Developer Bella Via Associates LLC began construction on the $9-million, mixed-use project in 2002, right as San Diego County was gaining fame as the most attractive multifamily market in the state. Two years later, the region's multifamily market is still going strong and condo product has garnered significant investment interest, especially in the city's Downtown neighborhoods.

The Bella Via project is located at 1608 India St. in the bustling Little Italy community of Downtown. Encompassing 74,000 sf, the development is comprised of 42 condo units; an underground parking garage; and 3,700 sf of street-level retail space. Cohn Restaurants will occupy nearly half of the project's retail sector, having recently acquired a 1,808-sf space here for $900,000.

General contractor Roel built the project for Bella Via Associates and Frank Woldon and Cindy Blair of architectural firm Carrier Johnson designed it. Additional services were provided by landscape architect Wimmer Yamada and Caughey, as well as numerous subcontractors.