Current Projects

The proposed project would consist of a strategic realignment and widening of Health Sciences Drive, Medical Center Drive, and surrounding areas in order to improve access, safety and wayfinding on the East Campus. The project would implement a critical circulation enhancement, as identified in the 2018 Long Range Development Plan and associated East Campus Planning Study.

The proposed road realignments would simplify patient and visitor wayfinding by strengthening a singular, flowing path towards the hospital and clinical services, while also reducing decision points. In addition, a new, more direct road connection south of Health Sciences Drive would allow service vehicles to turn and continue directly towards the central utility plant, hospital service areas, and clinical loading docks to Medical Center Drive South.

The proposed project would convert the existing westerly end of Health Sciences Drive into a pedestrian and micro mobility-friendly corridor, and new “smart” traffic signals at all major intersections within the project would be installed, along with a roundabout at the connection to Medical Center Drive South.

Project Details

• Project Manager: Roland Bartsch, (858) 281-9446
• Phase: Construction
• Executive Design Professional: Dokken Engineering
• Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
• Anticipated Completion: Summer 2026
• Location: East Campus

The proposed Hillcrest Campus Phase 2 Utility Undergrounding Project would underground the existing overhead electrical and telecommunications facilities throughout the Hillcrest Campus gateway, specifically along Arbor Drive between Front Street and First Avenue and First Avenue between Arbor Drive and Montecito Way. The Hillcrest Campus 2019 LRDP identified an overhaul of the campus utility and infrastructure systems, including undergrounding current utilities, to upgrade the existing utilities systems, improve infrastructure reliability and promote a more resilient campus overall. 

Project Details

• Program Manager: Rod Barker, (858) 956-4230
• Executive Design Professional: Arcadis
• Contractor: DPR Construction
• Anticipated Completion: Fall 2027
• Location: Hillcrest Campus

Project rendering of the outpatient pavilion on the Hillcrest campus Credit: Arcadis

An ambitious program to rebuild the UC San Diego Hillcrest campus will provide new facilities, new technology, increased capacity, expanded care offerings, workforce housing and other community services and amenities. Over the next 15 years, construction on the $2.5-$3 billion project will continue in five major phases, during which the majority of the existing buildings will be replaced. This work will help ensure the university’s mission to drive innovation and deliver world-class medical care, research and education for many decades to come.

The first phase of the redevelopment of the Hillcrest campus includes the construction of an outpatient pavilion (approximately 250,000 gross square feet) providing new space for a broad range of diagnostic and treatment services in a number of specialty areas, and address existing demands for outpatient services. This phase also includes a new parking structure to provide approximately 1,850 parking spaces for faculty, staff, patients and visitors, a central utility plant and related road and utility infrastructure improvements. The 2019 Hillcrest Long Range Development Plan guides redevelopment of the Hillcrest campus and includes the construction of a new, replacement hospital.

• Hillcrest Information Session – August 2021
• Frequently Asked Questions – February 2022

Press

UC San Diego Breaks Ground on a Multi-Phase, Multi-Billion-Dollar Redevelopment of Hillcrest Medical Campus

Project Details

• Program Manager: Rod Barker, (858) 956-4230
• Phase: Phase one of five
• Executive Design Professional: Arcadis
• Contractor: DPR Construction
• Anticipated Completion:
  • Phase One: Summer 2025
  • Bachman Place Improvements: Mid 2025
• Location: Hillcrest Campus
• LEED Certification Goal: Silver

Project rendering

Thornton Pavilion, completed in 1993, is a four-story inpatient hospital located in La Jolla. The project will include an addition of approximately 3,100 square feet to the existing radiology suite in Thornton Pavilion, as well as an interior remodel of approximately 700 square feet, to accommodate two new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) treatment rooms and related support space. The project is driven by increased patient volume and technology advances requiring an expansion of the existing MRI space.

In addition to the two new MRI units with required support spaces, the project scope also includes the addition of one MRI equipment room; a shared control room; an outpatient holding with two dressing rooms, an inpatient holding for approximately three patients, a teamwork station, a patient toilet; and a soiled hold room. The scope includes electrical, mechanical, and geotechnical upgrades required to support the expansion space. The project is designed to maintain existing MRI operations during construction.

Project Details

• Program Manager: Cheryl Fedorchak
• Project Manager of Design and Pre-Construction: Mark Minieri
• Project Manager of Construction: Robert Aguilar
• Executive Design Professional: Arcadis
• Contractor: Align
• Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027
• Location: Thornton Pavilion

Pepper Canyon East District proposes to develop on a 20-acre site on the west campus adjacent to the Light Rail Transit station. The District would be built in multiple phases and would include new student beds to expand access to the benefits of below market on-campus housing. Pepper Canyon East District will remove the existing housing and build approximately 6,000 beds, a hotel, food and beverage, recreation, and amenity spaces.

Project Details

• Project Managers:
  • Joseph Chisholm, (858) 361-5294
  • Robert Northrop, (858) 242-9488
• Phase: Pre-Design
• Design Professionals: Steinberg Hart + Studio Gang + Henning Larsen + BIG + HED
• Contractor: Clark Construction
• Anticipated Completion: District Phase 1 Fall 2030
• Location: Pepper Canyon
• LEED Certification Goal: Gold

Project rendering

The Pines and Roots Dining Facility Renovation Project is located in the center of west campus within the Muir College community. Originally constructed in 1970, the Stewart Commons building is a split-level, two-story facility that houses Roots on a portion of the first floor and Pines across the entire second floor.

This project will renovate approximately 18,000 gross square feet of the existing Pines and Roots dining facilities to modernize an outdated cafeteria-style environment. The renovation aims to enhance the dining experience by optimizing space for improved functionality and efficiency while increasing seating capacity through more efficient furniture and layout strategies.

Campus dining demand has risen since the opening of North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood and has further increased following the recent completion of Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood. The project will elevate the overall student experience through expanded indoor and outdoor seating, increased access to natural light, the introduction of new culinary concepts and the addition of a new coffee bar.

Project Details

The project includes the expansion and renovation of RIMAC. The expansion of Levels 3 and 4 will add new program space, including reception, fitness areas, top rope climbing and bouldering, a multipurpose studio, training lab, rejuvenation spaces and associated support spaces, such as a break room, storage, IT and electrical rooms.

The project also improves building entry and internal circulation while enhancing the overall recreation experience. Exterior improvements include the development of outdoor fitness areas and site work that transforms underutilized spaces into purposeful fitness and social areas, including a new micromobility area. The expansion is intended to increase recreation capacity and support the campus’s growing student enrollment.

Project Details

• Project Manager: Erin Chapman
• Phase: Construction
• Executive Design Professional: LPA Design Studios
• Contractor: PCL Construction
• Anticipated Completion: Winter 2027
• Location: RIMAC
• LEED Certification Goal: Gold

Project rendering

UC San Diego recently purchased 1100 Kettner Blvd,, the former Museum of Contemporary Art building in downtown San Diego. The property consists of the historical Jacobs building (~1915) and the modern Copley building (2006). The historical Jacobs building was originally constructed as part of the original Sante Fe Train Depot.

The project aims to create a welcoming community destination promoting neighborhood cultural exchange, including a new café and bar that encourages gathering with activation in the lobby space. The project will include a comprehensive code-required seismic retrofit and interior renovations in the Jacobs portion of the building, including repairs needed to address accessibility and code-required upgrades. Additional interior renovations will create a multidisciplinary arts space that offers flexibility to serve a variety of arts and performances. The resultant project aims to enhance partnerships within the San Diego community by creating a gateway between UC San Dieog and other organizations, providing the resources and facilities for non-profits to grow audiences and build a sustainable business model.

Project Details

• Project Manager: Bethany French
• Phase: Schematic Design
• Executive Design Professional: Ennead Architects
• Contractor: Shawmut Construction
• Anticipated Completion: Spring 2028
• Location: 1100 Kettner Blvd., San Diego
• LEED Certification Goal: ID B+C

The Triton Center project would demolish a collection of 1940s-era, one-story buildings located in University Center, to provide expanded and centralized space for specialized instructional support, student health, mental health and well-being services, and other student academic services and resources to meet the needs of a rapidly growing and diverse student population. Triton Center would also include an alumni and welcome center, multi-purpose space for various campus programs, public realm improvements and parking structure. A new vibrant urban core for central campus, Triton Center will create a socially-dynamic and welcoming destination that will showcase the unique accomplishments, heritage, art and culture of UC San Diego, and implement a key component of the campus’ 2018 Long Range Development Plan.

• Frequently Asked Questions – September 2023 (PDF)
• Pedestrian path map

Project Details

• Interim Program Manager: Brad Phipps, (858) 228-6741
• Phase: Construction
• Executive Design Professional: LMN
• Contractor: McCarthy
• Anticipated Completion: Summer 2026
• Location: University Center
• LEED Certification Goal: Gold

Construction Camera

A UC San Diego Real Estate Department Project