Liberty Station will have a new look, feel and marketing to go along with lots of recent developments – and others in the pipeline.
The NTC Foundation has announced that NTC at Liberty Station will now be called Arts District Liberty Station, with a new logo and branding.
“This name change reaffirms our commitment to establish the vibrancy and value of the arts to the entire Liberty Station neighborhood and San Diego,” said foundation Executive Director Alan Ziter.
“When the first two newly renovated historic Navy buildings opened in 2006, there was not much here for consumers to experience,” noted Ziter, adding the NTC at Liberty Station name was developed in recognition of community awareness for the venue’s history as a former naval training center.
“Now, Liberty Station has grown up around us into a landmark new neighborhood, with the arts front and center,” Ziter said. He added, “The growth at the former naval base’s burgeoning hub for arts and culture, and all that is happening in Liberty Station, made it increasingly confusing to use the terms NTC and Liberty Station. This marketing collaboration now presents one recognizable identity, one website, one Liberty Station to the community.”
New branding includes a new website at libertystation.com/artsdistrict, a new logo and new social media platforms.
The new Arts District logo has a fresh, contemporary look while still respecting the district’s storied Navy history.
“By putting the arts front and center in our destination’s name, we can further raise the visibility of Arts District Liberty Station and encourage attendance by visitors and residents alike,” added Ziter. “The new brand and website clearly articulate our role as the jewel of Liberty Station and a premiere arts destination for San Diego.”
Following are some recent developments at the former NTC and others in the works:
• Liberty Public Market (now open)
San Diego’s premiere artisan market housing 30-plus locally focused, specialty purveyors within a 22,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building.
• Fireside by The Patio (now open) Transforms Liberty Station’s original firehouse at NTC into a neighborhood-centric gathering place with indoor/outdoor seating, fire pits, wood-fired grills and family-style fresh fare.
• Buona Forchetta (May/June)
One of San Diego’s most beloved authentic Italian pizzerias is on the way.
• Moniker General (May)
Modular retail store, furniture gallery, beer taproom and coffee bar showcasing a locally curated selection of high-quality products and handmade goods.
• The LOT (May)
A dining, drinking and cinematic experience unlike any other, featuring a multi-auditorium, luxury cinema; dedicated restaurant; well-appointed bar and a café — a complete lifestyle experience under one roof.
• Breakfast Republic (June)
Will be Liberty Station’s top spot to enjoy the most important meal of the day with plenty of pancakes and egg-based creations.
• Dirty Birds (summer)
Caters to the gourmand sports fan, offering an impressive selection of chicken wings served with more than 30 varieties of housemade sauces plus an extensive lineup of craft beer on tap.
• NEKTER (Summer) As part of a broader effort to enhance The Quarter district, Nekter’s new Liberty Station location will bring the rapidly expanding juice bar brand into central San Diego. Known for their approachable menu, the 1,500-square-foot space will serve a variety of customizable juice cleanses and cold-pressed grab ‘n’ go bottled drinks. Nekter will serve a selection of made-to-order juice blends and acai bowls. The upcoming events include:
• Liberty Station Summer Block Party, Saturday, June 11, 6 to 9 p.m.
The neighborhood event will showcase the unique and independent businesses (restaurants, retail shops, galleries and more) within Liberty Station’s Arts District (Roosevelt Road to Lytton Street). The block party is open and free to the public; residents and visitors are invited to come walk the neighborhood while popping in to local businesses to taste, sip, shop and experience what the Arts District has to offer. There will also be live music and entertainment stationed in the various outdoor public spaces located along Sims and Historic Decatur. • Outdoor Living Rooms To better activate the public spaces surrounding these newly opening hospitality projects, Liberty Station has debuted several unique “outdoor living rooms.” With two completed and two more slated for construction, these spaces were conceptualized around the needs and desires of the neighborhood, aiming to engage the community as active participants. In total, these outdoor living rooms will transform 30,000 square feet of existing space into environments that provide visitors with interactive art elements, backyard games, fire pits, additional trees and shade structures, a children’s play area, movable furniture and communal seating.
The NTC Foundation was established in 2000 by the City of San Diego as a nonprofit foundation to enrich the lives of San Diegans by renovating 26 historic buildings at the former Naval Training Center to create, facilitate and operate a broad-based complex focused on experiencing the arts, culture and creativity that are the hallmark of the San Diego region. The NTC Foundation has oversight over 26 buildings in the Arts District. For more, see ntcfoundation.org.
With 28 parklike acres, the Arts District is home to nearly 120 museums and galleries, artist studios, dance companies, educational groups, multidisciplinary arts, fine dining, creative retail and other organizations that showcase San Diego’s creative community and provide innovative experiences for the public. The campus also features venues for indoor or outdoor events, festivals, seminars, retreats and meetings. For more, see libertystation.com/artsdistrict.