Pacific Beacon Guides Sailors Home

High-rise privatization project at Naval Base San Diego will house thousands of single enlisted sailors.

Take a drive through downtown San Diego and the development of exciting new residential projects is ubiquitous, providing stunning views of the waterfront and city lights, as well as the luxury and convenience of being in the heart of a thriving community. Just a few miles south at Naval Base San Diego, the early construction stages of four 18-story residential towers capture the attention of the general public. It is “Pacific Beacon,” the nation’s first large-scale housing privatization for single sailors, echoing the style and features of comfortable high-rise living.

Developed by Clark Realty Capital in partnership with the Department of the Navy, Pacific Beacon continues the success of the military privatization program and will drastically improve the quality of life for more than 2,000 single enlisted sailors stationed in San Diego. Currently, thousands of unaccompanied personnel live on their ships while in port. Most live in cramped quarters, some no bigger than 30 cubic feet, or share small, overcrowded, dormitory-style rooms on land. For the future residents of Pacific Beacon, life is about to become a whole lot better. Pacific Beacon will provide its residents with private living quarters within a refined and highly tailored living environment defined by safety, health, convenience, and comfort in a campus-like setting with first-rate amenities.

Addressing a Need

Pacific Beacon, and future projects in its mold, are the first step toward alleviating the Navy’s housing shortage for enlisted sailors. In the past, quality and quantity of housing options have proven to be significant factors in many sailors’ decisions not to re-enlist.

And while Pacific Beacon marks a change in the type and quality of housing that enlisted sailors will have available to them, it also represents a bold new and evolving cultural direction within the Navy, one allowing for more privacy, freedom, and recreation for its employees outside of work.

Residents of the Pacific Beacon will enjoy the same rights to privacy and quiet enjoyment that private citizens enjoy in off-base housing. This is another way of saying residents will not be subject to room inspections by their command, and that is a big deal for anyone who has ever lived in barracks.

Pacific Perks

The unprecedented housing development features the new construction of 941 dual master suite units, each featuring private bedrooms with spacious walk-in closets, private bathrooms, and private study nooks.

The suites also feature a shared common living room and kitchen featuring full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, and washer/dryers. The impressive amenity program strongly emphasizes convenience, health, recreation, and education, and every aspect of its design is tailored specifically to the needs of its resident population.

A resort-style swimming pool on the Sky Terrace and a state-of-the-art fitness center highlight the community amenities available, which also include a covered parking garage, two rooftop barbeque and lounge areas, a 43- seat theater with stadium seating, game rooms, technology resource centers, a sandwich shop and coffee bar, and on-site dry cleaning. All these amenities will help sailors feel more “at ease” when they’re at home.

Back to School

Residents will also have the luxury and convenience of being able to take college courses through the Navy College office using the building’s two dedicated classrooms and two computer centers. The educational space component of Pacific Beacon is the developer’s response to the recently implemented Navy requirement that enlisted sailors reach certain continuing education goals in order to advance their rank.

What’s more, Clark Realty Capital is establishing a permanent endowment fund for the purpose of granting scholarships to Pacific Beacon residents based on academic merit. The scholarship fund will be funded annually with money raised by Clark at its charitable fundraising events and will help student residents fill the financial gap between the cost of their education and the tuition assistance provided by the Navy. The scholarship fund will be managed by the San Diego Foundation with oversight by Clark Realty Capital.

Athletic facilities also are incorporated on the 15-acre site, including a running path, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and lawn BBQ areas. The result is a distinctive masterplanned community in which sailors will truly be “at ease” in an environment that is tailored to their lifestyle. Finally and deservedly, they will have a place they can proudly call home.