Cortez Hill 2023 Condo Market Report

The Cortez Hill condo market remained an attractive option for Downtown San Diego buyers in 2023, offering a quieter residential setting while still being within walking distance of the city’s major employment centers, restaurants, entertainment, and waterfront attractions.

Cortez Hill features a mix of newer condominium towers, historic buildings, loft-style residences, and smaller communities. Sales during 2023 included homes at Aloft, Aria, Cortez Blu, Discovery, El Cortez, Solara Lofts, Symphony Terrace, The Mills, Park View, and several other residential buildings.

During 2023, 51 Cortez Hill condos closed, representing approximately $34.13 million in total sales volume. The average selling price was approximately $669,175, while the median sale price was $630,000.

On a price-per-square-foot basis, condos sold for an average of approximately $683 per square foot, with a median of $676 per square foot.

2023 Cortez Hill Condo Market Statistics

Cortez Hill offered buyers a relatively broad selection of homes during 2023, from smaller studio residences to larger luxury condos with expansive views.

Key 2023 key market figures:

• Total condo sales: 51
• Total sales volume: $34,127,900
• Average selling price: $669,175
• Median selling price: $630,000
• Average price per square foot: $683
• Median price per square foot: $676
• Lowest selling price: $315,000
• Highest selling price: $1,695,000
• Price-per-square-foot range: $515–$1,050

The relatively small difference between the average and median price per square foot suggests that most Cortez Hill sales remained within a fairly consistent value range, despite a few higher-end transactions in buildings such as Discovery and Aria.

Aloft Offered Strong Value for Smaller Residences

Aloft remained one of the more active buildings in the Cortez Hill condo market during 2023.

Most of its one-bedroom residences sold between approximately $469,000 and $625,000, while price-per-square-foot values generally ranged from the low-$700s to more than $800.

Unit #209 sold for $475,000, or approximately $826 per square foot, while unit #216 closed at the same $475,000 selling price at approximately $784 per square foot.

A larger two-bedroom residence, unit #402, sold for $670,000, illustrating the range of options available within the building.

Aria Showed a Significant Premium for Higher Floors

Aria demonstrated how dramatically floor level and views can influence values within the same building.

Several lower and mid-level residences sold between approximately $649,000 and $855,000. Unit #1602, for example, closed for $820,000, or approximately $655 per square foot.

At the upper end, Aria #2202 sold for $1.259 million, or approximately $918 per square foot.

That premium highlights the importance of elevation and views when evaluating Cortez Hill condos for sale, particularly in high-rise buildings where upper floors can offer sweeping city, bay, and Balboa Park outlooks.

Discovery Led the Upper End of the Market

Discovery accounted for some of the strongest condo sales in Cortez Hill during 2023.

Most one- and two-bedroom residences sold between approximately $485,000 and $844,000, while larger and higher-floor homes commanded considerably higher prices.

Discovery #2104 sold for $1.2 million, while unit #1804 closed for $1.695 million.

At approximately $1,050 per square foot, #1804 recorded both the highest selling price and highest price per square foot among the 2023 Cortez Hill condo sales.

The sale illustrates the premium buyers can place on larger residences, higher elevations, views, and more desirable floor plans within the neighborhood.

El Cortez Remained a Distinctive Downtown Option

Historic El Cortez continued to provide an alternative to the more modern condominium towers found elsewhere in Cortez Hill.

One-bedroom residences sold from approximately $379,000 to just over $500,000, while several two-bedroom homes traded between approximately $600,000 and $789,000.

Price-per-square-foot values were generally lower than those seen at buildings such as Aloft or premium Discovery residences, with many El Cortez sales falling around the $550 to $700 per square foot range.

The building’s larger floor plans, historic architecture, and unique character make direct comparisons with newer high-rise communities less straightforward.

Solara Lofts, Symphony Terrace and The Mills

Smaller Cortez Hill communities also contributed meaningfully to the 2023 market.

At Solara Lofts, one-bedroom residences sold from approximately $510,000 to $629,000, with values generally ranging from roughly $616 to $702 per square foot.

Symphony Terrace offered several comparatively affordable options, including one-bedroom residences around $425,000 to $475,000 and a two-bedroom sale at $632,500.

The Mills provided one of the neighborhood’s lowest entry points. Two studio residences sold for $315,000 and $350,000, while larger two-bedroom homes reached as high as $775,000.

These sales demonstrate the variety of housing available within Cortez Hill and help explain why the neighborhood attracts buyers across a relatively broad range of budgets.

What the 2023 Cortez Hill Condo Sales Tell Us

Overall, 2023 was a solid year for the Cortez Hill condo market in Downtown San Diego, with 51 closed sales totaling approximately $34.1 million.

The median selling price of $630,000 and median value of $676 per square foot provide useful benchmarks for understanding the neighborhood during the year. At the same time, the range from $515 to $1,050 per square foot shows how much individual property characteristics can influence value.

Cortez Hill is particularly difficult to value using a single neighborhood-wide number because its residential inventory includes everything from studios and historic properties to modern high-rise residences with premium views.

For buyers and sellers evaluating Cortez Hill condos for sale in San Diego, building, floor level, views, residence size, floor plan, condition, renovations, parking, and overall location within the neighborhood can all materially affect market value.

The most useful comparison is typically with recent sales in the same building and, whenever possible, residences with similar floor plans, elevations, and view orientations.

cortez Hill 2023 Sold CONDOS