GlobeSt.com: What will this project deliver to the Downtown market that is unique?

Malmuth: Very much in the spirit of I.D.E.A. District, we've created a social space in IDEA1 called the Hub. We created a space in the center of the project for the larger I.D.E.A. District community to gather. Our hope is it will become very actively utilized: perhaps yoga in morning, a tech talk in midday, a meetup and an art show at night. We don't know exactly how it will happen, but we're appealing to this community of creative people, who will step up with all kinds of creative ideas for ways to use that space. It will be a great stage for the community to show its creativity, and it fits with the ethos of I.D.E.A. District and IDEA1. These people have new ideas they want to express—business and creative ideas. It supports those kinds of ambitions, allowing people to be in setting where we're encouraging people to collide.

The ground floor is 25 live/work spaces, seven that face the Hub, and we hope they will be populated by people who believe the East Village is an opportunity to create the next big thing in San Diego—the next big brewery or fashion concept, etc. We don't know, but if you put out that kind of energy, people will embrace it.

GlobeSt.com: What are the complications in developing mixed-use projects in Downtown San Diego?

Malmuth: Mixed-use any place is difficult to finance. Typically, lenders and equity partners want something that's just office, residential or retail. Fortunately, our partners Lowe and LaSalle recognized that this is a project that fits with this community and combining retail with residential is the right project for I.D.E.A. District. It helps develop the idea we've have for the last five years, and it grows technology and ideas. We're lucky we have partners that share in our vision for a thriving new neighborhood. In our case, we were able to achieve this and partner with people who understood. Downtown needs to create projects specific to the kind of community that we're trying to nurture—that's not always the case, and it's not easy to finance these projects.

GlobeSt.com: What are the advantages to this type of development for the stakeholders?

Malmuth: We've always wanted to create a project emblematic of I.D.E.A. District that will become a catalyst to new creative enterprises. We have seen Silo and SMARTS Farm in Makers Quarter, which led the way, and Urban Discovery Academy, which changed DNA of neighborhood to have all these kids around. The courtyard has become the heart of the community. In that spirit, we want to take it to the next level, and we're trying to push a little bit for more commercial uses, restaurants and residential that's tied to the community. If can do it in a way that respects the principals we have for I.D.E.A. District, others will want to step in and do projects consistent with our long-term vision.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this project?

Malmuth: The model of the way I.D.E.A. District and Makers Quarter have evolved is extraordinary. The collaborative model is different from anything I've done in 25 years in real estate. We laid out a framework five years ago and tried to do something aspirational. It's gratifying how many entrepreneurs and community people have embraced it and have created some extraordinary projects and places. We're glad we could make our contribution with IDEA1, and we look forward to other projects. East Village Green, a proposed 4.1-acre, multi-block park in the East Village, will be a huge plus, and that starts construction in December. The pieces are in place to create an extraordinary neighborhood.

SAN DIEGO—IDEA1, the first new mixed-use building in the East Village's 35-block I.D.E.A. District, stays true to its stakeholders' vision of a neighborhood of, by and for innovative, creative and entrepreneurial individuals, I.D.E.A. Partners LLC partner David Malmuth tells GlobeSt.com. Devlopers Lowe Enterprises, LaSalle Investment Management and I.D.E.A. Partners recently selected CBRE Group, Inc. to provide leasing services for the ground-floor retail space of IDEA1, which is currently under construction.

CBRE's retail experts Reg Kobzi and Michael Peterson are marketing the 5,000-square-foot retail component. VP Kobzi says, “There is nothing like this in the market. “We are seeking retailers with unique concepts that complement the innovative and creative environment that is bringing new vitality to the East Village.”

IDEA1 occupies a full city block, situated on E, F, Park and 13th streets. The developers of the $91-million project started construction in November 2015, and the mid-rise, six-story complex will feature 13,000 square feet of commercial space with 295 apartments, 25 ground-floor live/work lofts and eight luxury penthouse units. Designed by Miller Hull Architects, the project aims to integrate into the existing neighborhood while enhancing the community character with its approachability, creativity and transparent and colorful design elements. It also aims to create a more inviting pedestrian experience in the area, provide new restaurants and retail and communal spaces that will benefit IDEA1 residents and its neighbors.

We spoke exclusively with Malmuth about IDEA1, what it brings to the Downtown submarket and what stakeholders get out of it.

GlobeSt.com: What will this project deliver to the Downtown market that is unique?

Malmuth: Very much in the spirit of I.D.E.A. District, we've created a social space in IDEA1 called the Hub. We created a space in the center of the project for the larger I.D.E.A. District community to gather. Our hope is it will become very actively utilized: perhaps yoga in morning, a tech talk in midday, a meetup and an art show at night. We don't know exactly how it will happen, but we're appealing to this community of creative people, who will step up with all kinds of creative ideas for ways to use that space. It will be a great stage for the community to show its creativity, and it fits with the ethos of I.D.E.A. District and IDEA1. These people have new ideas they want to express—business and creative ideas. It supports those kinds of ambitions, allowing people to be in setting where we're encouraging people to collide.

The ground floor is 25 live/work spaces, seven that face the Hub, and we hope they will be populated by people who believe the East Village is an opportunity to create the next big thing in San Diego—the next big brewery or fashion concept, etc. We don't know, but if you put out that kind of energy, people will embrace it.