San Diego's waterfront dining scene is about to get a major upgrade as Javier’s Finest Food of Mexico gears up to open a new restaurant in the downtown area.
Building on the success of its six other locations, including a popular outpost at Westfield UTC mall in La Jolla, Javier's is set to become part of the Research and Development District (RaDD), a transformative life science and retail hub spearheaded by IQHQ. The RaDD district is part of a broader redevelopment effort aimed at making San Diego's waterfront a destination for both business and leisure.
Javier's, known for its upscale take on regional Mexican cuisine, will occupy space in the RaDD complex alongside other high-end tenants such as luxury fitness brand Equinox, a showroom for electric truck manufacturer Rivian, and The Shade Store. This new development, located on the downtown waterfront, is set to redefine the area with nearly 200,000 square feet of retail space, and Javier’s will be one of the key dining options, bringing its rich culinary heritage and world-class tequila list to downtown San Diego.
Originally founded by Javier Sosa in Laguna Beach in 1995, the restaurant has since expanded to premier locations such as Las Vegas, Los Cabos, and Newport Beach. With a focus on sustainable ingredients and an ambiance that combines elegance and comfort, Javier's has become a go-to for diners seeking elevated Mexican cuisine. The La Jolla location, housed within Westfield UTC, has already made a mark in the city, and the new downtown venue is expected to follow suit, offering a mix of familiar dishes like ceviches, taquitos, and enchiladas, as well as hand-shaken margaritas, craft cocktails and an extensive selection of tequilas and fine wines.
In September 2020, IQHQ made a significant move by acquiring the leasehold for federal land from Manchester Financial Group, paying $230 million for an 8.7-acre portion of the property. This deal included part of the waterfront site that would later become the foundation for the RaDD district. Additionally, IQHQ secured a neighboring block originally earmarked for a public park, which the firm has since committed to developing in partnership with the city of San Diego. The park will serve as a public space complementing the life science and retail complex, further enhancing the waterfront's appeal.
Occupying six city blocks, San Diego's 1.7 million-square-foot RaDD will represent the largest urban commercial waterfront site along California's Pacific coast. Designed by
Gensler, this dynamic urban life science campus will feature a mix of mid-rise buildings, a 17-story tower, ground-floor retail, restaurants, and a public paseo, all activated by roof decks and green space for the community to enjoy.
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune in June 2024, despite years of anticipation, IQHQ's RaDD complex remains largely vacant, casting doubt on its grand vision of transforming the city into a life science hub. RaDD faces the reality of a stubborn market and limited demand. Despite nearly completing the 1.7-million-square-foot development, reports indicate that the majority of the space remains unleased, and there are concerns about the project’s viability.
The project has also struggled financially, dragging down its lender, Bank OZK, as analysts warn of the uphill battle RaDD faces. According to a May 2024 report from Citi analyst Benjamin Gerlinger, none of the life science space has been leased, a red flag for a project that had been expected to reshape downtown’s economy. While there is some movement with the retail and hospitality elements, including discussions with tenants like Mason Ale Works, the core vision of a thriving life science hub appears elusive. The vacancy crisis and tepid demand for life science space have raised serious doubts about whether RaDD can attract the major pharmaceutical companies initially envisioned.
Javier's Finest Food of Mexico is expected to open as early as 2025 at 989 Pacific Highway in Downtown San Diego. For more information, visit
javiers-cantina.com.
Originally published on October 10, 2024.
