How Malick Infill Development is Helping to Build Community in National City
Andrew Malick
You can hear the excitement in Andrew Malick’s voice when he talks about his company’s latest project, 8th and B in National City, being developed in partnership with Protea Properties. The project is a collaboration between three SDAF partner firms, including Malick Infill Development, The Miller Hull Partnership, and McCullough Landscape Architecture.
The Malick Mindset
With Masters degrees in architecture and urban design, Malick the man heads up the small boutique development firm that bears his name. There, the focus is on placemaking, transit-centered communities, and enhancing walkability in San Diego neighborhoods. Malick team members bring a conscientiousness to their work, only committing to projects that can minimize environmental impact and improve quality of life.
“At Malick Infill Development, we care about what we’re doing,” Malick says. “We strive to build projects that provide value to the community, that contribute to the greater good of residents. We advocate for pedestrian-focused lifestyles that encourage interaction, whether it be at the farmer’s market or in a courtyard. Development for us is all about building community, and doing it in an ecological way.”
New Development Makes National City a Nice Addition to Open House San Diego
As the National City Neighborhood Sponsor for Open House San Diego , Malick is excited about how the 2021 showcase has changed with the times. National City is one of seven neighborhoods being featured in OH! San Diego, along with Chula Vista, Southeast San Diego, City Heights, Barrio Logan, San Marcos, and La Mesa.
“The evolution of these neighborhoods will be on full display,” Malick says, “A lot of these neighborhoods have flown under the radar. Open House is putting them in the limelight, and they absolutely deserve the attention. We are really looking forward to showing community members and visitors a behind- the-scenes look at our development and all of the great things happening in National City.”
An aerial view of Malick Infill Development’s 8th and B project
Malick’s 8th and B project is located right at the heart of downtown National City. When completed in late summer, it will improve quality of life by contributing to a more walkable neighborhood that fosters a sense of community. In that way, it perfectly encapsulates OH! San Diego’s 2021 theme, “Design + Community.”
“We’re excited to be at the forefront of the transformation in downtown National City,” says Malick, who until the 8th and B project had only developed projects in neighborhoods where he had lived. “Successful projects are a reflection of the neighborhood and the community where they exist. It extends from the colors and materials that we select, to the fonts we use in our signage, to the mix of uses in the development itself.”
Mixed-Use Property Improves Quality of Life
In National City, Malick Infill Development saw an opportunity to create a true urban project of mixed use, with the commercial spaces designed as smaller shops to attract local businesses and reflect the neighborhood’s character.
In working on the project, the developer wanted to serve as “an invited guest,” allowing the community to play a part. By showcasing local businesses in the project’s space, it will do just that. Overall, the development will feature storefronts, communal gathering spaces, and127 rental units for people of all ages and walks of life. The project offers a variety of unit types from small studios to larger row homes, designed to house a diverse population, from young singles, to families, to senior citizens.
Says Malick Infill Development Director of Planning Kathy Breedlove “The City of National City really set the stage for the transformation that is happening downtown, beginning with the 8th Street Revitalization project, which improved the street to make it more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Then the Downtown Specific Plan encouraged mixed-use development by providing a framework and design guidelines to guide new development in a way that contributes to the community.”
There is a rich history in National City and a sense of place, and there’s a lot happening there to make it a true destination. While the 8th & B development literally is rising up — you can see it from the freeway, there’s a lot more going on at the street level. When all of it is completed, downtown National City will be home to the Market on 8th , a public market with a taco shop, a brewery, and local artisans; as well as other new business such as a coffee roaster, joining long-time neighborhood favorites like Neiderfrank’s Ice Cream and Napoleone’s pizza.
“It’s so exciting to see the area take on a new energy,” Malick says. “When the work is completed, National City will have a centralized urban space where people can go to a restaurant, socialize, and kick back. Along with great outdoor spaces like Kimball Park and Paradise Creek, National City is a great place to call home. “
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