• What projects are you currently working on?

At IQHQ, our mission is to deliver a completely new and innovative approach to life science developments to meet the meteoric demand for laboratory space that will only continue to expand in the years ahead. With numerous projects underway in San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, and the United Kingdom, we are dedicated to creating vibrant districts that embody a convergence of lifestyle and life science – featuring Class A lab and office space along with amenities, retail, open space, and access to public transportation in desirable urban locations.

Our Research and Development District (RaDD) in San Diego is a poster child for our innovative district approach, which will transform the downtown waterfront while further energizing the region’s economy. Situated on more than ten acres and occupying six blocks, the $1.6 billion project represents the largest urban commercial waterfront site along California’s Pacific coast. In addition to 1.7 million square feet of office, lab, and retail space, RaDD will feature 1.7 acres of green, open space that will be accessible to the public.

Combined with RaDD’s premier waterfront location, access to nearby talent, and proximity to multiple modes of transportation, we are building a district that will give employers access to the most connected and diverse labor pool in the market. In addition to attracting top companies and workers, we also are ensuring that RaDD aligns with IQHQ’s ESG commitments by pursuing LEED v4 for BD+C Core + Shell Gold Certification and Fitwel Commercial Site Certification. In addition, we will employ a mix of sustainable building strategies at RaDD including the use of electrochromic glass to reduce glare and solar heat gain, renewable energy, EV charging stations, and reduced water consumption through low-flow and hybrid waterless plumbing fixtures, cooling tower water reuse, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

• How is your organization connected to the San Diego region? 

Founded and based in San Diego, IQHQ is proud to call San Diego home. San Diego is a great place to live, work and play, and it is poised to be the next iconic life science market in the United States. Our leadership team and the majority of our employees live in the area and we are deeply involved with community organizations and local non-profits, enjoying everything that San Diego has to offer.

IQHQ is committed to creating truly transformational districts that draw local talent and benefit the community, and we are doubling down on that approach for RaDD. In addition to meeting San Diego’s meteoric demand for laboratory space, we are committed to transforming the publicly inaccessible blocks along the waterfront into a premier community destination featuring vibrant amenities, retail, and exciting and appealing open space.

Finally, in addition to RaDD’s 1.7 million square feet of life sciences uses, creative office space, and visitor-serving retail options, IQHQ has worked closely with the City of San Diego’s Department of Parks and Rec, Urban Division, and the City Attorney’s Office to develop the 1.7-acre Medley Park. Located at the corner of North Harbor Drive and Broadway – colloquially known as San Diego’s “Front Door” – Medley Park will offer extensive public programming including concerts, exercise classes, and community events which will be a world-class amenity for RaDD tenants, visitors, and the community-at-large to enjoy for generations to come.

• Why are you excited to sponsor the San Diego Green Building Council? 

The IQHQ team is developing RaDD as a sustainable and resilient district where partners, employees, and communities thrive in a healthy, equitable, and innovative environment. Building on this approach and our ESG commitments, we are excited to sponsor the SDGBC.  We wanted to show our support and join other building industry professionals and sustainability advocates working to promote best practices across the San Diego region.  Our mission and values are very much aligned with SDGBC and we aim to deploy sustainable building strategies at RaDD and all our developments that inspire others.