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Thursday, April 3, 2025

THE FOODIST / SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

New South Park Commons, San Diego, 30th & Beech. 
Photo: Lori Weisberg, Union Tribune.

Creative Business Site Sharing: The New Wave of Collaborative Spaces in San Diego:

In the wake of the pandemic, many businesses across the country have been faced with new challenges. While some have struggled to stay afloat, others have found innovative ways to thrive by sharing space, pooling resources, and creating dynamic hubs that not only benefit individual businesses but also invigorate their communities. 

A prime example of this trend can be seen in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego, where a formerly vacant space has been transformed into a bustling community hub. The newly minted South Park Commons brings together a diverse group of businesses, including Bock, a German-centric beer bar, and Stella Jean’s, a delightful ice cream and pie shop. 

These businesses share a location, creating a synergy that benefits both owners and patrons alike. The South Park Commons project was initiated by property owner Gilbert Lee, who purchased the building housing both the former Hamilton’s Tavern and Kindred. With the help of seasoned entrepreneurs like Brian Jensen (Bock) and Steven Torres (Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s), Lee crafted a unique community space. Not only did he aim to revitalize the area, but he also sought to bring a sense of cohesion, creating a draw that benefits all the businesses within it. This collaborative approach stands as a testament to the success of site sharing in revitalizing commercial areas and enhancing neighborhood charm. 

The benefits of such collaborations extend beyond the obvious financial advantages. By operating in close proximity, these businesses elevate the area’s profile, increase foot traffic, and provide patrons with more reasons to visit. For instance, customers stopping by 1517 30th Street can enjoy a craft beer at Bock, savor a slice of pie from Pop Pie Co., and indulge in a scoop of Stella Jean’s ice cream – all in one vibrant location. Each business complements the others, offering a unique yet cohesive experience for visitors. 

By sharing physical spaces, these businesses help promote a stronger sense of community and increase the likelihood of success. As seen in the South Park example, each participating business can benefit from increased exposure and customer flow that might have otherwise been impossible when operating in isolation. In a time when resilience and innovation are crucial, the creative use of shared spaces presents an opportunity to reimagine how businesses can collaborate, support each other, and, ultimately, thrive together. 

Whether it’s a craft beer bar, an artisanal ice cream shop, or a co-working space, the future of business could very well lie in shared locations, where community, collaboration, and creativity converge. 

OTHER FOOD HALL CONCEPTS IN SAN DIEGO

Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands, California Located one suburb north of San Diego, Sky Deck offers a rooftop dining experience with multiple food vendors, providing a variety of cuisines and brews in a vibrant atmosphere. 


Liberty Public Market – San Diego, California Situated in Point Loma, this market features a diverse selection of local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal foods, and unique culinary experiences in a historic setting. 


Barrio Food Hub: Located at 2707 Boston Ave in Barrio Logan, the Barrio Food Hub operates as a modern food hall featuring over 50 restaurants. They offer pickup and delivery services through various apps, providing a diverse range of culinary options to the community.  


Wednesday, April 2, 2025

DESIGN / ELIZABETH LINE, LONDON'S NEW TUBE EXTENSION WINS TOP BRIT AWARD

 

Locals enjoy riding the new Elizabeth Line in London

A New Standard in Urban Transport Design 

The Elizabeth Line, London's ambitious cross-city rail project, has been awarded the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize, one of the most prestigious architectural honors in the United Kingdom. This accolade highlights not only the engineering prowess of the project but also its refined architectural sensibility and urban integration. 

The line, which spans over 100 kilometers from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, links previously fragmented transport networks into a coherent, high-capacity system. But beyond its impressive reach and technical achievement, what distinguishes the Elizabeth Line is its exceptional design language and user experience. 


Top Marks 

Architecturally, the Elizabeth Line sets a new benchmark for infrastructure aesthetics and functionality. Stations are calm, spacious, and intuitively navigable, featuring sweeping vaulted ceilings, meticulous lighting design, and high-quality materials such as precast concrete, terrazzo flooring, and brushed stainless steel. The uniform yet distinctive station palette creates a sense of unity across the line, while allowing for individual architectural identity at key hubs like Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. 

Natural light, clear sightlines, and seamless integration with above-ground environments have made commuting not just tolerable, but elegant. The architectural collaboration — led by Grimshaw Architects, along with a host of engineering and design teams — has been praised for its human-centered approach to a deeply complex infrastructure project. 


Uber Utilitarian

As RIBA President Muyiwa Oki noted, the Elizabeth Line represents a “flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport.” It’s a rare example where public transport infrastructure becomes a form of civic pride, offering both everyday functionality and architectural dignity. It is not merely a rail link — it is a modern cathedral to movement, time, and public space. 

Impact and Legacy 

The line has already begun to reshape commuting patterns, regenerate neighborhoods, and improve accessibility with more than 700,000 passengers in its first year. It also signals a hopeful direction for future infrastructure projects, where design excellence, sustainability, and accessibility are treated as essential, not optional. 

 Architects  

Grimshaw Architects is an internationally renowned architectural firm known for its innovative and sustainable design solutions across a wide range of sectors, including transportation, cultural, commercial, and education. Founded in 1980 by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the firm has established a reputation for modernist principles combined with advanced engineering and environmental performance. With offices in London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Dubai, and Paris, Grimshaw has led iconic projects such as the Eden Project in Cornwall, Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, and the Fulton Center in New York. Their work consistently reflects a commitment to human-centered, technologically progressive architecture.

What is RIBA? 

Sir James Stirling
RIBA stands for the Royal Institute of British Architects, a professional body for architects in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1834, RIBA champions architectural excellence, ethical practice, and professional development in architecture. The RIBA Stirling Prize, named after the great British architect James Stirling (right) is awarded annually to the building that has made the greatest contribution to the evolution of architecture in the past year. 

Photo Essay