The two La Jolla entities are exchanging the property to increase the university’s cultural presence downtown. 

The San Diego City Council approved the transfer of property ownership for 1100 Kettner Blvd in Downtown San Diego from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego to UC San Diego.

The Nov 19 City Council decision is a “key milestone in a collaboration that envisions a major cultural center” in downtown, according to UCSD. 

The Kettner Boulevard location was the second for MCASD after its flagship spot on Prospect Street in La Jolla; MCASD David C Copley Director and chief executive Kathryn Kanjo announced the closure of the downtown space in March.

UCSD has been in talks with MCASD to purchase the property since April, planning to upgrade the Santa Fe Depot stop of the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley to make the space fully adaptable for a wide array of programming, the university said.

With this approval from the city, UCSD anticipates closing escrow before the end of the year.

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