What’s happening at the old Fosters Freeze in SLO? Work is underway on major project
San Luis Obispo is getting more retail and housing as a major mixed-use development takes shape downtown.
San Luis Square spans several lots at the intersection of Marsh and Higuera streets, including the former location of Fosters Freeze. The fast-food restaurant closed in 2014, and the corner spot has remained undeveloped since.
The new project will bring 52 residential units to downtown San Luis Obispo, as well as roughly 9,500 square feet of retail.
“The project as a whole has elements of other developments in SLO, but we believe the package as a whole makes it unique,” G3 Concepts President Taylor Judkins told The Tribune.
Development company G3 Concepts is responsible for the acquisition, design and entitlement for San Luis Square, according to its website. JW Design and Construction of San Luis Obispo is the local contractor.
According to Judkins, retail spaces will be on the ground floor of the three four-story buildings included in the project while a mix of housing units — ranging from 450-square-foot studios to 1,500-square-foot penthouses — will take over the upper levels.
Mechanical parking will be available on the ground floor alongside the retail units.
A walkway will run from Marsh Street to Higuera Street to connect the various parts of the project.
“We have something for everybody,” Judkins said. “We’ll be adding to the shopping and dining scenes of downtown San Luis Obispo, and will be providing a range of housing options for a range of budgets.”
The current construction work happening is for the building taking shape at 581 Higuera St., Judkins said.
Crews are currently “working on all of the concrete and steel infrastructure that will serve as the structural foundation for the building,” as well as site grading and setting up underground utilities, he said.
The first building is expected to be complete in the summer of 2025, with future work ongoing on the entire project.
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 8:00 AM.
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