Apartments at The Plaza
07.03.2026 // Irvine Company bets big on UTC
Sam Borinsky, Contributing Writer
Mitchell L., Projects Editor
Image from Irvine Company.
Currently occupied by a mixture of low rise office buildings and parking, the parcels just east of Executive Drive Trolley station are finally slated for redevelopment. Situated on the western portion of the Irvine Company’s The Plaza campus in University City, this transit oriented development will deliver 552 residential units spread across 2 apartment buildings - 286 in the north building, and 266 in the south building. Units will range in size from studios to three bedrooms, and amenities will include a fitness center and an expansive park.
This plan comes in the aftermath of the Irvine Company’s near complete withdrawal from the Downtown San Diego market, and signals a larger focus by the company on the UTC area. Alongside the office towers and park space within The Plaza as it currently exists, Irvine Company already owns significant residential and office holdings in the surrounding area. This project will add to that portfolio.
Image from Irvine Company.
The University City area recently rezoned as part of the University Community Plan Update, allowing this parcel to be developed at 218 du/ac; however, given publicized plans, this project will not fully maximize this newly allowed density. The Irvine Company’s residential development focus typically centers around mid-rise residential buildings, and although specifics about this project are currently lacking, the publicized building layout seems to align with this. So while it appears this project won’t join the high-rise boom happening around it, it is a welcome project in such close proximity to fast and frequent transit.
Photo by BuildSD, 06/29/26.
As of July 2026, observed demolition of the two existing buildings on the property is ongoing. The contractor advertised on the construction fence is W-E O'Neil. Permit project numbers for the site include preliminary reviews PRJ-1118386 for multifamily, PRJ-1132716 for planning, PRJ-1146526 for the north building, and PRJ-1145096 for the south building.
Photo by BuildSD, 06/29/26.
SOURCES:
https://www.lajollautcconnection.com/
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/university-community-plan-2024.pdf#page=17