SACRAMENTO | Project Rundown

[urban_encounter]

Sacramento:
Downtown/Midtown/Waterfront and Transit Oriented Development
Proposed, Planned, Approved or U/C....
(Updated 4/12/08)

Currently Under Construction

Office/Commercial


U.S. Bank Tower
@ 621 Capitol Mall
25 story 400' office building
366K sf commerical space
24K sf ground floor retail
Developer: David Taylor
Architect: Hellmuth, Obata, Kassabaum
Construction Status:Exterior work complete.
Interior construction ongoing.
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4882/62123aa.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=86268



Bank of The West Tower
aka: 500 Capitol Mall
25 story office building (height estimate 400')
467,942 sf office
27,124 sf retail
Developer: Tskakopoulos Investments (Privately Financed)
Architect: Ed Kado
Construction Status: Iron skeleton u/c
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/d3slided2-8511.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116260



CalSTRS Headquarters
3rd street along the West Sacramento Riverwalk
19 story office tower
14 floors of commerial office space atop 5 story parking garage
400K sf Commerical Office
1000 space garage
Developer: Panattoni Development Company
Architect: Hellmuth, Obata, Kassabaum (HOK)
Construction Status: u/c
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/377/calstrs400k1nf.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116795



Residential high/mid/low rise



Globe Mills
@ 12th and C street
6 Story refurbishment of Mill
143 residential units
Developer: Cyrus Youssefi and Skip Rosenbloom
Architect: Applied Architecture, Mike Malinowski
Construction Status: Under renovation
http://www.shra.org/Content/CommunityDevelopment/AlkaliFlat/AFProjects/GlobeRendering.jpg


Cooper Union Building
@ 16th and H street
43 Residential units
10k sf ground floor retail space
Construction status: u/c
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7564/1334/320/139054/43B018F0-F468-4305-8CB3-717325CF05C5_or.jpg


* Historic Hale's Building
@ 9th & K Lofts: 33 units

* North End Lofts II
14th & H street Lofts: 14 units

* Washington Park Village
17th & D street Townhomes: 53 units

* IronWorks
(Triangle Area/West Sacramento) Lofts: 180 units

* Upper Eastside Lofts (Transit Oriented Development)
65th street/adjacent 65th street RT Metro Station
Lofts: 140 units adjacent
Developer: Rasmussen Properties/partnering with Separovich Domich

* Whiskey Hill Lofts
21st & S streets
Lofts and carriage houses: 30 units
Paul Petrovich

* SoCap Lofts (Phase I)
North side of R street between 6th and 7th streets
Loft style homes: 32 units

* Tapestri Square
21st and U street
58 Brownstone- style homes on 3 acres
Developer partners: Tony Giannoni, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis
and Metro Nova Communities of San Diego
Architect: PHA Architects

* Sutter Brownstones
27th and N street
32 Brownstone-stle homes
Mark Friedman with Michael Heller
Loftworks

* Alchemy at R street
between 26th and 27th street
R Street Homes
• Five distinctive urban style homes
27th Street Homes
• Three classic mid-town styled homes
Luxury Rental Units
• Five 775 sf ground level work-live studios.
• Ten 700-1000 sf townhouse style units
• Loft and townhouse rental units are housed in a distinctive and appealing building
with a hip, multicolored, hard-edged appearance.
• 940 sf ground floor commercial component.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/alchemyr-1.gif
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/artisticRendering01.gif



Hospitality


Joie de Vivre Hotel
"The Citizen Hotel"
@ 10th and J street
Historic 15 story Cal West office building being converted into a 200 room
boutique hotel with two ground floor restaurants, 7th floor sky deck (lounge)
and penthouse ballroom.
Construction Status: Under interior renovation
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5774/shallit017ql.jpghttp://dwb.sacbee.com/static/rich_content_images/181577-0217hotel.jpg



Medical/Academic (includes some mixed use)


Sutter Medical Center Urban Village Project
@ 28th and N street
New Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center (Hospital)
Renovation of Sutter General Hospital (Ose Adams Medical Pavilion as of 2010)
Renovation of Sutter Cancer Center
32 new residential units on N Street between 26th and 27th Streets
New retail, restaurant and commercial space
New parking garage
New theater complex for the B street Theatre
New Children's Theatre of California
Construction Status: various project phases u/c
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/678-1208sutter01.gif
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/slide1.jpg
New Ose Adams Medical Pavilion
http://www.suttermedicalcenter.org/expansion/slideimages/slide9.jpg
New Sutter Medical offices
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7564/1334/320/834947/Loftworks.jpg
New Residential component 28th and N street



Arts/Cultural and Entertainment


K Street Central
@ 10th and K Street
Phase I: 200 seat Live Cabaret Theater
Ground floor restaurant and 2nd floor lounge
http://media.sacbee.com/smedia/2007/06/07/18/302-7X10KSTREETDT.embedded.prod_affiliate.4.JPG
Construction Status: u/c
Phase II: 21-Story 158 unit residential tower with ground floor retail
Developer(s): CIM Group, David Taylor, St. Anton Partners,
Cordano Company and Paragary’s Restaurant Group



Crocker Art Museum Expansion @ 3rd & O street
Highlights of the new state-of-the-art Museum building include:
*Three times the current space for the permanent collection
*Four times the current space for temporary exhibitions
*300-seat auditorium/lecture theatre
*Café with indoor and open-air seating in the courtyard
*Double the current number of parking spaces
*Expanded Museum Store
*Increased accessibility
*7,000-square-foot courtyard plus public access to the current courtyard
*Loading dock, freight elevator and increased onsite storage space
http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/about/expansion.htm
Status: u/c
http://media.sacbee.com/smedia/2007/07/25/18/646-crocker.standalone.prod_affiliate.4.jpg



E. Claire Raley Studios for the Perfoming Arts
4th and H Street
4-Story 46,000 sf of office, classroom and rehearsal space for
The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Opera
and The California Musical Theatre..
Status: u/c
http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/UserFiles/Image/pic_SPA_a_300(1).jpg


*1531 L street Firestone Building
Tennants: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, DeVere's Irish Pub and a lounge
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1975/firestoneam7.jpg


Capital Unity Center @ 16th & N street
http://www.capitalunity.org/images/option2av1.jpg




Approved/Awaiting start of construction


Residential high/mid/low rise



Cathedral Square Condos
@ 11th and J street
26 story 290' tower
233 residential units
27K sf commerical/office
15K retail
Developer: St Anton & J Cordano Company
Architect: Kwan Henmi
Construction status: Pending Design Commission Approval
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2428/stanton30pv.pnghttp://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4750/stanton25yn.png



East End Gateway
Sites II and III @ 16th and O Street
Developer: Ravel Rasmussen Properties
Architect: Chang Partners
Site II: 4 Stories, 24 Apartments, 4900 sf retail
Site III: 5 Stores, 60 Apartment, 7100 sf retail
Status: Approved with construction start July 2008
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb297/snfenoc/EastEndGateway_1.jpg


*11th Street Lofts (11th & R street behind exisitng 3 story brick building) 14 Live Work Lofts

*12th Street Lofts (12th & R street) 16 Live Work Lofts



Transportation


Sacramento International Airport Phase I Expansion 2010/11
$1.1 Billion Replacement and Expansion (of Terminal B)
New Central Terminal Complex
New 19 Gate Concourse B (with 2 International Gates)
New Parking Garage #2
New FAA Control Tower
Automated People Mover to Concourse B
Upper/Lower Decking of Roadway for Central Terminal (Arrivals and Departures)
Architect(s): Fentress Bradburn Architects of Denver/Corgan Associates
Status: EIR Complete/Construction estimated to begin in Spring 2008.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/Ext_small.jpg
(Rendering Corgan Associates)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/SAC20Int.jpg
(Rendering Corgan Associates)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/Sacramento20Ext.jpg
(Rendering Corgan Associates)



Planning Process/Pending City Design Review and Planning Commission Approval


Office/Commercial


Meridian II
@15th and K street
22 Story Office Building, 300'
Developers: Tony Giannoni & Angelo Tsakopoulos
Architect: Lionakis Beaumont Design Group
Construction Status: Possible Spring of 2008
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/15thkstreettower3re91.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/5985/998304000qr2.jpg


9th and L street
15 story office tower, 150'
6500sf of gorund floor retail/424 parking spaces
Alternative proposal: 13 story residential tower 150'
173 residential units/219 parking spaces
6500sf of ground floor retail
Developer: Cordano Development
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/831lstreet5officebl0.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/831lstreet4officedc9.jpg
(two views/office proposal)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/831lstreet6resld1.jpg
(residential proprosal)



Residential high/mid and low rise



The Metropolitan
@ 10th and J street
38 Stories, 430'
350 residential units
13K sf ground floor retail
Developer: Saca Development
Architect: Kwan Henmi
http://www.kwanhenmi.com/images/portfolio/housing/metropolitan/metropolitan_1_bg.jpghttp://www.kwanhenmi.com/images/portfolio/housing/metropolitan/metropolitan_2_bg.jpg



301 Capitol Mall
Developer: CIM of Los Angeles
Controlling Interest: CalPers
Construction Status: Site prep/clean-up underway.
Cal Pers and partner CIM of Los Angeles, considering developemtn options for site.
CIM intends to use piles/foundation for a project that they say will be "iconic in nature"



K street condo tower(s)
800 block of K street
Two towers approx. 22-25 stories
220+ residential units per tower
28,769 sf retail
Developer: John Saca, Mo Mohanna, John Lambeth
Architect: Kwan Henmi
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/8thK5.jpg


Capitol Lofts
@ 12th and R street
119 Warehouse Conversion Loft Units,
3K retail space
12th and R Street
Developer: Regis Homes
Architect: David Baker & Partners
http://www.capitollofts.com/images/capitol_renderings.jpg


Newton Booth
@ 27th and V Street
32 Residential units
Developer: LJ Urban
Architect: David Mogavero
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7564/1334/320/429214/Rendering%252003.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7564/1334/320/897441/Rendering%252002.jpg


East End Gateway
Site 1 @ 16th and N street
15 Stories
125 residential units
3,450sf ground floor retail
Status: Pending Design Commission approval
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1121/eeg11gc0.png


Crystal Ice Building (Inudstrial/Residential Rehab)
R Street between 16th and 18th
141 Residential units/retail and dining
Building height (up to) 7 stories
Developer Mark Friedman
Architects: GBD Architects
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/untitled1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/untitled.jpg


401 Broadway
@ 4th and Broadway
http://www.sacfrg.org/images/401-BWay-10.jpg



@ 1409 R street
12 residential lofts above reastaurant/bar which may include:
sake lounge and Japanese restaurant
"modern & hip" Hof Brau
bistro
coffee house
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4635/1409rdj5.jpg[/QUOTE]



Twelve
(12th/13th street at C street) T.O.D.
10 single family homes
30 lofts
1000 sf ground floor retail
Developer: Urban 44
Architect: Malcaullay + Architects
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/Twelve.jpg


*3,000 condos/lofts (West Sacramento Riverfront) Friedman/Rumsey Band.

*SoCap Lofts (Phase II) 32 high density loft style homes South side of R Street between 6th and 7th street (2007)

*Cal Pers High density housing project on the South Side of R street between 3rd and 4th street

*61 single-family homes
21st and U street,
45 detached three-story townhouses
16 units will be 1,000-square foot carriage houses
Developer: Meridian of San Diego



Mixed Use Residential/Commerical/Retail/Hospitality


Capitol Grand Tower
@ 12th and J street
70 story 965' to spire
771' to roof
mixed use condo/hotel tower/office tower
1.17 million sf (total space)
54,634 sf commerical office
278 residential units
200 hospitality rooms
Developers: Mo Mohanna and California Medical Group
Architect: Nadel Architects Inc
Construction Status: Traffic study currently underway
http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/2166/cgelevation20070315dv5.jpg


701 L street
31 story mixed use residential/office 445'
80 residential units
240K commerical office space
10K retail
Developer: Danny Benvenuti
Architect: Hellmuth, Obata, Kassabaum (HOK)
Privately financed by developer and pending relocation of Greyhound Station
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/701-1.jpg



Riveredge
7 Towers (between 10 and 20 stories)
Along 14 acres of West Sacramento Waterfront
South of Tower Bridge and West Capitol Avenue
791 market residential units
104 affordable residential units
120k sf retail/commercial office space
200 room hotel
Developer/Architect Dean Unger and Associates
Status: Proposal/ financing not yet secured
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/tower.jpg


1901 Broadway Mixed Use Development
http://www.sacfrg.org/images/1901-night.jpg
The Broadway Lofts is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development (TOD) infill project. The site is located in the historic Tower District where Midtown meets Land Park, two of the central city´s best neighborhoods. Directly adjacent to the site is the Broadway Light Rail Station, in addition to several bus routes. The project will include a mix of retail, residential and office uses with some on-site parking. Residents will have easy access to the Light Rail Station for a quick commute to downtown employment centers. 1901 Broadway will apply `smart growth` principles to an underutilized site, utilize `green building` methods and `intelligent building` design principles. The Broadway Lofts will be the region`s first "Intelligent Green Building" and become a new landmark on Broadway.




Infill Development (Mixed Use)


UP Railyards (Sacramento Gateway)
240 acre redevelopment includes
12,000 residential units
low, mid and high-rise towers of up to 40 stories
3 million square feet of office space
1.3 million square feet of retail
Performing Arts Center
Arts Academy
Public market
Railroad Technology Museum
Bass Pro Shop signed letter of intent May 2006)
Developer: Thomas Enterprises (Atlanta)
Architect: Jon Jerde
Construction Status: Thomas Enterprise closed escrow on the 240 acres in December 2006.
Accelerated cleanup of contaminants over the next two years.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/rich_content_images/17973-milennia250x203.jpghttp://downtownsac.org/uploads/projects/railroad_tech_museum.jpg
http://www.sacramentorailyards.com/assets/slideShow/slide4.jpg


Township 9
River District (bounded by Richards Boulevard, North Fifth
and North Seventh streets and the American River)
$1.7 Billion Transit Oriented Development
3,000 condominiums, town houses and apartments on 65 acres
low, mid and high rise buildings
Developer:Capitol Station 65 LLC/Nehemiah Corp.
Construction Status: Pedning before the design Commission
Estimated groundbreaking 2008


The Docks...
Front street
Multiple mid/highrise towers
35 acre high density riverfront development between Capitol Mall & Broadway
23 acres North of Pioneer Bridge
14 acres South of Pioneer Bridge
Developer: Kenwood Investments (San Francisco)
http://img492.imageshack.us/img492/1666/clipimage0027ou.gif (http://imageshack.us)


*Two towers 20 and 15 stories
Mixed use commerical/residential
South of the 13th street RT Metro Station
between Q and R streets
Developer: John Freguson


700 Block of K street
Revitalization of 700 Block of K street
Developer: Joe Zeiden (Z Gallery Founder)
Retail to include: Borders, Urban Outfitter, Lucky Brand Dungarees and Sur la Table
Construction Status: parties currently in court to force land swap
http://downtownsac.org/uploads/projects/zeiden_6_2006_02.gif


*Raley's Landing West Sacramento Mulitple towers:
1) 'River One' is an 18 story 150+ unit residential tower 245,000sf commerical and 42,000 Restaurant/Retail
2) Washington street property 6 story 550 residential units (Panattoni Development)



Transportation



Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility
Rail: RT Metro Trains (local light rail), Capitol Corridor (Bay Area), San Joaquins (San Joaquin Valley),
Amtrak, Greyhound and Regional Transit as well as other Metropolitan transit agency buses.
The proposal moves the historic depot 350 feet north and restores its original use as a
waiting area and ticketing area.
Status: Planning process/Partial funds secured
http://downtownsac.org/uploads/projects/intermodal.jpg



Sacramento International Airport Phase II Expansion 2020 (and Beyond)
12 Gate Expansion of Concourse A
New 23 Gate Concourse C
New Automated People Mover from Central Terminal to Concourse A
New Automated People Mover from Central Terminal to Concourse C
Expansion of Central Terminal (Centralized ticketing and baggage handling for Concourse A, B and C)
New RT Light Rail station for Natomas/Airport extension.
New Parking Garage #3
Status: Phase II part of Airport Master Plan. Phase I EIR and design work currently underway
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/NewSMF.jpg



Arts/Cultural and Entertainment



Sacramento Center for the Perfroming Arts
13th and K Street Mall
Renovation of the City's 2500-Community Center Theater
Status: Intial funding provided for design work
http://downtownsac.org/uploads/projects/comthe.jpg


Dining and Retail


* Westfield's Downtown Plaza (Remodel) Addtition of new 'Urban Target Store' as well as specialty grocer, relocation of theaters as well as Plaza improvements.


Recently Complete


Marriott
@15th and L street
15 story 150' hotel
250 hospitality rooms with 30 residential units on top 3 floors
Developer: Three Fires, LLC
Architect: Johnson Braund Design Group
Construction Status: Complete
http://www.jbdg.com/images/mri-sacramento_lrg.jpg


M.A.R.R.S (Midtown Art Retail & Restaurant Scene)
20th street between K and J streets
2 Story 50,000 sf historic structure.
Interior and exterior renovation including the addition of an expansive pedestrian walkway and plaza
area spanning the full length of the building along 20th Street, as well as creative upgrades to the building exterior, lobby, and core areas.
M.A.R.R.S. is a unique, daring, urban, artistic, funky project right in the heart of Sacramento's Midtown Arts & Entertainment District.
Construction Status: Complete
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/mars-photo-a.jpg


Cathedral Building
@ 12th and K Street
4 story refurbishment of old Sears building
23 residential units
Spa
Ground floor dining
Developer: Bob Clippinger
Architect: FFA Design
Construction Status: Exterior and frame work complete/Interior work ongoing
http://www.thecathedralbuilding.com/assets/images/perspective4.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f24/friedpez/IMG_0171.jpg
(Photo Update courtesy of friedpez)

*Capitol Terrace 21st & L street; 65 units/3,000 retail (St. Anton)
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2728/img3834wc2.jpg

*Fremont Mews 118 Lofts/22,000 sf community garden
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8527/untitled7fh1.png

*01 Lofts @ 16th & K street; 23 lofts/ground floor retail (Loft Works)
http://www.ffadesign.com/projects/images/mix_16kelev02.jpg

*Plaza Lofts 8th & J street
225 Lofts 22k sf Ground Floor Retail
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Sacramento/070125SAC164.jpg
(photo courtesy of Plinko)

L Street Lofts
@ L street between 18th and 19th streets
8 stories
92 lofts
6K sf ground floor retail
Developer: Sotiris Kolokotronis
Architect: Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects
Construction Status: u/c
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5056/lstreetloftnv3.jpg


*1801 L street at 18th and L street
5 Stories
187 rental units,
10K ground floor retail
Developer: Sotiris Kolokotronis
Architect: Vrilakas Architects
http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/3816/untitledpw7.png

If anyone has any corrections to what is listed above, please feel free to post it and I'll make any necessary changes.

[urban_encounter]

Links to major Sacramento projects...


301 Capitol Mall (The Towers)
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=85715

500 Capitol Mall
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116260

601 Capitol Mall (Aura)
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=90073

621 Capitol Mall (U.S. Bank Builidng)
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=86268

CalSTRS HQ
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116795

Epic Tower
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=110616

Capitol Grand Tower
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=107705

Sacramento International Airport Expansion/Remodel/Transportation Forum
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=114398

Sacramento International Airport Expansion/Remodel/California Forum
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=114356

[sugit]

..................

[colemonkee]

Great thread. That Parthenon building is ridiculous, though. They should redesign that sucker before they build it.

[sugit]

yeah, that thing is pretty fugly. I bet it gets set back to the drawing board for some major revisions after the design review board meeting

[sugit]

almost forgot the big one...it's going to be a little while for this one though.

10K homes in the former railyards on about 240 acres, .. should be of all heights 4 to 20 stories and above. Density of about 60-75K per square mile..major density...not even including all the retail, office and other uses.

(prelim)
- 39 acre intermodal station
- 2.4M sf office
- 620K retail
- 300 hotel rooms
- 350K ft of public and cultural space.


http://www.sacbee.com/static/rich_content_images/17973-milennia250x203.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

I think Aura is around 440 feet. And the model was made too dark. It should be a sky blue color.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Great news for Sac it's finally getting a downtown that will be noticed.

[Paul in S.A TX]

What is there to do in DT Sac? How does it compare to cities like New Orleans,San Antonio,San Diego cities that are known for having vibrant downtowns.

[cascraperdude]

Well, the cities you have listed are huge tourist destinations (especially SD and New Orleans during Mardi Gras). Sacramento doesn't have nearly the number of attractions you might find there. We have Old Town, the Capitol... the river is not really developed but there is a plan to build around it. The restaurant scene is definately getting good in both DT and midtown area (just east of the "core" downtown). I come from the east coast and find the food is getting very good.

There are also several small musuems that are good. But in general, I don't think Sacramento offers a lot of "vibrant" things to visit per se. It is more of a very nice work/live city that is close to major destinations (SF, Napa, Tahoe, etc).

[ltsmotorsport]

I totally agree with the restaurant scene. There are some real good eats. Now if we could get an Ethiopian place like the one I ate at on U street in DC, that would be awesome.

There are also plenty of night spots in Sac, the problem is that they aren't centrally located in one area (except old Sac). The nightlife, minus the restaurants, is kinda spread around the central core of the city.

[SacTownAndy]

Yeah, I think this thread would be a lot better with some renderings (like the SD thread). It's hard to picture/comment on some of these projects without images.

I have renderings for just about every project urban listed above and then some. I'll throw them on here as soon as I get back to Denver and my own computer.

[jetsetter]

Tsakopoulos Investments has a very strong influence in California. The mam would runs Tsakopoulos is Greek. That is the reason for the design. If he wants the tower built, it will be built.

[Jasonhouse]

I like the Towers on Capitol Mall and Aura... The rest are so-so, with the Parthenon being quite sad.

These projects, if all built, should help Sactown's skyline really thicken up and become much more recognizable.

[colemonkee]

Tsakopoulos Investments has a very strong influence in California. The mam would runs Tsakopoulos is Greek. That is the reason for the design. If he wants the tower built, it will be built.

I'm aware of Tsakopoulos' influence in Northern California, I grew up in Sacto and remember a lot of the smaller developments he pushed through. However, he doesn't rule the City of Sacramento with an iron fist, and hopefully the system works in this case. I appreciate the fact that he is celebrating his Greek heritage, but celebrating it with such an architecturally inappropriate design, especially at that scale, is just ludicrous. It makes no sense to plop a beautiful example of a low-rise classical building onto a modern high-rise structure. It's just plain poor taste.

[urban_encounter]

Great thread. That Parthenon building is ridiculous, though. They should redesign that sucker before they build it.


We're with you 100%. I overheard the project manager for 500 CM (which is the Parthenon) making fun of the replica on top of the building. Believe it or not though he said they have a lot of interested tenants. We're assuming form Sacramento's large greek community.


I think i could overlook the ridiculous Parthenon if the windows weren't so dark. BTW the guy who designed this also designed West Sacramento's Ziggaraut. :rolleyes:


Thanks Costa for the Photos

[urban_encounter]

What is there to do in DT Sac? How does it compare to cities like New Orleans,San Antonio,San Diego cities that are known for having vibrant downtowns.


Paul no offense but i've lived in San Antonio and DT San Antonio is isn't necessarily "vibrant" per se' along the lines of San Diego and New Orleans. The River Walk and River Center Mall are a wonderful anchor for DT San Antonio, but that's about as much as a tourist trap imo as Old Sacramento. As far as Downtown Sacramento and San Antonio, Sac offers more galleries, and pubs, that attract younger people imo. I also think there's a much larger variety of cuisine options, although SA Is a wonderful place to experience TexMex. I will say that I think that San Antonio does some things better than Sacramento (The River Walk) for starters and highway planning for another. However in the same respect, Sacramento has a few qualities i couldn't find in SA. Both are wonderful mid sized cities imo. San Antonio still ranks as one of my favorites.

[urban_encounter]

Parthenon
29-stories, 434 feet
http://www.sacbee.com/ips_rich_content/927-0513details.jpg





I really hate this thing.

[urban_encounter]

What is there to do in DT Sac? How does it compare to cities like New Orleans,San Antonio,San Diego cities that are known for having vibrant downtowns.


BTW and one more thing, I admittedly haven't been back to SA in four years so it's quite possible DT SA has taken off in terms of "vibrancy" I'll concede you would have better knowledge of it than me. San Antonio is my favorite Texas City and I loved living there. It has a natural beauty with the trees that reminds me of Sacramento.

I wouldn't mind getting out to see what's gone on development . I have a friend who happens to be an architect in SA.

[urban_encounter]

okay, this thread needs pictures




You forgot the 12th and K Lofts


;)

[urban_encounter]

I've added 621 and Parthenon to the list. Origionally I wasn't going to include offce towers, but decided that since we have photos (Thanks Costa) we should list them.


Clarifications from the Sacramento forumers, are these two proposals the same?


*700 & 800 block of K street 955 units with 107,330 sf retail (Evergreen/Fischer) pending council agreement.

*South West and South East corner of K street (at 8th) two Towers, 500 + Condos.

[ltsmotorsport]

I think the second line is talking about half of what the first line is. Confused now?;)

[urban_encounter]

I think the second line is talking about half of what the first line is. Confused now?;)


Don't you have studying yet Mr. Urban Planner?


:D

[ltsmotorsport]

There will be no insolence in this thread. Plus, I don't start classes 'till tuesday.:D

[ltsmotorsport]

I like the Towers on Capitol Mall and Aura... The rest are so-so, with the Parthenon being quite sad.

These projects, if all built, should help Sactown's skyline really thicken up and become much more recognizable.

Really? No love for 701 L? I mean, the base needs a little work from what's in the rendering, but the shape is awesome.:yes:

[urban_encounter]

I like the Towers on Capitol Mall and Aura... The rest are so-so, with the Parthenon being quite sad.

These projects, if all built, should help Sactown's skyline really thicken up and become much more recognizable.

Really? No love for 701 L? I mean, the base needs a little work from what's in the rendering, but the shape is awesome.:yes:


Yeah I agree Mike. 701 L is an awesome design in my opinion. I just hope design review or the or some of the more extreme preservationists don't insist upon saving the ugly facade of the Greyhound depot.

[urban_encounter]

701L Street
31-stories, 400+ feet
http://www.sacbee.com/ips_rich_content/135-701.jpg



I really like the lines and appearance of this building.

[ltsmotorsport]

Surprised no one mentioned this yet, but this just got approved last Thursday and demo of the building currently on the site will start in a couple weeks, with piles starting by the end of the year.:cool:

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6153/301towers49lf.jpg

[urban_encounter]

Surprised no one mentioned this yet, but this just got approved last Thursday and demo of the building currently on the site will start in a couple weeks, with piles starting by the end of the year.:cool:

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6153/301towers49lf.jpg


Thanks Mike, (You beat me to it) ;)

[ltsmotorsport]

Here's good pdf list+maps of everything going on in Sacramento.

http://www.cordanoco.com/project_pdfs/towers_tradestudy4.pdf

[urban_encounter]

Currently Under Construction.........


*"The Towers" 301 Capitol Mall twin 53 story towers 750 Condos/276 room hotel & Ground floor retail SACA development. Demolition on the exisitng structure has begun.

* 621 Capital Mall, 25 story (400 foot ) office tower. Developer David Taylor. Construction start within the next week or two.

*Plaza Lofts 225 Lofts/22,000 sf retail (CIM Group)

*Fremont Mews 118 Lofts/22,000 sf community garden

*1850 L street 176 units/9,600 sf retail (Sotiris Kolokotronis)

*Capitol Terrace 65 units/3,000 retail (St. Anton)

*15 story Marriott Residence Inn & Condominiums 239 hotel rooms/30 Condos top three floors

*16th & K street 23 lofts/ground floor retail (Loft Works)

*19th & O 10 lofts/10,000 sf ground retail

*12th & K (Old Sears Building) 12 Lofts on the 3rd & 4th floors/Ground floor retail

*9th & K (Former Hale Dept Store/office building) 33 Lofts

*North End Lofts II 14th & H street 11 Lofts

*H street Lofts approximately 8-10 Lofts

*Cal Pers 166 housing units .....R street (Phased)

*Globe Mills 12th & c street 143 Flats/Lofts

* Upper Eastside Lofts (Transit Oriented mixed use Development Planned are 140 units adjacent 65th street RT Metro station) --Ravel Rasmussen Properties/partnering with Separovich Domich.



Awaiting start of construction.


*Aura 38 story residential tower 7th & Capital Mall (Approx 300 Condos) ground Floor retail). BCN Development (Est Construction start late 2005). Goes before planning commission on Sept 22nd for final approval.


*11th Street Lofts (11th & R street behind exisitng 3 story brick building) 14 Live Work Lofts

*12th Street Lofts (12th & R street) 16 Live Work Lofts

*Capitol Lofts 13th street station 114 1, 2 & 3 bedroom lofts& live work lofts

*CADA Warehouse (11th & R) 48 Lofts/Flats and 6 penthouse units

*East End Gateway (16th & N) 130 units with ground floor retail (Lambert Development)

*East End Gateway (16th & O NW Corner) 34 Lofts (Loftworks)

*East End Gateway (16th & O SW Corner) 56 Units/ground floor retail

*East End Gateway (16th & P) 34 units

*IronWorks (Triangle Area Of West Sacramento) 180 Lofts

*Cal Pers (Regis) 700 & 800 Block of R street 32units/1600 sf retail

*Cooper Union Building 16th & H street 13 units/ground floor retail



Planning Process..........


*Epic 50 story condo tower 12th & I street BCN Development.

*Capitol Grand 38 story residential tower 13th & J street, Approx 195 Condos/192 room hotel Mo Mohanna/Lamberth (Est Construction start 2006)

*11th & J street 23 story residential tower with 200 units. St. Anton/Cordano Development (Est Construction start 2006)

*701 L street 31 story mixed use 70-80 apartments (top 12 floors) 160,000 sf ground floor retail/ 233,310 sf office Tower Development (Est Cont start 2006/2007)

*UP Railyards 10,000 housing units/ground retail (application submitted to the City Millenia Associates) pending sale of UP railyards.

* 500 Capital Mall 'Parthenon' 29 story office building (Tsakopoulis family trust) Est construction start 2006



Proposed............

*3,000 condos/lofts (West Sacramento Riverfront) Friedman/Rumsey Band. Estimated construction start 2007

*10 & K street 150 apartments 80 condos 60,000 sf entertainment/retail (Taylor/CIM) pending council agreement.

*700 & 800 block of K street 955 units with 107,330 sf retail (Evergreen/Fischer) pending council agreement.

*South West and South East corner of K street (at 8th) two Towers, 500 + Condos.

*San Diego developers Meridian announced plans to build 61 single-family homes on the site of an office building at 21st and U
45 detached, three-story townhouses 16 units will be 1,000-square foot carriage houses sitting atop garages.

28 lofts and carriage houses at 21st and S streets, just one block from the Meridian project. (Paul Petrovich).

[urban_encounter]

okay, this thread needs pictures



Aura Condo's
38-stories, ~400 ft
www.auracondos.com
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8731/aura172qe.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/6568/aura98zf.jpg





Aura cleared desgin review tonight, and is expected to break ground in November.

:D

[DerekfrmSA]

What is there to do in DT Sac? How does it compare to cities like New Orleans,San Antonio,San Diego cities that are known for having vibrant downtowns.


Paul no offense but i've lived in San Antonio and DT San Antonio is isn't necessarily "vibrant" per se' along the lines of San Diego and New Orleans. The River Walk and River Center Mall are a wonderful anchor for DT San Antonio, but that's about as much as a tourist trap imo as Old Sacramento. As far as Downtown Sacramento and San Antonio, Sac offers more galleries, and pubs, that attract younger people imo. I also think there's a much larger variety of cuisine options, although SA Is a wonderful place to experience TexMex. I will say that I think that San Antonio does some things better than Sacramento (The River Walk) for starters and highway planning for another. However in the same respect, Sacramento has a few qualities i couldn't find in SA. Both are wonderful mid sized cities imo. San Antonio still ranks as one of my favorites.

I can tell you lives in San Antonio during the late 80's/early 90's.

Downtown SA is quite different from just 4 years ago.

[urban_encounter]

Downtown SA is quite different from just 4 years ago.


I lived there back in 1994, '95 and part of '96. I think the last time that I've been back to visit was in 2001 or 2002. I met a friend for Fiesta who was born and raised in SA who now lives in Phoenix.

I didn't notice that much difference Downtown the last time I was there, except for a few new small hotels. The 'night life' was pretty slow when I lived there and hadn't changed noticeably the last time I was back. Sixth street in Austin was usually where everyone went for a "night on the town" and my roommate bolted for Austin nearly every weekend, so I usually just stayed in SA and explored the area.

Most of the energy and vibrancy in downtown was limited to the River Cener Mall and the Riverwalk and immediately around the Alamo shrine. But if you ventured a block or two away from those environs, the energy level dropped off pretty quickly.

The Riverwalk is beautiful and many cities have tried to copy it without much success. SA has also positioned itself well as the family entertainment destination for South Texas, with Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World.

Like I've said though, it's still my overall favorite city in Texas and arguably one of my top five in the U.S. (despite my joking around with Paul in SA Texas (See Tom Benson moving Saints to SA thread.....;) )

But anyway SA is a beautiful city with good people living there. I really enjoyed my time there and I enjoy reading about all of the exciting proposals for SA.

But I'm getting :offtopic: (so I apologize to my fellow Sac forumers).

:D

[urban_encounter]

:offtopic: <<<I did this so that I could beat SLO Mike to it.........


;)

[ltsmotorsport]

Since when did I become the posting police?;)

[mthq]

Just curious... what currently sits on the spot of 'The Towers'?

[urban_encounter]

Just curious... what currently sits on the spot of 'The Towers'?




This (It's a former four story bulding that once housed the former Sacramento Union newspaper)



http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8815/thetowersdemo31le.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[mthq]

Thanks! the picture really helps! :)

I was actually standing right there at the entrance of the Wells Fargo tower a couple years ago -- yet when I was recently reading about 'The Towers', my mind totally blanked on me when I tried to remember what I saw across the street (now I know why I forgot heheh)...

Looks very depressing.. glad to see the Towers are approved :)

[ltsmotorsport]

Yeah, hopefully the building will be down by November.

[ltsmotorsport]

Here's the updated renders for the Parthenon.

http://www.capradio.org/resources/images/1806.jpg

[urban_encounter]

I don't know, it's actually starting to grow on me. Granted, they could have done much better. But given what we're likely to see come from the state for the West End towers, this is probably much better. Besides I like the idea of the rooftop restaurant.

[Stephenapolis]

The Parthenon is starting to grow on me. But it still looks like something built in the early 70's.
Aura and Epic are my favorites by far. But the Twins look mighhty nice too. I would love to see a rendering of the Sacramento skyline with all of these proposals added to it.

[urban_encounter]

Here is a rendition that one of our forumers (GrowinUp) posted.

This photo still doesn't show the state complex that is to the right of this picture.

This photo shows those towers that are pretty well on their way to construction. Epic stands a good chance due to the sales success of 301CM and Aura.

301 CM
Aura
Parthenon
Epic (which is shown about 8 blocks from it's new proposed site)


This photo does not include the

West End towers 28 and 22 stories approximately

701 L street (31 stories)

Meridian Plaza II (22 stories)

10th & I Saca Development (30 stories)

The Capitol Grand (38 stories) 13th & J street Lamberth/Mohanna

Saint Anton Tower at 11th and J street (approximately 23 stories)

Sacramento's skyline is in the process of a major transformation (which is long overdue).

Within the next 3 to 4 years the image provided by GrowinUP gives you a good idea what DT will look like. Within the next 5 years the Sacramento skyline will be practically unrecognizable from what it is today if the buildings not pictured but proposed get built.




Anyway, special thanks to GrowinUp

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/DTsac07.jpg

[Stephenapolis]

Now that is IMPRESSIVE!!!!

[ltsmotorsport]

And a HUGE improvement in terms of density, street life, and, of course, the skyline.

[urban_encounter]

Here is the updated rendering of what the skyline (should) look like in the next few years........... Not pictured is the state office complex (existing) and planned towers to the right of this picture)



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/DTsac10.jpg


The new towers will really give some badly needed elevation and density (especially along Capital Mall)


Photo rendering is courtesy of GrowinUp

[GrowinUp]

A little larger...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/DTsac11.jpg

[GrowinUp]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/DTsac12.jpg

[jaga185]

wow, there's a lot happening in sac, and I love the whole restaurant on the roof idea for that Parthenon building.

[urban_encounter]

See updated construction list.........:D

[urban_encounter]

wow, there's a lot happening in sac, and I love the whole restaurant on the roof idea for that Parthenon building.


Yeah there's a flurry of activity. All of it looks pretty solid to be built too. The one tower that was most in doubt, has been 621 CM, which now has financing, permits and should start construction anytime. 701 L and Parthenon are being self financed by the developers on spec office (and in the case of 701 L mixed use with apartments. All of this should dramatically alter the Sacramento skyline.

There are a few other projects in the pipeline along K street and the West End project that should add 3 to 4 more towers in addition to what you see here, as well as the existing state office complex out of sight of this picture.

It should add up to one hell of a skyline and one (long overdue for this City). :D

[ltsmotorsport]

I thought this should be added too.

Picture taken by LOOKnUP. Illustration made by GrowinUp.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/towers03.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

A few updated renders. First Epic-

http://www.bcndevelopment.com/images/epic.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/AURADVD02.jpg

*note- these renderings are @ the old location. From the perspective of the aerial, it would be one block north (right) and two blocks east (behind) of where it's shown.


Ground level view of Aura on Capitol Mall-

http://www.bcndevelopment.com/images/gallery/25b.jpg

http://www.bcndevelopment.com/images/gallery/24b.jpg

[cascraperdude]

I thought this should be added too.

Picture taken by LOOKnUP. Illustration made by GrowinUp.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/towers03.jpg

GrowinUp that is very good work!

You should diagram some buildings too!

[urban_encounter]

Newest proposal as of 10/15/05

8th & I street (21 story Condo tower)

Texas based D.R. Horton was given top marks out of four proposals to redevelop the County owned parcel at 8th & I street in Downtown Sacramento.

The proposal calls for a single tower of 21 stories 295 condos with a small amount of offices and retail. Horton was selected due to it's ability to move forward quickly with the project and because of it's deep pockets. ($11 Billion in gross revenue last year).

[SacTownAndy]

^ Here's a render for the above mentioned D.R. Horton condo tower at 8th & I Streets:

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/5105/sachorton6ao.jpg

[SacTownAndy]

I'm glad I *finally* get to say that I think Sacramento will have a very "sexy" and recognizable skyline in 5 years. ;)

[urban_encounter]

I'm glad I *finally* get to say that I think Sacramento will have a very "sexy" and recognizable skyline in 5 years. ;)


Unless the market for Condos collapses along with the housing market. (Although I don't expect the market to Collapse in Sacramento considering the growth this area is going to experience). But as somebody asked in another thread, how much of a psychological effect will the housing market cool down and rising interest rates have on the market??? I think 301CM, and Aura are far enough along so as not to be affected. But I'm not so sure about the others. Also none of this should have an effect on the office projects, (701 L street, Parthenon and 621 CM). So I think you'll get that sexy sklyline either way. Hopefully most of the highrise residential projects will get built. But they will get built because people are tired of long commutes and are looking for a different kind of living besides the burbs.

[urban_encounter]

Newest Proposal.......

35 story mixed use tower

10th & J streets
35,000 Retail Square Feet
330 units Residential Units

By John Saca the developer of the "Towers" at 301 Capital Mall


:banana: :apple: :leek: :tomato: :cucumber: :carrot:

[Paul in S.A TX]

Quote;
Paul no offense but i've lived in San Antonio and DT San Antonio is isn't necessarily "vibrant" per se' along the lines of San Diego and New Orleans. The River Walk and River Center Mall are a wonderful anchor for DT San Antonio, but that's about as much as a tourist trap imo as Old Sacramento. As far as Downtown Sacramento and San Antonio, Sac offers more galleries, and pubs, that attract younger people imo. I also think there's a much larger variety of cuisine options, although SA Is a wonderful place to experience TexMex. I will say that I think that San Antonio does some things better than Sacramento (The River Walk) for starters and highway planning for another. However in the same respect, Sacramento has a few qualities i couldn't find in SA. Both are wonderful mid sized cities imo. San Antonio still ranks as one of my favorites.


Actually,

San Antonio attracts over 21 million tourists, probably more than New Orleans and San Diego.One source said New orleans attracts 10 million visitors per year.I thought it would be more than that.San Diego i dont know the numbers.

San Antonio downtown mostly Tex Mex? LMAO, hundreds of restruants pubs etc that offer every type of cuisine, in the downtown area.Houston street,St.Pauls Square,Sunset Depot and also the Riverwalk cater to the young crowd.There are 2 arts districts downtowns .Sac is not there yet. have you been to SA lately?OMG, I dont think SAC would be considerd a top tourist covention destination like San Antonio.

Looks like it's moving on up tough, wish we had news of a couple new 400 and 500 footers ?

How many people visit SAC annually?

[ltsmotorsport]

GTFO of this thread! No one wants you here, and you aren't contributing anything. Please leave.

[urban_encounter]

Quote;
Paul no offense but i've lived in San Antonio and DT San Antonio is isn't necessarily "vibrant" per se' along the lines of San Diego and New Orleans. The River Walk and River Center Mall are a wonderful anchor for DT San Antonio, but that's about as much as a tourist trap imo as Old Sacramento. As far as Downtown Sacramento and San Antonio, Sac offers more galleries, and pubs, that attract younger people imo. I also think there's a much larger variety of cuisine options, although SA Is a wonderful place to experience TexMex. I will say that I think that San Antonio does some things better than Sacramento (The River Walk) for starters and highway planning for another. However in the same respect, Sacramento has a few qualities i couldn't find in SA. Both are wonderful mid sized cities imo. San Antonio still ranks as one of my favorites.


Actually,

San Antonio attracts over 21 million tourists, probably more than New Orleans and San Diego.One source said New orleans attracts 10 million visitors per year.I thought it would be more than that.San Diego i dont know the numbers.

San Antonio downtown mostly Tex Mex? LMAO, hundreds of restruants pubs etc that offer every type of cuisine, in the downtown area.Houston street,St.Pauls Square,Sunset Depot and also the Riverwalk cater to the young crowd.There are 2 arts districts downtowns .Sac is not there yet. have you been to SA lately?OMG, I dont think SAC would be considerd a top tourist covention destination like San Antonio.

Looks like it's moving on up tough, wish we had news of a couple new 400 and 500 footers ?

How many people visit SAC annually?


It's cool Mike, I know that Paul loves SA and there's alot to love about it. It's all in good fun.

Paul I would be the first one to argue on behalf of San Antonio in many respects. Objectively, I don't think there's any question that if you ask 10 people if they would prefer to visit San Antonio or Sacramento, probably 7 out of 10 would say San Antonio.
Sacramento is adjacent 3 wine appelations, so obviously the 3 that would choose Sacramento are wine drinkers like myself. ;)
I'm not sure how many visitors Sacramento attracts though it pales in comparisson to SA. I think the numbers here are between 6 and 10 million visitors a year. Maybe one of the other forumers knows exactly.

But San Antonio has a wealth of opportunities for visitors and I think that's why it's such a wonderful tourist destination.

Fiesta Texas
Sea World
The Alamo
the River Walk
The Mercado
the Japanese Tea Garden as well as the Botanical garden


These are great tourists destinations for Texas and the nation. I think my comments are more along the lines (not as a tourist) but as somebody who has lived in both cities and being objective about what they offer (not for visitors) but for residents.


If you read my comments on some of the other subjects, you'll see that I'm as objective about Sacramento as I am about San Antonio (or anywhere USA).

The Sacramento waterfront is an embarassment and I think it's nonsense for people to consider that Sacramento is ready for MLB, although some of my friends and fellow forumers would disagree.

Sacramento has a much better transit system with the Capitols between the Bay and Sac and RT Metro running nearly 40 miles of tracks and all but about 6 miles double tracked.

San Antonio has a much better highway system and not the third world (neglected joke) of a highway system we have here in Sacramento.

Like I said though, I stand by my comments about the limited cuisine options for San Antonio. It hadn't changed much during my last visit. Nor has the downtown changed much from when I lived there. Though I'm sure that like Sacramento, things are getting better with time and growth. There are some exciting things happening in San Antonio and that's why I love to follow along and keep track of my old stomping grounds. I love San Antonio and still have many friends there.

Having lived in both cities I know there are more similarities than people who haven't lived in both realize.

[ltsmotorsport]

I'm just sick of his trolling. No one asked him anything about SA in this thread about Sacramento construction. Make no mistake; he's a troll, pure and simple.

[Paul in S.A TX]

What a sport, but urban encounter frequents SA threads and I enjoy his comments even if I dont agree on everything he says.This is a forum isnt it? SO GET OVER IT!!! I REPLIED TO HIS COMMENT!!! TROLL, WTF ever!!! TROLLS are the ones that get all bent out of shape becasue of a reply.Did I call him a troll for his reply!!! SO whats the big deal then?

[Paul in S.A TX]

Ive been a member since 1999 so I think I deserve the right to reply.

[ltsmotorsport]

Sure everyone does. But no one likes shameless boosterism. Just look at your "response" and tell me that's not combative.

And how could you accuse me of being a troll in a thread that I have actually contributed to?

[urban_encounter]

Like I said I think it's all in good fun. I think each member should enjoy this forum and contribute what they can. Pau's comments weren't meant to degrade Sacramento and in fact he hasn't said anything in this thread that wasn't true. I have no problem being objective and Paul even complimented the addtitonal towers going up DT.


Both cities are wonderful cities imho. They both have something many cities of equal or larger sizes lack (and that's character). Believe me when I say this, because i've done a great deal of traveling. I've always said it's not the size of the city (or even it's skyline). It's how it weaves into the fabric of the community.

Both cities are wonderful and I love keeping an eye and contributing in the SA forums and I certainly don't mind forumers from other communities offering their objective opinions.

:)

[GrowinUp]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/DOWNTOWNzzzzzzzzz.jpg

[urban_encounter]

I wonder why they felt the need to label the Tower Bridge and the Sacramento River?


Duh!

[urban_encounter]

Looks like it's moving on up tough, wish we had news of a couple new 400 and 500 footers ?



600+ footers, but who's counting.


;)

[urban_encounter]

More of Epic.........



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/img_full.gif


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/img_full1.gif


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/img_full2.gif


50 stories Mixed use 615+ feet.

[enigma99a]

wow interesting lobby for Epic. Can't wait for the marketing push soon so we can get more information.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Dam ! That is tight NEW SACRAMENTO.

[urban_encounter]

Dam ! That is tight NEW SACRAMENTO.


Yeah all of these new towers will sure make the 28 and 30 story towers dwarfs in comparison.


The new skyline and new DT are about 20 years overdue. But better late than never.

I wasn't a fan of Epic when the first renderings came around, but when it's shown from another angle, it looks pretty sharp.

[ltsmotorsport]

I totally agree. I really like the concave side of it.

[urban_encounter]

I totally agree. I really like the concave side of it.


I just hope the (underachievers) on Design Review don't make Libeskind and Nassi tone it down. They have a way of taking nice designs and turning them to crap. (imho)

[ozone]

I totally agree. I really like the concave side of it.


I just hope the (underachievers) on Design Review don't make Libeskind and Nassi tone it down. They have a way of taking nice designs and turning them to crap. (imho)

LOL _"The Underachievers". Sounds like a great name for comedy about bureaucrats.

I totally agree with you though. This city really need more daring designs. Who are these arbitrators of taste on Design Review anyway? Are these the same people who approved the SMUD “Plaza of Lights” ..[barf].

[urban_encounter]

Planning for 23 story Meridian Plaza II getting underway

Bob Shallit (SacBee Business section) 11/16/05


One down, one to go: The developer of downtown's Meridian Plaza office building at 14th and L streets is about to launch the project's second phase - a 23-story tower right behind the 12-story, 240,000-square-foot original.
Tony Giannoni says he has just signed a contract with architecture firm Hornberger+Worstell and expects to submit plans to the city in three or four months. The start of construction is probably a year away.

What will be in the new building, at 15th and K? That's not decided. Offices, certainly. But it could have upper-level residential condos. Office condos also are a possibility.

"We want to be as flexible as we can so we can adjust to the market," says Giannoni.

How has leasing gone on the first building? Very well. Industry talk has a local law firm taking the building's last big chunk of available space - about 24,000 square feet.

"That's the scuttlebutt," Giannoni says, then all but confirms the rumor. "That's why we're kicking off Phase II."

[ltsmotorsport]

Really glad to hear this news. Just another dirt parcel to get developed downtown.:yes:

[urban_encounter]

With all the activity at that End of DT, Lofts, East End, The Park, The Marriott, it's time for that parcel to be developed.

[urban_encounter]

http://www.downtownsac.org/uploads/projects/800saca.jpg


Here are (very early) renderings of two condo towers proposed for the K street pedestrian mall in Downtown.

These towers haven't yet been to desgn review. (Thankfully)


(photo courtesy of Sugit ;) )

[skyscaper mamma]

First results look good, so managers ask to take Matrix citywide


By Mike McCarthy
Sacramento Business Journal
Updated: 7:00 p.m. ET Nov. 20, 2005


Ray Kerridge's experimental program for faster approval of development applications has worked so well in central Sacramento that he will ask the City Council to make it permanent and expand it citywide.

City staff will ask the council early next year to switch all of Sacramento to the "Matrix" program, said Bill Thomas, operations manager for the city's Development Services Department. Kerridge, named interim city manager after manager Bob Thomas announced his impending retirement, was hired to oversee that department.

"It's starting to work pretty well," Bill Thomas said of Matrix. "It's a work in progress, but a ton of little nuts-and-bolts things have been worked out."

Under the pilot program, he said, the average time needed to process commercial applications within the department has been halved -- one of the main goals -- to three weeks.

Big projects like downtown high-rises, which can spend 41/2 to 61/2 years moving from design to construction, are saving four to six months within the department; the program has little effect on delays during reviews by the Planning Commission, City Council or other bodies.

The Matrix, devised by Kerridge and Bill Thomas, is the city's response to long-standing complaints that its construction application process is bureaucratically impersonal, confusing and horribly time-consuming. The new system emphasizes efficiency and friendly staff cooperation with applicants, going so far as to call them "customers," and assigns a team leader to track projects and answer questions about their status.

Projects with an estimated value on more than $500 million have been handled or are being processed by the pilot version of the Matrix. They include the Aura condominium high-rise proposed by Craig Nassi at 6th Street and Capitol Mall, John Saca's planned condo high-rises at 301 Capitol Mall, and Tsakopoulos Investments' high-rise offices at 500 Capitol Mall, which some call "The Parthenon."

Nassi's and Saca's projects have been approved and are headed for construction. The Tsakopoulos project is being redesigned after feedback from its Matrix team.

Good reviews, within limits: The 500 Capitol Mall developer, Angelo G. Tsakopoulos, said the Matrix has done well by his proposal and he's happy to hear it could go citywide. "It's a good signal to the business community," he said, "that the city is making such a strong commitment to revamping the way it handles applications."

Developers who were asked how Matrix was working for them liked the program. Sotiris Kolokotronis, formerly a critic of the city for its handling of development applications, said Matrix is "working really well. It's a proactive approach." His proposed lofts at 1850 L St. are being processed using the Matrix.

But that doesn't mean builders believe the city processing is perfect.

For instance, Steve Eggert of St. Anton Partners, recently submitted a proposal for a high-rise condo project at 11th and J streets. The Matrix worked wonderfully for his partnership -- as far as it went.

"Hey, I'm looking at a half-year for a traffic study," Eggert said. "It shows there are additional issues the city should be addressing."

Things may change on that front. Development Services is working on a traffic master plan for downtown that would allow traffic studies to be completed more quickly, Thomas said.

Eggert is one of the few to have started his application after Matrix's official start this summer. He said he was assigned a team leader and team even before he applied, and that their suggestions were very helpful.

Moving quickly
Kerridge was hired away from Portland, Ore., early this year so that he could apply in Sacramento the efficiency methods he devised there. He brought along Bill Thomas, who was also his foreman in Portland.

They started the Matrix officially in August, although it had begun in small ways earlier in 2005, not long after Kerridge became a deputy city manager in charge of the Development Services Department. The department then was a recent creation, consolidating several development-related offices in an earlier move to streamline operations.

Closely watching the Matrix is the Development Oversight Commission, a city-appointed advisory group composed of construction industry leaders. Developer and consultant Brian Holloway, former chairman and current member of the commission, said Matrix should rule citywide.

"Where it's been used," he said, "I've heard of nothing but success for the applicant. The commission is very pleased with it."

[doormanpoet]

Congrats Sacramento!

[urban_encounter]

West Sacramento rising
Project would change skyline, image

By Ed Fletcher -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, December 5, 2005
Story appeared on Page A1 of The Bee

West Sacramento city planners have long dreamed of constructing a large-scale commercial corridor, connecting to Sacramento's central business district. In the 1990s, the dream expanded to include people living, working and playing along West Sacramento's waterfront.
Now, a plan to build a six-building complex of mid-and high-rise office and residential towers across the river from Old Sacramento brings that vision closer to reality.

The project has yet to be approved by the city's Planning Commission or council, but it appears to have strong backing, and construction could begin in 2007.

The Raley's Landing complex would radically reshape Sacramento's skyline, extend downtown across the river and give added prestige to the capital city's western neighbor.

West Sacramento boosters are feeling as optimistic as they did when the first pitch was thrown at Raley Field in 2000 for the Triple-A River Cats. They predict this latest high-profile development will open people's eyes to the fast-growing, former blue-collar town.

"It's going to be a stigma-buster and set the groundwork for future development in the area," said Bryan Turner, a West Sacramento developer not involved in the project. "That project is really just one more project to add to the West Sacramento renaissance ... that will forever change the way the rest of the region views West Sacramento."

Just a few years back, the Raley's Landing proposal might have been viewed with heavy skepticism. But now the project - both complementing and righting the errors of the ziggurat office building - is the next logical step for booming West Sacramento, city officials and developers say.

In addition to the proposed office and residential towers by Sacramento's Panattoni Development Co., the project includes several six-story condominiums and apartments, with ground-level restaurants and shops, and on-site parking. A hotel and conference center also is under consideration.

City officials and outside developers said an anchor tenant for the tallest structure of the complex - a 19-story office building - has been identified and will help ensure the project's success. City officials have refused to name the tenant or who might operate the hotel until the project's backers are ready to announce their roles.

A Panattoni official also declined to discuss the project.

The proposed development, on land owned by grocery chain Raley's Inc. and the Teel Family Trust, adds to a growing list of major projects planned for the Sacramento skyline.

Twin 53-story condominium towers were approved by the city of Sacramento over the summer, and a 25-story office tower and 38-story residential tower have been proposed.

While not as tall as some as of the buildings being planned for Sacramento, the West Sacramento project would be the largest expansion of downtown in some time.

The 18-acre project would surround the ziggurat building, with structures to the south, east and west of the old Money Store building.

Unlike the ziggurat, the Raley's Landing project promises ample space for retail stores. Built in 1997, the ziggurat has been criticized by urban planners because the building is self-contained - workers generally don't leave during the day to shop or eat at nearby businesses.

"They have a fantastic project," said Mark Friedman, a developer on both sides of the river. "It would be a tremendous addition to the waterfront. It's urban and sophisticated."

West Sacramento's Mayor Christopher Cabaldon - a strong proponent of "walkable" communities - said the fact that the project offers jobs, housing, retail and entertainment makes it ideal for the riverfront.

In the 744-page environmental impact study, pending before the Planning Commission, traffic is cited as the largest potential problem. Long shadows cast by buildings onto homes and construction noise also were cited.

West Sacramento resident Mary Lasell, who attended a Planning Commission meeting in November outlining the environmental study, said her chief concern was the increased traffic.

"Where are these people going to park?" she asked.

While the problem should not be ignored, Cabaldon said, some level of traffic congestion is part of a healthy downtown.

Bringing intense, high-density projects to West Sacramento makes sense, said Robert A. Johnston, professor emeritus at University of California, Davis.

"For a region that has air quality problems and habitat-protection issues it seems like a good idea," said Johnston, an urban growth expert.

Accommodating the region's growth with high-density development near Sacramento's core is far better than building in flat, outlying areas, he said.

Excitement about the project also spans the river.

"My favorite part is the housing," said Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo. "There is enough housing proposed ... to support retail and restaurants. It's going to feel like a neighborhood."

She envisions people living in Sacramento, walking across the Tower Bridge to work in West Sacramento, and vice versa.

"It's a terrific opportunity for us," added Steve Huffman, executive director of the Old Sacramento Business Association. "It's an opportunity for us to orientate our retail mix more toward locals because it will be convenient for them to shop here."

Cabaldon, the West Sacramento mayor, called the River Cats' move across the river five years ago a catalyst for the city.

"None of this - at least on this accelerated time period - would be possible without Raley Field," Cabaldon said. "It's continuing evidence that our little town is able to dream big and be able to get it done."

http://www.sacbee.com/static/rich_content_images/133678-1205wsac.gif

http://www.sacbee.com/static/live/news/images/1205wsac_large.jpg


(Thanks to the Bee and GrowinUp for printing and posting this respectively)............:)

[urban_encounter]

This project was origionally proposed at 38 stories and just over 400,000 sf.

It appears to be growing a bit.

This proposal will instead be 56 stories and over 1 million sf.
Approximate height between 650-670'.


Raising the possibility that the building boom will provide a couple of 400'ers 500'ers and at least four 600' + towers.


This rendering is from GrowinUp who tweaked the origional proposal.


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/CGT56-stories.jpg


Special thanks to LooknUp (who has the inside scoop)

[colemonkee]

Whoa! Where is that one located?

[jaga185]

^^^ that one is nice

[enigma99a]

great thing about this tower is that it is only on part of a block, not even a half block. Plus, the next block over will have a 638' libeskind tower.

[urban_encounter]

Whoa! Where is that one located?

The location is where the Grand Ballroom is currently. Directly across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel, on J street between 12th and 13th street.

[kkay1982]

Have they broken ground on Aura yet?

[enigma99a]

^ For Aura, utilities are currently being put in, so depends on what you consider ground breaking.

[urban_encounter]

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/8020/scan00014ci.jpg

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/8681/scan7ad.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

(Special thanks to LooknUp who scanned and posted this in the California forum)

[urban_encounter]

High Density Residential/Office/Retail (Updated 4/15/06)

24 Towers proposed/planned/approved/ or under construction. (Not including Railyards or Docks proposals)

Approximately 22,984 Residential units proposed/planned/approved/ or under construction for the downtown/midtown/combined waterfront area.




Currently under construction:


* 25 story/400' 621 Capitol Mall, office tower. Developer David Taylor.

*15 story Marriott Residence Inn & Condominiums 239 hotel rooms/30 Condos top three floors

*Plaza Lofts 225 Lofts/22,000 sf retail (CIM Group)

* L street Lofts 8 stories 92 Lofts 5,850 sf ground floor retail (Sotiris Kolokotronis)

*1850 L street 176 units/9,600 sf retail (Sotiris Kolokotronis)

*Capitol Terrace 21st & L street 65 units/3,000 retail (St. Anton)

*19th & O 10 lofts/10,000 sf ground retail

*12th & K (Old Sears Building) 12 Lofts on the 3rd & 4th floors/Ground floor retail

*9th & K (Former Hale Dept Store/office building) 33 Lofts

*North End Lofts II 14th & H street 11 Lofts

*H street Lofts approximately 8-10 Lofts

*IronWorks (Triangle Area Of West Sacramento) 180 Lofts

*Globe Mills 12th & c street 143 Flats/Lofts

* Upper Eastside Lofts (Transit Oriented mixed use Development Planned are 140 units adjacent 65th street RT Metro station) Ravel Rasmussen Properties/partnering with Separovich Domich.

*East End Gateway (16th & O NW Corner) 34 Lofts (Loftworks)

*East End Gateway (16th & O SW Corner) 56 Units/ground floor retail

*Whiskey Hill Lofts (30 lofts and carriage houses at 21st and S streets/Rite Aid Drug Store, just one block from the Meridian project. (Paul Petrovich).

*1531 L street Firestone Building (Dining/Retail) Cordano http://www.cordanoco.com/project_pdfs/firestone3.pdf

*M.A.A.R.S Project (Midtown Area Art, Retail Scene in Sacramento's Lavender Heights/Midtown)
Heller Pacific http://www.hellerpacific.com/mars-1.html



Approved/Awaiting start of construction:


* Twin 54 story towers, "The Towers" 301 Capitol Mall (615 ' each) 800 Condos/276 room Intercontinental Hotel & Ground floor retail SACA development. Non refundable deposts being taken at this point and continuing through April. Cal Pers is investing $100 in equity for this project. (Estimated Construction start May 2006)

*Aura 39 story 440' residential tower 615 Capitol Mall (Approx 282 Condos) ground Floor retail). BCN Development (Est Construction start March 2006). Final Approval given 10/27/05. 75% of the units sold (15% non refundable deposits) in 3 day sales event. (Estimated Construction start May 2006)

*11th Street Lofts (11th & R street behind exisitng 3 story brick building) 14 Live Work Lofts

*12th Street Lofts (12th & R street) 16 Live Work Lofts

*Capitol Lofts/CADA Warehouse 122 lofts/condos (Spring 2006)

*East End Gateway (16th & N) 130 units with ground floor retail (Lambert Development)

*East End Gateway (16th & P) 34 units

*SoCap Lofts (Phase I) 32 high density loft style homes North side of R street between 6th and 7th street (2006)

*Alchemy on R Street, High density residential townhomes/lofts N. side of R street between 26th and 27th street

*McNamme Townhomes S.E. Corner of 26th and R streets

*Cooper Union Building 16th & H street 13 units/ground floor retail







Planning Process:


*50 story mixed use tower "Epic" 638' 12th & I street BCN Development. (Est start of construction mid 2006)

*56 story residential tower "Capitol Grand" 13th & J street (estimated 700+'?), undetermined # of Condos/192 room Hilton Garden Inn. Mo Mohanna/John Lamberth (Est start of construction 2006)

*38 story condo tower 'The Metropolitan' 10th & J street, 35,000sf Retail, 330 Residential Units. John Saca Developer

*31 story mixed highrise 701 L street. To have 70-80 apartments (top 12 floors) 160,000 sf ground floor retail/ 233,310 sf office Tower Development (Est Cont start 2006/2007)

*25 story office building (Privately Financed) 500 Capitol Mall (Tsakopoulis family trust) Est construction start 2006

*2 Towers, West End State Office Complex, Option #3 a 20 and 26 story tower (with nearby housing)

*23 story residential tower 11th & J street with 200 units. St. Anton/Cordano Development (Est Construction start 2006)

*23 story Meridian Palza Phase II (Office Building) 15th and K street Tony Giannoni Developer

*21 story tower 8th & I street 295 condos with office
and retail (D.R. Horton of Texas)

*Raley's Landing West Sacramento Mulitple towers:
1) 'River One' is an 18 story 150+ unit residential tower 245,000sf commerical and 42,000 Restaurant/Retail
2) Washington street property 6 story 550 residential units (Panattoni Development)

and........

3) 'River Two' is a 18 story 150 unit residential tower (Site and proposal now controlled by CalSTRS)
4) 'River Three' CalSTRS $180 million HQ, is a 14 story 400,000 sf and 20,000 sf office/retail complex/ HOK Architects.


* Downtown Plaza (Remodel) Addtition of new anchor store and relocation of theaters as well as Plaza improvements. (Westfield)

*3,000 condos/lofts (West Sacramento Riverfront) Friedman/Rumsey Band. Estimated construction start 2007

*UP Railyards 10,000 housing units/ground retail (application submitted to the City Millenia Associates) pending sale of UP railyards.

*"North Town North" 2,723 residential units or (1,831 apartments, 891 houses and 792 condominiums) 75k sf retail at 7th Street and Richards Boulevard. Developer: Capitol Station 65 LLC

*SoCap Lofts (Phase II) 32 high density loft style homes South side of R Street between 6th and 7th street (2007)

*Cal Pers High density housing project on the South Side of R street between 3rd and 4th street



Proposed:


*Two towers 20 and 15 stories, mixed use office/condos towers proposed by John Freguson. The site is
south of the 13th Street RT Metro (Light Rail) station, The station sits between R and Q streets.

*Sacramento Docks Project. 35 Acre Riverfront High density residential, dining, riverfront park (South of Old Sacramento). San Francisco's Kenwood Investment.

*Jiboom Street Partners (PG&E Power Station). 15 story riverfront residential highrise, to include refurbishment of the historic PG&E Building, possible Science and Space Museum (and Planetarium), as well as restaurants and an Amphitheater. (D.R. Horton of Texas)

*9th & L street 15 story officer tower (Cordano Development)

*10 & K street 150 apartments 80 condos 60,000 sf entertainment/retail (Taylor/CIM) pending council agreement.

*800 block of K street (Two Towers) with 500+ residential units and 107,330 sf retail (Saca/Lamberth/Mohanna) pending council agreement.

*San Diego developers Meridian announced plans to build 61 single-family homes on the site of an office building at 21st and U street, 45 detached three-story townhouses 16 units will be 1,000-square foot carriage houses sitting atop garages.



Residential Units Proposed/Approved or Under Construction in the Greater Downtown/Midtown/Waterfront Areas

Currently Under Construction: 1,247 Residential Units

Approved/Awaiting start of construction: Approximate 1,451 Residential Units

Planning Process: 18,205 Residential Units

Proposed: Estimated 2,081 Residential Units


Total number of downtown/midtown/combined waterfront residential units in the pipeline: 22,984




Recently Complete

*Fremont Mews 118 Lofts/22,000 sf community garden

*16th & K street 23 lofts/ground floor retail (Loft Works)



If anyone has any corrections to what is listed above, please feel free to post it and I'll make any necessary changes.

[ltsmotorsport]

Really cool article about all the loft activities going on in Sacramento.


http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/guides/home_garden/news/story/13981834p-14815489c.html


Lofty goals
Young professionals and empty-nesters are exchanging big houses for compact convenience

Robert Barrientos represents a species of inhabitant heretofore nonexistent in Sacramento, a town religiously devoted to the propagation of single-family homes; the manic cultivation of enviable lawns; the stupor of plodding, aggravating commutes.
Loft dweller, circa 2005.

Traits: Has cash. Eats out a lot. Abhors Tuscan style. Knows valet parkers by first name. Folks at Mikuni think he has stock in company. Likes to party.

Barrientos, 35, is the new urban professional. He's a cool guy with a very cool place. He lives in a corner loft above Mikuni on the fourth floor of the Elliott Building, once an auto dealership, now the reigning prototype of smart, metropolitan renewal. That rave cocktail of retail and residential mix that urban planners are pounding down like meteors.

"I have friends in the City," he says, waving a hand about his premises. (Note: All cool people have friends in San Francisco.) "They look at Sacramento as a country town, a place without culture. But they come up here, and they can't believe it! They can't believe that there is a loft like this above a restaurant like Mikuni. They can't believe the view."

The view is utterly believable.

What's unbelievable is the price.

Barrientos pays $4,100 a month in rent, which makes his 1,100-square-foot loft, his floor-to-ceiling windows on the world, his champagne aerie, perhaps the most expensive bachelor pad in Sacramento.

But it is spectacular. It has a polished wood floor, modern furnishings from Limn, concrete countertops, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and not a single drapery in sight. It also has a catwalk deck outfitted with a gas grill and a treadmill.

It suits his lifestyle. "If you want to party, you don't have to drink and drive," he says. "After the bars close, we come here. We finish the night out. I can play my music as loud as I want."

Barrientos, who owns several companies here and abroad, says, "Sacramento is coming around.We're getting better restaurants. I think Mason's (at 15th and L streets) can compete with any restaurant in the City. But I think the average person doesn't know what's going on downtown."

That's because the average person doesn't live downtown.

But what's going on downtown are lofts.

Enough lofts to shelter a new generation.

According to City Councilman Ray Tretheway, who prefers to live in bucolic Natomas, about 3,000 lofts are in the planning stage for downtown. Such projects as Plaza Lofts with 225 lofts at Ninth and J, Library Lofts with 300 lofts at Eighth and I, L Street Lofts with 92 lofts at 18th and L, and the Upper East Side Lofts with 135 lofts at 65th Street and Folsom Boulevard.

"It's healthy," says Tretheway. "But my main question is: If we are going to have a brand-new neighborhood in downtown Sacramento, something that hasn't happened since the turn of the century, where are they going to buy pet food? Or a bottle of milk?

"We're going to have to think of (more) neighborhood services," he adds. "But we're also going to have new voices talking about the livability of downtown Sacramento after 5 p.m."

A few of those voices may be yelling "Shush!"

Michael Ault, head of Sacramento Downtown Partnership, points out that K Street is dotted by spacious loft projects atop existing retail. "Lofts present an interesting development opportunity," he says. "We're seeing an increased interest in urban living from people who want added amenities."

Before we all sell our boring homes and move downtown, let's get a much-ballyhooed term straight, namely:

What is a loft?

" 'Loft' has become another way of saying apartment or condominium with a certain style, a certain quality of space," says Ron Vrilakas, an architect who has designed several loft projects. "The quality of space is more interesting, more invigorating. It's large and flowing, with windows that look out on an active street."

Lofts, too, typically feature exposed beams, ducts, conduits and trusses, harkening back to their first, less-stylish use as industrial buildings. With rents ranging from $1,200 and up, lofts are apparently not the solution for affordable housing.

Why are lofts so popular?

"For a lot of reasons," says Mark Friedman, whose company, Loftworks, has developed a number of projects, including the Elliott Building; O1 Lofts; and F65, a project at Folsom Boulevard and 65th Street that combines lofts and retail.

"First and foremost, it's an urban product. There is a cry and demand for something that is sophisticated and urban. It's really a product that attracts urban pioneers. People who are willing to take a risk."

The typical loft dweller, says Friedman and other observers of the subculture, comes from two demographic groups: young urban professionals with no kids and couples 55-plus with empty nests, eager to enjoy the city's growing attractions.

All are seeking less reliance on the car.

No one wants to manicure a lawn anymore.

David and Jennifer McLean fit the mold. Both are 30; he's an architect; she's a sign language interpreter. But they're also an anomaly in that they have a baby. That would be Caden, 6 months, who has reddish-brown hair, big brown eyes, and who skitters like a bug atop a carpet over a childproof concrete floor.

Two months ago, the McLeans moved into F65. Their loft boasts a soaring 18-foot ceiling, a steel spiral staircase, a mezzanine; one bath, a tidy kitchen, plus a loge balcony with a commanding view of a parking lot, a SMUD substation, the light-rail tracks and, quite often, explosive sunsets.

"I like lots of light," says Jennifer McLean. "I like concrete floors."

In the beginning, the two city natives did the traditional thing and bought a 2,000-square-foot home in West Lake, Natomas, for $342,000. "It was the American dream for a while," Jennifer says. "Until all the bills came. It was a gated community with a pool, a lake, etc. We didn't grow up that way."

So they sold their home for a sizable profit and downsized into a loft. With a three-year lease, they pay $1,400 a month. Their only complaint is a severe lack of storage and convenient parking.

"I like the fact that it's not typical," says David McLean. "That it's not your standard suburban feel. Being a designer, that's important tome. That's what drew us here. Why not?" He laughs, adding, "We're young. Let's do it while we still have the knees to climb up the spiral staircase."

A more typical loft dweller would be the McLeans' neighbor, Heath Kastner, 27, a commercial real estate broker with CB Richard Ellis. Kastner grew up in Lincoln and unhappily owned a home in Rocklin. "I made quite a change," says Kastner. "This is a unique style of living. It appealed to me."

In fact, just about everything crucial to Kastner's well-being is within reach at F65. He says, "Where else can you live and get a Starbucks coffee, a Jamba Juice, and what I think is the best burrito in town, at Dos Coyotes? I'm a busy guy. I need to have access to all the things I need. There's even an ATM machine in the project. Plus it's close to downtown."

Living in a loft has built-in appeal for a charming single guy. "People ask me where I live," says Kastner, who frequents all the downtown watering holes. "I tell them I live above a Starbucks at the corner of 65th and Folsom. They know what I'm talking about. Everybody wants to see the place."

Chris Lango, 41, lives in an alley loft behind Zócalo, a popular restaurant on Capitol Avenue at 18th Street. The building was once an auto dealership, which suits the former Motown native just fine. Lango is a sports producer at Channel 3 and sounds like your typical Oscar Madison type: an affable slob.

"The whole thing is a work in progress," he says of his loft, which is loosely decorated. "I'm not a designer, I'm a sports producer. But it's got a great vibe and feel to it. People who come in here all have the same reaction: 'Ah, this is cool!' "

Robert Barrientos, whom we left at the top of this story standing in loft splendor, is a Paso Robles native who once owned a home in Serrano, a place in El Dorado Hills widely regarded as the penthouse of suburban living.

"I liked it," he says, a bit unconvincingly. "It's a different world up there. I lived there for four years. What I really liked was that it was peaceful at night. You could go out and look at the stars."

Yeah, but how many stars can you look at?

How many times can you dine at Masque?

So, he sold his 3,200-squarefoot home for a ton of dough, and moved downtown. "It's really convenient," he says of his loft. "I can take the elevator down and I'm at Mikuni. I know everybody at Mikuni. The joke is that Mikuni is my living room!"

And if he's too engaged to take the elevator, he calls Mikuni, and they send up a sushi party tray.

Barrientos, who is considering renting an adjacent loft for his office, finds himself driving less than ever. And if he does drive, he pulls up to the Elliott Building and tosses his keys to the valet parkers, who then stash his car for him.

Now that's urban living!

"Everything is within walking distance," says an amazed Barrientos of his fast, slowpaced lifestyle. "My life has definitely changed for the better."

[urban_encounter]

Quote: LOOKnUP This is in this weeks newsstand Sac. Business Journal

Treasure Island rebuilder Top Pick for Docks Venture

Some of the same people picked to help remake Tresure Island and
the Ferry Building have been tentatively chosen to develop "the docks",
a choice piece of property on the downtown Sacramento riverfront.
A knowledgeable source says the Economic Development Department
will advise the city council to select a development team headed by San
Francisco's Kenwood Investments. The docks total 35 mostly vacant acres
between Capitol Mall and Broadway, but the specific area in question is the
23 acres north of Pineer Bridge. About 14 acres could be developed, and
could hold hundres of homes. City officals sent out a request for qualifications
in October, this month they choose five finalists from the eight developers
who responded.

^ There is more on the history of the dock and the developers but I'm
not going to type it in.

http://img492.imageshack.us/img492/1666/clipimage0027ou.gif (http://imageshack.us)
This is a PDF off the city web site showing one of three designs.


The City and County of Sacramento recently voted to cede control of the Port of Sacramento to the City of West Sacramento, which will allow the sale of surplus Port land, allowing the City and County to receive $35 million. That $35 million will be used for riverfont improvements along the Sacramento side of the river. The Docks (I guess it can be said) is Sacramento's version of Portland's South Waterfront Park. This represnts a real opportunity for Sacramento to make a huge impact all along the waterfront, from Miller Park down to Discovery Park, bringing residents, entertainment, retail and dining.

Here is a link to the selcted development group, San Francisco's Kenwood Investments.

http://www.kenwoodinvestments.com/

Let's just hope the Council doesn't drop the ball on this project....;)

BTW special thanks to LOOKnUP for breaking down the article and providing a copy of the rendering....:D

[urban_encounter]

Excerpts taken from todays Sacramento Business Journal 1/6/06


UC Davis is exploring a plan to build a 500,000 square foot health sciences reaserch park on it's medical center campus in Sacramento to house it's booming research program and provide space for private companies that want to take the ideas to market.

It's unclear where the money for the $250 million project would come from, because of strict borrowing limits at the university. There's talk of a public-private partnership that would get most of the money from someplace other than the university.

One plan floated in mid 2004- and endorsed by the Sacramento City Council-would form a nonprofit public benefit corporation tentatively named University Research Partners. The group was then expected to include the university, City of Sacramento, Sacramento Trade and Commerce Corp. and Metro Chamber of Commerce.

"It's unique; it's never been done before," said Barbara Hayes, executive director at SACTO. "The project will make a big difference for biotechnology startups and medical device related companies here in the region."

Financing could come from tax-exempt bonds issued by the city or another entity. The nonprofit would own and develop the research facilities on 10 acres owned by the university health system on Stockton Boulevard, south of Shriners Hosptial and north of Broadway. Once built UC Davis and private companies would lease space.

[urban_encounter]

Old Rendering/Proposal 38 story Mixed use Residential/Hotel
http://www.capitolgrandtower.com/images/rendering.jpg


New Rendering 56 stories Mixed Use Residential, Hotel and Office
http://img274.imageshack.us/img274/2089/capitolgrand6nr.jpg

[enigma99a]

My estimation of Capitol Grand Tower is 750' (228.6m) w/ spire

[Pandemonious]

^Is that height official? I am willing to diagram it when I get a chance.