Parking lots to become apartments in Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach's Biggest Apartment Complex Is About to Get Even Bigger

Pacific Beach is no stranger to development drama, but here is one project that actually has neighbors nodding along. AVA Pacific Beach, already the largest apartment complex in PB, just got the green light from the San Diego City Council to add 138 more units to its Ingraham Street address — and this time, nearly everyone seems on board.

AvalonBay Communities, the Irvine-based company that has owned the sprawling 12.96-acre property since 1997, plans to convert underused parking lots and amenity spaces into 138 new apartments, pushing the total unit count from 564 to 702. The council voted unanimously to approve the expansion.

The project includes two new parking structures, outdoor courtyards, a bike repair station, seven affordable units, and a landscaped linear park running along Jewell Street. For anyone who has ever tried to enjoy a walk on that stretch, a pedestrian-friendly green corridor sounds like a serious upgrade.

District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava called it a practical win, noting that the project simply converts surface parking lots into housing. A planning consultant confirmed those lots were only running about 74% full anyway. Perhaps most importantly for surrounding residents, the new parking garage gets built first, so spillover parking on nearby streets should be a non-issue.

The complex dates back to 1969, originally opening as Oakwood Garden Apartments — back when PB still marketed luxury garden living. AvalonBay scooped it up for $43.8 million nearly three decades ago.

The project still needs California Coastal Commission approval before construction can begin, so PB residents will have at least one more chapter of waiting before the bulldozers arrive.

Sources: Times of San Diego | AvalonBay Communities | City of San Diego CEQA