West is part of a multi-parcel development in downtown San Diego’s Civic Core, transforming a former three-block courthouse and jail site into a connected, mixed-use community. Located prominently at Broadway and Front Street, West introduces 431 residential units, including 87 affordable units, along with 300,000 square feet of office and 17,000 square feet of retail to create a 24/7 urban destination.
The project replaces a government-only environment with a mix of uses designed to strengthen civic and social connectivity. West sits within a “green street” corridor of public venues and parks that link adjacent municipal buildings and serve as a public benefit for the larger downtown community. The design also required the coordination of a new underground pedestrian tunnel to connect the San Diego County Jail and the new courthouse.
Connectivity was central to the vision for West, both physically and socially. Externally, the design builds on existing infrastructure, leveraging nearby trolley, bus, and rail lines to support a walkable, transit-oriented downtown. Internally, landscaped terraces and shared amenities foster interaction between residential, office, and retail uses, reinforcing West’s identity as a mixed-use hub.
Community engagement played a key role in shaping the design, with public input helping balance car access, pedestrian priority, and ground-floor activation. These conversations informed a pedestrian-first framework with a highly transparent, active perimeter to bring consistent energy to the surrounding streets.
Carrier Johnson + Culture designed West as an active participant in the city’s life rather than an isolated architectural object. The public realm strategy connects to an enhanced pedestrian network along Union Street and responds to the unique character of each surrounding street frontage, creating a ground plane designed for experience as much as access.
West was recognized with a 2025 Gold Nugget Award of Merit, honoring its role in redefining San Diego’s Civic Core through thoughtful urban design and mixed-use integration.
