The Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the Cal Poly Mustang Shop Downtown will soon have a new home. Improvements on a new downtown San Luis Obispo location are underway, with the goal of creating an enhanced spaces for the two key university programs, and a more visible presence for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
Located on the corner of Marsh and Chorro streets, in the former Copeland Sports building, this new project will help revitalize the long vacant corner location. The CIE currently operates a downtown location – The HotHouse on Higuera Street, focused on developing innovators and entrepreneurs and furthering regional economic development.
The renovated downtown location will offer expanded coworking capabilities, with options such as hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices and meeting rooms. A new event space will host networking events and meet-ups, and expanded space will be available for startups to pilot test new innovative products with local customers through retail popups, and other on-location customer development opportunities. With a more visible location, new programming will be offered with the goal of further connecting Cal Poly, students and the business community.
Also housed in the new location will be an expanded Cal Poly Mustang Shop Downtown. The Mustang Shop carries official Cal Poly–branded apparel, Cal Poly wines as well as Cal Poly specialty food items and assorted gifts for all ages.
Customers at the Mustang Shop will have visibility to the adjacent CIE space, providing an opportunity to fully connect the public to the mission and impact of the CIE.
Cal Poly Partners continues to support the university’s regional economic development work, by backing collaborative efforts among the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, REACH, and numerous companies committed to advancing economic prosperity.
This move marks a significant investment by Cal Poly Partners in the local community and a major effort to promote economic development in San Luis Obispo.
Following tenant improvements, the building is scheduled to open Winter 2026.
Learn more about 1144 Chorro on the Cal Poly Partners website