A rendering of The Lawson (CEDARst Companies)

‘The Lawson’ Breaks Ground in South Park and Honors a Former San Diego Politician

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

An eight-story rental apartment building named after a former San Diego councilmember has broken ground at 2935-2961 A St. in South Park. The land plot was previously occupied by old, single-family homes.

Known as The Lawson, the 180-unit project is an ode to the late Leon Lawson Williams, a civil rights leader who served on San Diego’s City Council from 1969 to 1982. In addition, he was a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors—and advocated for equitable housing throughout his political career. He passed away in March of this year at the age of 102.

“Leon dedicated his career to advancing equitable housing and community development. When naming our projects, we often look to honor influential local figures whose legacies reflect the spirit of the neighborhoods we’re building in,” said Will Murphy, CEO and managing partner at CEDARst Companies, the Chicago-based developer that also brought The Nash to North Park.

Just over half of the residences (51 percent) at The Lawson will be priced at “affordable housing levels.” Monthly rents overall will range between $1,800 and $4,000 for units that include studios, and one and two-bedrooms. The structure will feature 149 on-site parking stalls as well as a wellness facility, a two-story gym, and a rooftop deck. Completion is slated for November of 2027.

“We’re bringing attainable housing to a centrally located neighborhood while working closely with the community to ensure the design and scale reflect the local context,” Murphy added.