Merrill Gardens, SDSU Plan 250-Residence Intergenerational Senior Living Community
August 4, 2026
SAN DIEGO — Merrill Gardens and San Diego State University have announced plans for a 250-residence senior living community at SDSU Mission Valley that will combine independent living, assisted living and memory care with access to university programming and intergenerational opportunities.
The planned seven-story, 295,000-square-foot community will include 224 independent and assisted living residences and 26 memory care residences. Amenities are expected to include a restaurant and bistro, community room, pool, fitness center, rooftop deck and outdoor courtyard.
According to a recent SDSU news article, the project is expected to begin construction at the end of 2027 and be completed by 2030, with first occupancy possible that year. A leasing office is anticipated to open in fall 2028. The project remains subject to approval by the California State University Board of Trustees.
The community will be part of the broader SDSU Mission Valley development near Snapdragon Stadium, with access to parks, open space, transit, recreation and other neighborhood amenities.
Merrill Gardens will manage the senior living community. PMB of Solana Beach, Calif., and Pillar Properties of Seattle are serving as co-developers, and Urbal Architecture of Seattle is handling design.
The university and Merrill Gardens also plan to create internships, employment and community engagement opportunities for students. Residents are expected to have access to campus programming and lifelong learning opportunities.
“The vision for this project is rooted in SDSU’s commitment to serve our intergenerational SDSU community,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said. “We can’t wait to see SDSU alumni and retired faculty take advantage of this unique living environment to deepen their relationship with SDSU.”
Tana Gall, president of Merrill Gardens, said the project is intended to give older adults opportunities to remain connected to an academic setting while receiving senior living services and support.
“We look forward to creating opportunities for meaningful interaction between residents, students, faculty and the broader SDSU community,” Gall said.
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