ARCHIVE / STARCHITECT JONATHAN SEGAL EYES NORTH PARK

Rendering of the new North Parker multi-use project 30th & Upas Streets in Historic North Park

Image by Voit Real Estate Services

UPDATE: March 2014 issue of North Park News has an up-to-the-minute article on the project.  UPDATE May 16, 2014 see attached real estate flyer with pictures of the completed project: http://postlets.com/r/3000-upas-st-san-diego-ca-92104/10726709

Jonathan Segal, FAIA
Image by Will Gullette

THE NEW NORTH PARKER—Historic North Park, San Diego’s first suburban “city” is better known in architectural circles for its huge inventory of 1915-era Craftsman Bungalows.  But as the community has morphed into an arts/restaurant/retail and craft beer mecca, is it any wonder that the area is now attracting at least one of the city’s leading architectural lights in Jonathan Segal?

Segal is here.  He’s waded through much of the permitting process and is about to start building a commercial/residential lofts project at Upas and 30^th Streets.

Called the North Parker, the new multi-use project will house four commercial units and about 25+ lofts on the floors above.  It replaces worn out buildings that once housed an ice house and Whitney’s appliance store up until the 1950s.  Until Jan. 1, 2013, the architectural eyesore over the years has been a mishmash of mostly forgettable businesses.

Demolition occurred in April with completion set for the late fall or early 2014. 

Segal Background.

The following excerpt is from the November, 2012 issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles.  Titled, “The Art of Development,” by Mark Hiss.

The Charmer, a recent Middletown project in San Diego by Jonathan Segal

Image by Matthew Segal

“...When Jonathan Segal arrived in San Diego in the 1980s, fresh out of college in Idaho, he had $350 and a ’68 Rambler.

Today, he is a successful architect/builder who has spearheaded the architect as developer movement.  Specializing in housing and mixed-use projects like the Q in Little Italy (where Bencotto restaurant is housed) and the in-progress Canada Dry in mid-town, Segal, lays claim to having constructed more individual buildings in downtown than any other person in San Diego history.

His firm has been awarded a half-dozen national architecture awards, and his multi-family development, The Charmer**, was named 2012’s project of the year by Residential Architect magazine.  The American Institute of Architects California Council has honored Segal, 50, as 2012’s distinguished architect…”

For more on Jonathan Segal click:

Architect as Developer: https://www.architectasdeveloper.com/about

**How Architecture Builds Communities: http://vimeo.com/50638362

Trivia:  When Jonathan Segal completes his North Parker project he will be the second nationally known architect to have a project at that intersection.  Who is the first?

Answer will be posted in tomorrow’s blog (Jan. 30, 2012 posting).

PLEASE NOTE: This blog has received many anonymous comments on the project both pro and con, but Pillar to Post will not publish anonymous comments.  I put my name on all my posts.  If you wish to comment, please include your name with your thoughts.

Photo credit: Projects courtesy of Photographer Matthew Segal; portrait courtesy San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine.  Will Gullette photographer.

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