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.
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.