. Review current access to UTC, UC San Diego, transit, shopping, parks, and employment. Ask about the latest site plan, phasing, building permits, potential construction impacts, parking, and any HOA disclosures for a nearby property. A future destination can add to a location’s appeal, while thorough due diligence keeps expectations grounded.
Nearby sellers and owners have a strong message to share right now. University City already offers valuable access to jobs, education, health care, retail, and regional transportation. Those established strengths deserve to lead the conversation. A careful marketing plan can also acknowledge an evolving neighborhood without turning an unbuilt concept into a guaranteed value claim.
High Street Village reflects an encouraging direction for San Diego growth: underused land becoming a potential place for daily life, local services, and walkable connection. If you are considering a move near UTC or University City, our team can help you distinguish today’s verified market advantages from tomorrow’s possibilities and identify the property that makes sense for your goals.
Read the original article: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/09/18/meet-high-street-village-the-little-italy-inspired-neighborhood-replacing-costa-verde-center/