San Diego State University
HR&A supported San Diego State University to develop the vision and business plan for a 1.6 million square foot Innovation District at SDSU Mission Valley, a transformative mixed-use development on a 165-acre transit-oriented site. We guided master plan refinement and are supporting procurement of a developer for up to 500,000 square feet of research space, positioning SDSU to expand career opportunities for its 35,000 students while growing its $5.7 billion annual regional economic impact.Â
SDSU Mission Valley represents a bold institutional commitment to expanding educational, research, and entrepreneurial missions through real estate development to serve both university and community goals. The larger development includes residential units, a multi-use stadium, extensive parks and open space, and the Innovation District which is designed to create interdisciplinary hubs for research and innovation. HR&A’s work focused on defining SDSU’s vision and translating that into a space program, key private-sector partnerships, and entrepreneurial programming. Our goal was to balance academic objectives with financial sustainability, ensuring the Innovation District would effectively support the university’s research expansion while attracting diverse private, public, and nonprofit sector collaborators.Â
The refined vision and implementation strategy enabled SDSU to Lincoln Property Group as a development partner, and laid the groundwork for a partnership with the San Diego Community College District to develop a first building. Through ongoing support of developer negotiations, HR&A continues helping SDSU realize its vision of an innovation ecosystem that enhances educational outcomes, expands research capabilities, and strengthens economic development throughout the San Diego region.Â
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