|
Named after the historic El Cortez Hotel, this district is
one of San Diego's oldest and most distinguished residential
neighborhoods. North of downtown's Core and south of I-5 between
Tenth Avenue and Union Street, the 111- acre Cortez Hill is
two neighborhoods in one. East of Sixth Avenue rises downtown's
highest land mass, the hill dominated by the El Cortez Apartments
(formerly El Cortez Hotel). West of Sixth Avenue the flatter
area is known as Cortez West. The hill has drawn residents
for over a century, and the original Victorian style dwellings
of the first settlers have now become part of its charm.
In 1992, the Redevelopment Agency envisioned reviving this
district by further developing the hill for residential use,
and encouraging a mix of residential and commercial infill.
Schools, churches and a pedestrian-friendly environment now
characterize the western portion of Cortez Hill. Commercial
shops and sidewalk cafes line Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and
Ash Street provides a gateway to the waterfront. As the highest
land mass in the Centre City Community Planning area, Cortez
Hill boasts views of urban San Diego, Balboa Park, the bay
and Pacific Ocean. The intimate neighborhood feeling, diverse
housing, proximity to the downtown core and Balboa Park, and
waterfront and mountain views make Cortez Hill a desirable
location. Upcoming developments include 6,000 square feet
of retail space, 758 residential units and the Cortez Hill
Neighborhood Park/ Tweet Street. Also underway is a plan to
reduce non-resident parking.
|
