By Kris Michell | Downtown Partnership News

San Diego cannot thrive without an economically prosperous Downtown, and Downtown cannot succeed without a healthy balance of commercial and residential opportunities.

This week, Downtown breaks ground on the first multi-tenant office building in nearly a decade — Block D of the new and innovative Makers Quarter.

Makers Quarter is a game changer for Downtown. It captures the mix of uses that urban-minded millennials are looking for and will serve as a catalyst for growth in Downtown’s office sector.

As traditional innovation clusters in San Diego reach capacity, Downtown offers a unique and exciting location to expand. With its unparalleled quality of life, proximity to elite educational institutions and relative affordability compared to other top markets, Downtown is poised to attract major life sciences and technology companies. Yet this future cannot be realized without spaces like Makers Quarter.

Located in East Village between 15th and 16th streets, and E and F streets, Block D is the first step in Makers Quarter’s larger plan to bring nearly 1 million square feet in additional commercial space Downtown. Innovative spaces such as Maker’s Quarter inspire ingenuity and creativity, and are essential to building a diverse urban landscape.

For years, Downtown struggled to attract residential development. Now, there are hundreds of additional units being added annually as Downtown becomes one of the most attractive places to live in the county.

These exciting opportunities must be balanced with commercial space, and Makers Quarter is playing a lead role in creating the, “Live, Work, Play,” lifestyle that millennial talent demands and critical to a vibrant Downtown.

To attract the workforce an innovation economy relies on, communities need to provide the right type of work environment coupled with a unique urban experience. A majority of millennials prefer to live in the mixed-used communities found in urban centers, and they are currently living in these areas at a higher rate than any other generation. Of the nearly 35,000 people living Downtown, millennials are the largest demographic group, making up a third of the population.

Makers Quarter provides the diversity in urban experiences top talent desires and is an exciting opportunity for Downtown’s future.

We can’t wait to see what the future brings.

 —Kris Michell is the president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit, member-based organization that oversees the Clean & Safe program and serves as the leading advocate for the revitalization and economic health of Downtown. For questions or comments, email [email protected].