Kensington Commons Nears Completion
Kensington Commons, the mixed-use complex under construction at Marlborough and Adams in Kensington, is nearing completion. The project includes 34 apartments and about 10,000 square feet of retail space along a stretch of Adams Avenue previously occupied by an old gas station and a empty lot cleared to make way for the complex six years ago.
With a timeline like that, it’s obvious that it hasn’t exactly been a cake walk for the folks behind Kensington Commons. Since 2007, the project has been met with opposition from a group of residents who disagree with the design. They’ve argued that its size will disrupt the small neighborhood feel of Kensington. We’re just glad to see that vacant lot finally transformed.
Stehly Farms Market has signed a lease for a small gourmet market on the ground floor. With plans for a juice bar and deli, we expect the organic grocer to do very well.
Allard Jansen Architects is behind the design of the Santa Barbara-style building. That’s the same group who won an Orchid Award for Architecture in 2000 for their work on Kensington Park Plaza, the mixed-use complex across the street with Starbucks and Burger Lounge.
We’ve watched Normal Heights blow up over the last few years, and perhaps it’s time for the same to happen down the street in Kensington. There’s no doubt that this one of the cutest hoods in San Diego.
Rent will start at $2,350/month for each of the residential units, which range from 890 to 1,306 square feet. That may sound steep for one or two bedrooms, but that seems to be the going rate these days for this kind of complex.
Kensington Commons also brings wider sidewalks and new landscaping to this stretch of Adams Avenue. Look for it all to be completed in the fall.