Pier 32 Marina on San Diego Bay
- Project Address: 4980 N Harbor Dr # 200, San Diego, CA 92106-2370
- Project Owner/ Developer: Gb Capitol Holdings
- Owner Contact Name/ Email: John Grimstad, tracygirl123@adelphia.net
- Project Architect/ Designer: The Miller Hull Partnership
Located on San Diego Bay at the mouth of the Sweetwater Channel in National City, Pier 32 Marina is located six miles south of downtown San Diego. This project has become an informal community center for National City, and is adjacent to a park. National City was once a working wharf in the 1800's where ships would off load lumber, grain, honey, salt and many other items. The project scope included the design of two main buildings linked with pedestrian bridges and a stair tower. These two buildings house marina support spaces including locker rooms and showers, an exercise room, dry/heated storage, laundry facility, boater's lounge, community conference room, large outdoor terrace, a pool, grocery/deli tenant space, and open office spaces for the marina management and other tenants. Also included is a residential unit for rental, or to be used by the marina management. Lastly, there is even a putting green, and a large multi-use outdoor viewing platform. The design incorporates an authentic post-and-beam structural system with exposed columns and beams, wood decking at ceilings, and bolted plate connections. The building's linear form is an extrusion of shed roofs with a raised clerestory roof monitor running through. Exterior materials include durable cement-board siding at the lower story base and ship-lap cedar siding at the upper story. Sloped roofs utilize standing-seam metal roofing panels. Interior spaces open up to the promenade and upper terrace with expansive operable overhead doors.
Project Awarded
Situated at the mouth of the Sweetwater Channel in National City, Pier 32 Marina is only six miles south of downtown San Diego, yet feels like an oasis amid a sea of container ships and industrial warehouses that dot the South Bay. This bold, contemporary, yet warm maritime project embraces the new, but hints at the old in what one jury member called, “dynamic design, engaging angles and incredible sightlines.” Another juror said, “the project’s massing is creative and delicate, yet it really feels anchored and purposeful.” Both the inside and outside are enticing, and the structure serves as a bridge to the bike path and the harbor, appealing to outsiders in a comfortable and approachable way, yet still maintaining a level of sophistication. The jury felt that this project hits all the right tones: use of materials, details, finishes and fenestration; this is clearly a 'maritime' pier; timeless, and stunning.” Pier 32 Marina succeeds as a pristine, playful and functional structure in an area of San Diego's bay frontage that truly benefits from its’ presence.