If you've walked through Seaport Village recently, you've seen a waterfront that still draws visitors but hasn't had a major upgrade in decades. The tree roots are buckling the pavement. Some of the shops feel frozen in the 1980s. The views are still stunning, San Diego Bay, the USS Midway Museum, the Coronado Bridge, but the infrastructure underneath doesn't match what's around it.
That's about to change. Seaport San Diego is a $3.8 billion redevelopment plan that would transform 70 acres of land and water along the Central Embarcadero into a completely reimagined waterfront. The developer, 1HWY1, was selected by the Port of San Diego in 2016. The project has been evolving since then based on community feedback, environmental studies, and financial feasibility work. It's now in environmental review, and the scope of what's proposed is enormous.
What's in the Plan
The centerpiece is a 500-foot observation tower with panoramic viewing decks, restaurants, and attractions. It's designed to become a new icon of the San Diego skyline. Next to it: a world-class aquarium focused on coastal ecology, designed for education and research as much as tourism. Hotels, shops, and restaurants fill out the commercial core. An urban beach, yes, a beach along the Embarcadero, would offer areas for kayaking, volleyball, and BBQs. Upgraded commercial fishing facilities, new piers, marinas, and day-use boat docks expand public water access.
The numbers: 16 acres of public parks, plazas, and walking paths. The existing 20-foot-wide Embarcadero walkway triples to 60 feet. Over one mile of waterfront access is being returned to the public. The developer states 72% of the site will be public realm. Underground parking structures totaling 2,100-plus spaces keep cars out of sight.
Where It Stands Now
The Port of San Diego is the lead agency on the Environmental Impact Report. The project still needs approvals from the Port Commission, the California Coastal Commission, and the City of San Diego before construction can begin. That timeline is measured in years, not months. Port officials have said it's at least five years before ground could break, probably more. And construction itself would take seven to nine years, phased across multiple stages.
The existing Seaport Village businesses are in limbo. The Port took over management in 2018 and has been bringing in new shops and restaurants. Gaf Gaffen, CEO of 1HWY1, has publicly committed that any existing Seaport Village business that wants to stay will be able to stay. But that's a promise against a long and uncertain timeline.
What It Means for Downtown
If Seaport San Diego gets built, it redefines the entire western edge of downtown San Diego. The Embarcadero already has the Maritime Museum, the Waterfront Park, and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Adding an observation tower, aquarium, and 16 acres of new parkland would create a waterfront district that competes with any in North America.
For businesses already operating in downtown dining, lodging, and entertainment, the long-term effect is straightforward: more foot traffic, more tourism, more reasons for people to spend time (and money) downtown. The InterContinental on the waterfront, the Marriott Marquis, and the Hilton Bayfront all stand to benefit from a reimagined waterfront on their doorstep.
It's a generational project. And it's still early. But the vision is on paper, the environmental review is underway, and the Port's 2026 chair, Ann Moore, has made waterfront access her theme for the year. This one is worth watching.
