The school had decided to relocate to the new campus, where classes began this past week, because it had outgrown its former 19,000-sf facility in Sorrento Valley. Designed by architects Rod Wright and Associates and Clarence Klaus of EDMC and built by general contractor DPR, the new $40-million, build-to-suit campus is currently serving more than 800 students who are studying graphic, culinary and media arts programs. The building houses 18 classrooms and art production rooms, as well as various computer labs and kitchens.

Located at 7650 Mission Valley Rd., the Art Institute facility stands at the gateway to Mission Valley Heights, the 1-million-sf business community that H.G. Fenton is in the final stages of developing. The Art Institute has signed a 20-year-lease with the developer to occupy the new campus.