Sacramento Proposal/Approval/Construction Thread - III

[ltsmotorsport]

The new bridge from Natomas would link Truxel to Sequoia Pacific, not T9. Let's hope that bridge can come soon as it would mean the RT line to the airport would be coming as well.

[NickB1967]

The new bridge from Natomas would link Truxel to Sequoia Pacific, not T9. Let's hope that bridge can come soon as it would mean the RT line to the airport would be coming as well.

Which should go to 5th street, right? But yes, let that be built. :)

I would have extended 8th Street north of the rail tracks as well and continued 7th/8th as one way streets (or alternatively, made 7th street wider, at least 4 lanes), but any increased connectivity of the railyards area and vicinity to the rest of downtown is ideal. And to Natomas, for that matter.

[CAGeoNerd]

The new bridge from Natomas would link Truxel to Sequoia Pacific, not T9. Let's hope that bridge can come soon as it would mean the RT line to the airport would be coming as well.

My understanding is that bridge would be light rail only, perhaps a bike/pedestrian path too, but not for street traffic. I could be wrong though

[Sachornet]

Does anyone know what the status is for the Q19 apartment building? I drive by it almost every day and it doesn't seem like they've made any progress in the last month or two.

[Pistola916]

Does anyone know what the status is for the Q19 apartment building? I drive by it almost every day and it doesn't seem like they've made any progress in the last month or two.


My guess is they are doing interior work.

[ThatDarnSacramentan]

Does anyone know what the status is for the Q19 apartment building? I drive by it almost every day and it doesn't seem like they've made any progress in the last month or two.

I saw them installing window frames yesterday.

[j_deguzman10]

Hi guys I was wondering if anyone plans to take photos of projects around Sacramento anytime soon? I was hoping that people can snap 700K, Q19, DOCO shops across from the G1C and The Sawyer, and TBD. Those projects typically seem to get left out of the spotlight and I would love to see the progress made on those developments! Thanks, hope to hear a reply soon.

[wburg]

My understanding is that bridge would be light rail only, perhaps a bike/pedestrian path too, but not for street traffic. I could be wrong though

That was the original plan; the city had RT go back and consider a bridge that included lanes for auto traffic, so that's the current plan.

[CAGeoNerd]

That was the original plan; the city had RT go back and consider a bridge that included lanes for auto traffic, so that's the current plan.

Huh, well thanks for confirming that point, that's good then to help alleviate traffic and connect the city across the river

[Bubb90]

According to sac biz journal today it looks like the Crocker art museum is seeking a designer for a $40 million art park

[NikeFutbolero]

According to the Biz Journal, they are finalizing a proposal for an 8 story residential at the former Greyhound station.

[Pistola916]

According to the Biz Journal, they are finalizing a proposal for an 8 story residential at the former Greyhound station.

You know what i’m OK with an 8 story there. Wish it was taller or at the very least more units but i’m not disappointed unlike the 5-story at the old Aura site.

Look forward to the rendering

[otnemarcaS]

According to the Biz Journal, they are finalizing a proposal for an 8 story residential at the former Greyhound station.

Former greyhound building and Aura site. From previous proposals for 31-story and 37-story towers to current 8-story and 5-story proposed buildings respectively. :shrug:

Sigh, that's our Sacramento.

[snfenoc]

And that'll be our Sacramento until one or a combination of two things happen:
1) Construction prices, which are ridiculous, come down; or
2) Sacramento becomes so expensive that it's no longer a middle class town.

[Sachornet]

Does anyone know who owns the vacant parcel on 16th and R between the light rail tracks and the Ice Blocks?

I don't ever remember seeing any proposals for that parcel, but maybe i'm just forgetting?

[Sachornet]

It looks like Aggie Square will be developed around Stockton Blvd/Broadway near the UCD Medical Center. I was hoping they were going to choose the Railyards as their site, but I guess it made more sense for them to be near the med center.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article208716999.html

[ljm]

It looks like Aggie Square will be developed around Stockton Blvd/Broadway near the UCD Medical Center. I was hoping they were going to choose the Railyards as their site, but I guess it made more sense for them to be near the med center.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article208716999.html

Renderings can be found here: https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/aggie-square

[ozone]

Former greyhound building and Aura site. From previous proposals for 31-story and 37-story towers to current 8-story and 5-story proposed buildings respectively. :shrug:

Sigh, that's our Sacramento.

This isn’t bad at all. The 700 block of K Street (on the other half of the block) is going to finish up soon. And a 11-story Hyatt is going up across the street (Marshall Hotel). While these are not going to be high-rises collectively are transforming Downtown.

[j_deguzman10]

This isn’t bad at all. The 700 block of K Street (on the other half of the block) is going to finish up soon. And a 11-story Hyatt is going up across the street (Marshall Hotel). While these are not going to be high-rises collectively are transforming Downtown.

Ozone did the marshall hotel actually start construction or no?

[ozone]

Ozone did the marshall hotel actually start construction or no?

I believe they haven’t yet but I’ll check. Unless someone else knows. Btw it’s going to be a “Hyatt Centric” hotel.

[snfenoc]

And wburg to sue in 5, 4, 3....

D&S Development buys former Sacramento Ballet building for apartment project
By Mark Anderson – Staff Writer, Sacramento Business Journal
Apr 19, 2018, 2:53pm
https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/04/19/d-s-development-buys-former-sacramento-ballet.html
D&S Development bought the former midtown headquarters of the Sacramento Ballet, with plans to develop a mid-rise, multiuse building with apartments.

D&S paid $1.5 million for the building at 1631 K St. Though currently vacant, it was previously the headquarters and classroom space of the Sacramento Ballet, which moved in 2016 to the Clara building at 2420 N St.

Built in 1928, 1631 K is 12,400 square feet and has frontage on both 17th and K streets....

Some of the particulars:

Plans are still preliminary. Sorry, no detailed renderings yet.
Located on a small lot (160 x 80)
Height could be 4 - 8 stories
Ground floor retail and creative office space
Number of housing units would be more than 50, but less than 100
Unit size will be smaller - 1-bed / 1-bath, around 600 square feet


Of course, I expect the preservationist community to oppose the project: I think Sacramento's first Latin-zer, transgender, jazz harpist once looked at the building in 1987. Therefore, it should be up for preservation.

[Sachornet]

Here's the proposal for former American Savings building on the corner of 8th and K: http://www.sactownmag.com/Blog/2018/731-K-Street/

[snfenoc]

I really like that remodel. Certainly, I’d prefer if they added a couple more floors to the building - for housing. However, this remode should take that corner from dead and ugly to alive and bright. This is awesome news.

[ozone]

They have started demo of the Cafe Bernardo/Monkey Bar building at 28th Street and Capitol Avenue for the new hotel.


Of course, I expect the preservationist community to oppose the project: I think Sacramento's first Latin-zer, transgender, jazz harpist once looked at the building in 1987. Therefore, it should be up for preservation.

I suppose you're trying to be funny but it's unnecessarily rude. :rolleyes: IF you were familiar with the site you'd know that there is no real historical or architectural value to these nondescript buildings and therefore it's very unlikely that any SacMod or any other preservation group would oppose this development. Plus it's not close to a bunch of old houses so height won't be a major issue.

[ozone]

Here's the proposal for former American Savings building on the corner of 8th and K: http://www.sactownmag.com/Blog/2018/731-K-Street/

This is a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT for that site! One more element towards the complete rejuvenate the 700 block of K St.

[snfenoc]

They have started demo of the Cafe Bernardo/Monkey Bar building at 28th Street and Capitol Avenue for the new hotel.

I suppose you're trying to be funny but it's unnecessarily rude. :rolleyes: IF you were familiar with the site you'd know that there is no real historical or architectural value to these nondescript buildings and therefore it's very unlikely that any SacMod or any other preservation group would oppose this development. Plus it's not close to a bunch of old houses so height won't be a major issue.

Are you sure about that???

These 1910 homes hosted punk rockers and poets. They were just spared from demolition.
BY RYAN LILLIS
RLillis@sacbee.com
April 12, 2018 12:01 AM
Updated April 12, 2018 10:58 AM

...Irene Henry’s family owns the three homes on 21st Street, along with the Capitol Park Hotel at Ninth and L streets downtown. The family wanted to demolish the houses and build a new apartment building on the site...

...“We were hoping to take them down, but the city says no, and there’s not much else we can do,” Henry said. “I think it’s unfair."

The houses have a long history in the city's cultural scene. Beat poet Allen Ginsberg is believed to have done a reading there in the 1970s. By the 1990s, the houses became an epicenter of midtown's punk rock scene. One of the houses was known as "P House," for nearby P Street. Another was called "Casa de Chaos."...


http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article208587144.html

Wburg and his crew of Marxists and progressives successfully blocked the wishes of a property's rightful owner. Architecturally speaking, the central city is chock-full of homes like the ones referenced in the above article. Plus, the subject homes don’t even come close to the best examples that exist in Sacramento. They’re pretty basic.

The homes' historical value seems pretty weak as well: What reasonable person cares if a few old homes became cheap housing for some communist punks back in the 1990s? Alan Ginsburg is "believed to have given" poetry readings all over California. Should we be required save every building that he may have graced with his presence?

I'm sure that, with a little research, one can find something in any building that a special interest group considers "historical.” And that's the whole point of my joke: Nobody else cares about those houses, except a few NIMBYS and a couple punk rockers, yet they're being saved anyway. How can you replace older buildings (which Sacramento has a ton of) and develop more, much-needed housing if the standard for considering them historic is so low?

I lived in Sacramento for 30 years. I have walked that area and passed the old Sacramento Ballet building many times. I am aware that the building is fairly nondescript - so are the houses referenced above. The building does have a great ceiling with nice wood beams and a mural painted on the outside of it. Knowing Sacramento’s community of NIMBY preservationists, those two features could very well be used to make a case for preservation.

As far as the building's provenance is concerned: Who know's? Maybe Baryshnikov's understudy's cousin's drug dealer sold 8-balls outside, on the corner, back in the 80s. “It's possible... Just to be on the safe side, we better preserve the building, then.”

Look, all I am saying is that I would not put it past wburg and his acolytes to find an excuse to block development. They're willing to crap on someone's property rights just because they have a personal connection to a few old, crappy homes. They're still suing over Yamanee (even though the city and a judged ruled against them) and they're trying to derail the Sacramento Commons project.


You found my little joke to be rude? Well, that's kind of the point, isn't it. I wouldn't expect a progressive or Marxist to love my humor. I'm not trying to appeal to you.

Let's be honest, here: You don't like me or my politics. Therefore, you've decided to call me out for making a "meh" joke. The purpose of your post was not be informative or allay my fears. It was to be a smug, dismissive jerk and embarrass me in open forum. I'm OK with that, since I'm a big boy and I can take it. Besides, I don't like you either. I hope you don't live in Sacramento. It gets kinda hot up there; and a snowflake like yourself does not stand a chance :tup:

[ozone]

^^^ yeah you’re just reaching to confirm some bias you have. I don’t have time or patience for that nonsense. I’m pro-development and pro-preservation and feel like everything in life one must weight all factors. When you deride all progressives as raving anti-development it shows an uneducated bias. Plenty of NIMBYs are politically conservative.

[CAGeoNerd]

I'm pretty far left and consider myself a progressive, but even I think some of these efforts to preserve seemingly anything and everything are a bit ridiculous. Not that I favor free reign development, I certainly value historic preservation- but efforts to preserve things more often than not for small significance is a hindrance more than a value. The irony in a lot of the ultra-preservationists is it's an ultra-conservative position to not want to change things.

And you didn't make any jokes, snfenoc - you just insulted anyone to the left of your politics.

[Sachornet]

Since Serg has been slacking, here are some photo updates on a few projects from the Biz Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/04/14/photos-work-progresses-on-construction-projects-in.html

[Sachornet]

http://www.sactownmag.com/Whats-Cooking/2018/New-Market-Club/index.php?previewmode=on

Looks like a good project for the Broadway corridor and the folks at the Mill. Does anyone have any thoughts or know anyone who's purchased at the Mill so far? Just curious what the current outlook is and how that area will develop in the next couple of years.

[Sachornet]

https://twitter.com/benvsacbiz/status/989926155812667393

Here's a rendering of a 5 story apartment building with 95 units from Kolokotronis.

[yolonative]

https://twitter.com/benvsacbiz/status/989926155812667393

Here's a rendering of a 5 story apartment building with 95 units from Kolokotronis.

A little confused. Is it 16th and E, or 16th and F? The tweet says E, but the article appears to say F. Both locations have vacant lots.

[snfenoc]

It looks like the article was corrected to say 16th and E Streets throughout.

I was confused too, because I thought the SE corner of 16th and F was supposed to be the location of an LGBTQ senior housing complex??

There's also a Victorian-style complex going in on the SW corner of 16th of F. Then, there's the Mansion Inn and the apartment complex across the street.

Wow! That area is going to be really busy. I love it. 16th street is a main artery out of downtown. It needs a lot of TLC. Hopefully, 12th street will get the same kind of treatment.

I really admire SKK Development. To go from tough times to development after the development, the way they have, shows a great deal of resolve.

[ozone]

Speaking of SKK I noticed they have put up the fencing around the Sac Bee parking garage at 21st and Q street. Demo should start anytime. The project is called The Press Building. It will take up the entire block and be the largest housing complex built in central Sacramneto since Capitol Towers downtown. It will have 253 apartments, ranging from 500-square-foot studios to a few three-bedroom units at 1,700 square feet.

[DLMugsrove]

I was at 19J on Friday and took a few pictures of it. I figured I'd share them here. I don't go there too often, but it looks a lot different than the last time I saw it in person.

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p459/dlmusgrove/20180427_144750_zps6qnzhfcx.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p459/dlmusgrove/20180427_144642_zpspz47nrup.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p459/dlmusgrove/20180427_144606_zpsnaenojy0.jpg

[snfenoc]

I can't see the photos. Not sure if it's my browser or you need to use a different image hosting site.

[kamehameha]

I can't see the photos.

[DLMugsrove]

That's interesting. It worked when I previewed it before posting. Here's another shot at it. Hopefully it will continue to work this time.

https://i.imgur.com/rAXxEi9l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4GHnVayl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Y5GHmPWl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rj9iixgl.jpg

[SacTownAndy]

What ever happened to that "Repower the Tower" campaign?

[Pistola916]

Aerial flyover of new 20 story state office high-rise on 7th and P street

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxFF22tTNQ

[CAGeoNerd]

Aerial flyover of new 20 story state office high-rise on 7th and P street

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxFF22tTNQ

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Strange to see an actual 20-story building going up and filling in some of the Sacramento skyline after such a drought of construction.

[Majin]

Is this the same building?

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2016/01/07/browns-budget-includes-huge-office-building.html

[snfenoc]

Yes

[Majin]

Thats disappointing then, there were a few articles stating that it could be Sacramento's new tallest but its only 20 floors. Plus I'm not a fan of the adjoining plaza.

[Pistola916]

Thats disappointing then, there were a few articles stating that it could be Sacramento's new tallest but its only 20 floors. Plus I'm not a fan of the adjoining plaza.

Due to the capitol view protection, there is a 300 foot height limit. They could have built it taller elsewhere but it is what is.

[snfenoc]

The protection corridor extends to P street? That's really silly, if true.

It's kinda hard to build tall in the downtown area if a significant portion of that area is controlled by a stringent view protection ordinance.

Having said that, I thought the building's stoutness was mainly due to the state's preference for buildings with ridiculously large floor plates, no?

[ltsmotorsport]

I think it only extends to the subterranean office block to the north. This block doesn't have a height limit as far as I remember. Would have been nice to get a new tallest, even if it is a State project.

After watching the video, you can tell they are spending a great deal on the interior, which is great for a number of reasons. What it also shows me is that there is little imagination to the exterior design, except for adding as many outdoor spaces on the "roof" as possible. Of course this is all nice, but how could it hurt to extend the crown element to fully cover the mechanical equipment? The building looks unfinished and a lazy addition to the skyline. I really dislike the view of the EPA HQ from the north, especially at the crown (coming down 12th Street and further away), and it would be a shame to have that repeated facing west. Would be a visible eyesore crossing the Pioneer Bridge.

[ozone]

I think you guys are being a little too harsh in your criticism of a SOB. This building looks quite a bit better than most of the others built in the last 80 years. The design looks to be responding to sac climate which is smart and appropriate and something we haven’t seen a lot of here. My only beef is I would have preferred the sunken office/roof garden across the street have been the site instead. Actually would prefer housing over more SOB built in that area but that wasn’t going to happen.

[snfenoc]

Well, I don't have much criticism for the building, either. I actually like it. I agree that hiding the rooftop mechanical equipment would be preferable. However, like you, I think this is one of the best building designs from the state in a long time. Also, like you, I'd love to see housing as part of the state projects. However, I know that's a bridge too far for the state. At least there will be a nice plaza with retail at ground level - not bad.

It's important to realize that the state prefers large floor plates. It's not like this building is designed for multiple businesses, who each want a floor (or floors) of their own. At one time, I think the state was planning something quite a bit shorter and fatter; so I see this building as a huge win for Sacramento.

Also, the 11-story building on 12th and O streets that the state is planning seems pretty nice as well. It will also have first floor retail. Given that the current building is a gray 4 story ugg-o monster, I'm pretty happy.

Additionally, I know the state is planning to build a huge garage as well. I'm hoping against hope that the state will add housing to that project. They asked for my opinion of their designs, which were all really nice, and I gave it.

Now, hopefully the state is planning something really special to replace the outdated eastern annex of the crapitol building.

[CAGeoNerd]

Agreed to those points, I actually like this building and it's a nice addition, and at the height it is. Otherwise it would skew the skyline to have a much higher building in that area. Also they are protecting a historic building which is a 3 or 4 story building on the NW corner of that block, so that's why the northern portion is likely shorter/plaza area.

[innov8]

Isn’t it a little early to give praise for a building that is not yet built? The East End
complex on Capitol Ave. was admired until it was finished. It gobbled up 3 ½ block and
destroyed hundreds of housing units in midtown… now look. Renderings are great until
you compare them to the finished product. I guess you could say right now it’s better
than a surface parking lot, (which is there right now) but will the area really change
much… like street life? SOB have made P Street a pretty lonely stretch, I don’t think
this tower will improve that much.

https://s31.postimg.cc/c2lfsrwej/Capitol_View_Protection.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

http://www.qcode.us/codes/sacramento/view.php?topic=17-ii-17_216-viii-17_216_860

Capitol View Protection corridor straddles the block of 7th & P Street. Large floor plates
are what the state prefers; this was mentioned again and again when this site location
was called the West End project in 2007. Back then, the state proposed one tower going
as high as 600’, but most were in the 400’ range. Even with the height restriction
known, the states proposals excided the height limit knowing they did not have to
follow Sacramento City codes when they build.

[wburg]

The "excitement at rendering, disappointment at finished product" is kind of a typical routine--people squeal with delight at the rendering, jump up and down at the sight of cranes, then when the building is done it's treated as a sort of disappointment. Kind of like "Sea Monkeys"--it looks great advertised in the back of a comic book, and it's super exciting when the package arrives, then disappointment when you find out they're just brine shrimp.

The Capitol View Protection Act is state law, not a local height limit, and it doesn't apply to the southern half of this block at all--I assume they are going that high because that's how much space they need on that footprint. The city zoning for this area has no height limit, the only limit is that applied by the state. And if that's the case, the fact that they are making room at the base for the Heilbron Mansion (which will be the focus of the new building's plaza) and stepping down the northeastern quarter is probably what prompted them to build this high. If they had decided to tear down the Heilbron and build on the entire block, they might have only gone 10-12 stories, but because they decided to make room for it (and turn it into the focus of a plaza), and the CVPA, the building will be twice as tall!

[snfenoc]

Sure it's early. But, at this point, all we have is renderings; and those renderings are significantly taller and better than anything built by the state in decades. It's true that the proof is in the pudding. However, the renderings that we have, so far, don't look bad.

You mention the East End complex as an example of a lauded proposal that turned out badly. First of all, I don't recall a lot of us singing its praises. In fact, I always thought that the inclusion of a little (now closed?) sports bar on the corner of 17th and Crapitol was a last-minute, feeble attempt by the state to counteract some of the criticism that the project received. Also, we're not talking about gobbling up 3.5 blocks of prime city land for what's basically a 6-story sprawlscraper that's trisected by the grid. Instead, we're talking about utilizing only 3/4 of one block for a 20-story tower. Also, it looks like the state is making a stronger attempt at building more lively and inviting structure with a plaza and ground floor retail. Will it work and liven up the area? I have my doubts; but we have to take what we can get from the state.

Also, these proposals look to be real - not just possibilities that the state is considering. That 600' tower and those 400' twin, "thin" towers were nothing more than ideas that the Department of General Services was kicking around. They were never serious proposals. In fact, prior to the economic downturn, the state had pretty much settled on a shorter, squatter design. That's why I was incredulous to the suggestion that the view protection corridor was responsible for this 20-story design. The state likes big floor plates; and it almost built something much worse. (Thank god for the Great Recession! ;)) The fact that the state seems to be compromising a bit should be seen as a good thing.

At this point, I am less concerned about height, and more concerned about housing. I think the city needs to work with the state on getting housing injected into those areas. Even if it's 50 units here and 30 units there, the numbers can add up. We have CADA, maybe they should inject themselves into the mix. Really, that area needs some life after 5PM. The state keeps bloviating about housing affordability and sustainability and green living and transit-oriented development and blah, blah, blah. Well, maybe it should adjust its goals a bit, act as a model and include housing with all its projects?

[snfenoc]

Ha! Is this the one time that preservationists actually caused a taller structure to get built? Nah.

I doubt preservation was the key, here. But go ahead, pat yourself on the back if you want...and we all know that you want to.

I thought the state wanted to move the Heilbron house, not destroy it?

Besides, as was mentioned, DGS was kicking around the idea of building other, taller options. It settled on a full block, 11-story building as the economy was going into the crapper. The state put everything on hold, and now it wants to build a 20-story tower and leave the Heilbron house in place. Obviously, it's all because of preservation, right? There are no other factors at play?

Come on, you know as well as I that preservationists act to hinder development by adding additional challenges to an already challenging process. They're goal is to facilitate nothing more than their egos.

[urban_encounter]

It’s difficult to tell from the rendering but please tell me that they’re not using dark tinted windows again?

[snfenoc]

Plans revealed for 125-unit mixed-use project near Sac State
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer, Sacramento Business Journal
May 8, 2018
8 hours ago

https://s7.postimg.cc/ge7yip5vf/Capture.jpg

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/08/plans-revealed-for-125-unit-mixed-use-project-near.html
...plans have been revealed for a new student housing project with ground-floor retail space near California State University Sacramento.

Called Q Street Commons in an application with the city of Sacramento, the six-story project would have 125 apartments above parking and about 1,600 square feet of retail space...

Location will be at the northwest corner where Q Street meets Redding Ave/65th Street. It'll be right across the light rail tracks, due north of the new Hampton Inn.

That area is seeing a pretty good revitalization: The 70s vintage retail center, just to the east, along Folsom Blvd is getting an update. Also, a 90-unit apartment and retail building has been proposed at 65th and Elvas. (https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/04/09/pennsylvania-group-exercises-option-to-acquire.html)

[ltsmotorsport]

That one on 65th (between Folsom and Elvas) is already out of the ground! Just drove by yesterday and looks like they have the makings of concrete forms up for the podium level.

[snfenoc]

That is awesome news! Thank you for the update.

[j_deguzman10]

http://www.sactownmag.com/metropolitan_rendering.jpg

https://www.downtownsac.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Cathedral-Square-Condominium-rendering-e1461261639974-300x282.png

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article187449383.html

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/12/01/city-warns-developer-of-long-delayed-j-street-project-his-permits-may-be-revoked/


Saca, Eggert, and Germania have about two months to show progress on their projects The Metropolitan and Cathedral Square Commons respectively or else they are going to lose their rights to build in Downtown. That deadline is July 16th (CBS got the date wrong). While it is at this point very unlikely that either project will start before the July deadline, us interested in development around the urban core can only pray that these three developers either have a change of heart of somehow find funding for their projects.

While my research has not given me estimate totals for Cathedral Square, The Metropolitan will apparently cost 220 million dollars and the representative for Saca said in May 2017 that the City will not allow construction until funding is fully complete and was asking some 30 million dollars from the city, which at the time of the article shows that Saca was not even close to completing the funding for the project.

It's a total shame too, with the success of the Sawyer condos (one sold for 4.1 million... IN SACRAMENTO!!!) it shows that upscale living is back on the rise again and is indeed economically viable in Downtown. By adding these high rise condos, yes it will increase the rents in the city but it will also bring in some big bucks to the urban core as more and more wealthy people are interested in joining the revival of Downtown and Midtown. This could also bring in some investors for future projects (cough Republic FC cough).

Also, these two projects are around 400 ft tall and would add some much needed density to the skyline and could be a catalyst for future projects as well (paging Sacramento Commons).

However, this is all not guaranteed, especially if these two projects are not built, which if that does occur, will be a total embarrassment not only to the city who failed on 2 more high rise condo projects (301 Capitol Mall, Aura, EPIC, Capitol Grand Tower, I could go on and on and on...) but also to the reputation of the housing market in Sacramento, discouraging other developers from building big in the urban core and leaving us with these dinky 9 story buildings; while they do aid the housing crisis, we would need to build many of them to keep up with the demand, and with all this historical preservation and decrease of vacant lots will kick the city's rear unless they build and think high (Think of 19j, but even higher).

So all in all let's just hope that somehow, someway, these two projects will get off the ground and revitalize J street, one of the most important streets in Sacramento, because if they don't, that blight will continue for decades until the next proposal comes up, which historically takes a long long time...

[j_deguzman10]

Innov8 I have a question regarding the Colliers Q1 report you recently posted: is the $3.00 sq/ft total asking office rate or just Class A space downtown? If it's the former, doesn't that mean that Vanir Tower is close to construction because office levels are pre recession and apparently asking rents need to be around $3.10 sq/ft before construction is justifiable???

[snfenoc]

Innov8 I have a question regarding the Colliers Q1 report you recently posted: is the $3.00 sq/ft total asking office rate or just Class A space downtown? If it's the former, doesn't that mean that Vanir Tower is close to construction because office levels are pre recession and apparently asking rents need to be around $3.10 sq/ft before construction is justifiable???

I know your question was directed at Innov8, but I thought I might chime in as well.

Right direction, wrong time: I think that Sacramento is on track to see a new, private office tower (maybe two). However, I think that groundbreaking is still about 18-36 months away. My understanding is that rents in the Downtown sub market must hit the target (replacement cost) rate before a new office tower is viable; they cannot simply be close. Assuming that the replacement cost is $3.10 sq/ft, rental prices would have to rise another 3.3%. Given that last year's rise (Q1-2017 to Q1-2018) was 2.7%, I think we still have a ways to go.

Shifting goalposts: Also, if construction prices continue to rise, the target rate may rise as well.

Not all office buildings have to be "Spec": While it looks like the state and Centene are about to flood the market with a lot of office space, these millions of square feet are already spoken for. IF a developer can find a company (or companies) that wants to relocate to Sacramento, rental rates could be less important.

It's very easy to look at the numbers an get excited, but you have to think like an investor. What are we seeing right now? Vacancy is down, net absorption and rental rates are up. That should be it; we should be sprouting towers any minute now, right? Not quite. The Sacramento market is considered to be a safe haven for investors. Shorenstein just bought 601 and 621 Crapitol Mall. One of those addresses is an office building. The other is only capable of supporting a mid-rise housing development - according to Shorenstein. Investors see steadily increasing rents and steadily increasing demand. What they don't see is much new competition in the near future - that's why they are buying office buildings, right and left.

[snfenoc]

Kress Building downtown marketed for conversion to lofts
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer,
Sacramento Business Journal
May 14, 2018 - 4 hours ago
https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/14/kress-building-downtown-marketed-for-conversion-to.html
A downtown Sacramento office building for sale is being marketed for potential conversion to residential lofts on its upper floors and retail at the street level.

Built in 1931, the Kress Building at 818 K St. is a six-story office building that hasn’t had any tenants since about 2010, said listing agent Mike Wahba...


Could become luxury 36 units + a penthouse.
First floor and top floor would be a restaurant and bar/nightclub
The building is on the market for $8 million
The building is in good shape and was retrofitted recently. Therefore, conversion to residential may not be as expensive as one might think


At this point, this is only a marketing strategy to sell the building. However, I have always thought that apartments/condos should be the direction for the Kress building. Granted, I'd rather see more units in the 600-900 sq ft range. Still, I'm glad to see that the potential for housing at the Kress exists. Every little bit helps.

[j_deguzman10]

Kress Building downtown marketed for conversion to lofts
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer,
Sacramento Business Journal
May 14, 2018 - 4 hours ago
https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/14/kress-building-downtown-marketed-for-conversion-to.html



Could become luxury 36 units + a penthouse.
First floor and top floor would be a restaurant and bar/nightclub
The building is on the market for $8 million
The building is in good shape and was retrofitted recently. Therefore, conversion to residential may not be as expensive as one might think


At this point, this is only a marketing strategy to sell the building. However, I have always thought that apartments/condos should be the direction for the Kress building. Granted, I'd rather see more units in the 600-900 sq ft range. Still, I'm glad to see that the potential for housing at the Kress exists. Every little bit helps.


May I also add that Ben also reported that 800K by CFY will start this summer at the end of the article, presuming that The Hardin finishes its construction by the expected May or June. If that’s the case, this is wonderful. K street is starting to turn into R Street in midtown with new mid rises and great restaurants! 150 units near the G1C is much needed, and with the hopeful construction of the Marshall and Greyhound, that side of K street will be restored to its former glory back in the 60s!

[j_deguzman10]

I know your question was directed at Innov8, but I thought I might chime in as well.

Right direction, wrong time: I think that Sacramento is on track to see a new, private office tower (maybe two). However, I think that groundbreaking is still about 18-36 months away. My understanding is that rents in the Downtown sub market must hit the target (replacement cost) rate before a new office tower is viable; they cannot simply be close. Assuming that the replacement cost is $3.10 sq/ft, rental prices would have to rise another 3.3%. Given that last year's rise (Q1-2017 to Q1-2018) was 2.7%, I think we still have a ways to go.

Shifting goalposts: Also, if construction prices continue to rise, the target rate may rise as well.

Not all office buildings have to be "Spec": While it looks like the state and Centene are about to flood the market with a lot of office space, these millions of square feet are already spoken for. IF a developer can find a company (or companies) that wants to relocate to Sacramento, rental rates could be less important.

It's very easy to look at the numbers an get excited, but you have to think like an investor. What are we seeing right now? Vacancy is down, net absorption and rental rates are up. That should be it; we should be sprouting towers any minute now, right? Not quite. The Sacramento market is considered to be a safe haven for investors. Shorenstein just bought 601 and 621 Crapitol Mall. One of those addresses is an office building. The other is only capable of supporting a mid-rise housing development - according to Shorenstein. Investors see steadily increasing rents and steadily increasing demand. What they don't see is much new competition in the near future - that's why they are buying office buildings, right and left.

Thanks for responding snfenoc! You are right, while we are seeing growth in the office market, it appears that most of the tech startups and other companies in Sac either want to be in re-use buildings (The Cannery) or in Natomas and other suburbs (2020 Gateway and Centene). It is possible that it could be because of the rising rents and lack of land downtown that major companies like Centene can’t build a large campus or startups like SupportPay cannot afford a large office space in a skyscraper.

Let’s just hope the market can sustain itself for a few more years or else it’ll be another round of disappointment for the city of Sacramento.

[j_deguzman10]

Well, looks like Governor Brown’s budget is going to add ANOTHER courthouse to the skyline, the 17 story building that was proposed will likely get built as Brown set aside nearly 500 MILLION dollars for the new skyscraper that, according to Innov8 on Livinginurbansac, is extremely unappealing, which I agree.

[snfenoc]

Thanks for responding snfenoc! You are right, while we are seeing growth in the office market, it appears that most of the tech startups and other companies in Sac either want to be in re-use buildings (The Cannery) or in Natomas and other suburbs (2020 Gateway and Centene). It is possible that it could be because of the rising rents and lack of land downtown that major companies like Centene can’t build a large campus or startups like SupportPay cannot afford a large office space in a skyscraper.

Let’s just hope the market can sustain itself for a few more years or else it’ll be another round of disappointment for the city of Sacramento.

Another thing to consider is that, with automation, companies may not have the need to house lots people in tall skyscrapers. There may be a preference for smaller spaces. In some cases "built-to-suit" may work as well. I imagine that these buildings may do better in office parks and in the suburbs.

[kamehameha]

I think I'm about right on my prediction that at least 4 midrises/highrises will be under construction or added to the Sacramento skyline by 2020( the two state offices, the courthouse and the proposed 20 story convention center hotel). the Marshall hotel and the Calpers/CIM 30 story proposal on 301 capitol mall could even break ground before 2020.

[j_deguzman10]

I think I'm about right on my prediction that at least 4 midrises/highrises will be under construction or added to the Sacramento skyline by 2020( the two state offices, the courthouse and the proposed 20 story convention center hotel). the Marshall hotel and the Calpers/CIM 30 story proposal on 301 capitol mall could even break ground before 2020.

Kamehameha so you are really confident that the Metropolitan, Cathedral Square Commons, Sacramento Commons, Yamanee, and Vanir will not happen? Also, don’t forget about all the mid rises in midtown and downtown (Site 21, Greyhound, Shorenstein (If they build 14 stories).

Also, CIM is thinking about 40 stories now so hopefully they build that soon but 301 is also the site of the amphitheater of the proposed all star game.

[kamehameha]

no they're not going to get built especially the metropolitan and the vanir. the amphi theater is just a temporary structure being planned for the all star weekend. If the 30 story gets built, they will move it to the railyards.

[j_deguzman10]

no they're not going to get built especially the metropolitan and the vanir. the amphi theater is just a temporary structure being planned for the all star weekend. If the 30 story gets built, they will move it to the railyards.

I doubt the two will get built in the short term or long term but I feel like Vanir could get built, sfecnoc indirectly said Vanir could get built cause the market might be ready in around a year or two.

What makes you say that the buildings, or most proposed buildings will not get built? Do you think that high rise buildings have a place in Sac or will it be destined to be a mid rise market kamehameha?

(Not to be pushy but I’m curious ☺️)

[yolonative]

Well, looks like Governor Brown’s budget is going to add ANOTHER courthouse to the skyline, the 17 story building that was proposed will likely get built as Brown set aside nearly 500 MILLION dollars for the new skyscraper that, according to Innov8 on Livinginurbansac, is extremely unappealing, which I agree.


Do you have an article/link that elaborates on this?

[Pistola916]

Do you have an article/link that elaborates on this?

Mayor Steinberg tweeted earlier Gov. Brown’s budget will include funding for new downtown courthouse.

https://twitter.com/Mayor_Steinberg/status/996081208197922817?s=20

[j_deguzman10]

Do you have an article/link that elaborates on this?

I can’t screenshot something on Twitter, but check Mayor Steinberg’s official twitter and his new website, he praises construction of the new courthouse and calls it “much needed”.

[ozone]

I hate the location and design of the new courthouse. Bad move Sacramento. But it’s the County so what do you expect?

[kamehameha]

the new courthouse is getting closer to reality.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article211142559.html

[TWAK]

Well, looks like Governor Brown’s budget is going to add ANOTHER courthouse to the skyline, the 17 story building that was proposed will likely get built as Brown set aside nearly 500 MILLION dollars for the new skyscraper that, according to Innov8 on Livinginurbansac, is extremely unappealing, which I agree.
What is the other new courthouse? It's not also going into the railyards, is it?

[j_deguzman10]

What is the other new courthouse? It's not also going into the railyards, is it?

TWAK it's the same courthouse that was proposed last year, it's going near the railyards but not in it. The courthouse is supposed to bridge the gap between the Railyards and Downtown, but idk how that's going to happen.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/5l1vxj/picture181372791/alternates/FREE_1140/courthouse%20ground%20level

[Pistola916]

TWAK it's the same courthouse that was proposed last year, it's going near the railyards but not in it. The courthouse is supposed to bridge the gap between the Railyards and Downtown, but idk how that's going to happen.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/5l1vxj/picture181372791/alternates/FREE_1140/courthouse%20ground%20level

Gosh. I hope that’s a conceptual rendering. How do you not put any windows on the side of the building?

[SacTownAndy]

the new courthouse is getting closer to reality.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article211142559.html


I know I'm in the minority, but I kind of like it... well, at least for a courthouse. And it'll block the ugly back side of the Federal courthouse we've all been staring at for 20 years. Hopefully there'll be some type of lighting element.

[snfenoc]

Apartments planned for alley near 29th Street in midtown
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer, Sacramento Business Journal
May 16, 2018 - 2 hours ago

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/16/apartments-planned-for-alley-near-29th-street-in.html

https://s31.postimg.cc/5bbp7lnrf/Sac_Apartment.jpg

New apartments will pop up on an alley-facing pair of empty lots along 29th Street in midtown Sacramento.

Contractor and developer Navinder Bhandal said the 12-unit project is made a bit easier by facing into the alley rather than the busy three-lane, one-way 29th Street.

Location: 29th and Historic Alley (Between H & I Streets)

This is one of those "every little bit" helps projects. I would love to see MANY more of these.

I think another developer had planned a similar 12-15 unit project further down, on a different alley: either Liestal, Matsui, Neighbors, Carriage Path, or Powerhouse. However, community activists complained and stopped it. They said it was too tall and would block the views of neighboring homes. Additionally, they said it would reduce sunlight to the backyards/backsides of those neighboring homes - for maybe an hour or two.

Of course, when one lives in a big city, they have every expectation to maintain their beautiful alley "views" and their total access to sunlight at the expense of development. Sigh.

[snfenoc]

I don't hate the courthouse drawings. They have that 50s government modern vibe. I do think that rounding off the top corners might take it up a notch.

[Majin]

Why do they keep making those plaza's on all of the government buildings? It create big large gaps with "public spaces" that no one uses.

[snfenoc]

Probably for security? They say those plazas are welcoming, but I never feel welcome when armed to the teeth cops are staring me down the moment I step foot on public property. I’d rather they build a park or some housing with retail in those spaces.

[TWAK]

I like the building, but it should be in another location. I'd say maybe rotate it, but the sun bouncing off the windows if they face east to west would be difficult in the summer.

[ltsmotorsport]

I don't mind the building, and I know the location is to be close to the jail, but I wish they would be a little more imaginative with the site design. IMO, the tower should be angled to the street grid instead of conforming to it. Have it go from the SW corner to the NE. The skyline would certainly get some interest with the added angling.

The plaza is also a very traditional courthouse design so I wouldn't expect much different there. Would be nice if there were some progressive ideas to liven up the space but I doubt that would happen for security concerns (even though the space is public).

[kamehameha]

I still think we will have at least 4 or 6 midrises/highrises by 2021 erected or under construction and this is one of them.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/22/work-on-marshall-hyatt-centric-to-start-this.html

[j_deguzman10]

I still think we will have at least 4 or 6 midrises/highrises by 2021 erected or under construction and this is one of them.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/22/work-on-marshall-hyatt-centric-to-start-this.html

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/j2gxm3/picture170743627/alternates/FREE_1140/HyattCentric-creditHRGAArchitecture

I would hope that this gets started on, they said last year that it would start and the year before that and nothing happened so let's hope that no delays will occur so that the project will finally start.

I have to say, K Street is becoming remarkably active w/proposals of The Hardin, Greyhound, Hyatt, 800K, and maybe even Shorenstein which is a short distance away. Perhaps K street will be the R street of Downtown with even more dense and taller buildings in the near future? Only time will tell...

[snfenoc]

Delays will always be a problem....

Developers of 1717 S St. project seek financing
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer, Sacramento Business Journal
May 22, 2018, 6 hours ago

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/22/developers-of-1717-s-st-project-seek-financing.html

https://s9.postimg.cc/ixp7k2ptb/Screen_Shot_2018-05-22_at_8.22.08_PM.png
With its financing uncertain, a mixed-use project at 1717 S St. in midtown Sacramento may not begin construction until next spring at the soonest.

Project partners CFY Development Inc. and Capitol Area Development Authority are looking for other financing sources for the 159-apartment project, which is expected to cost about $63 million.

“Increase in interest rates and HUD eliminating the funding program we were planning to use to fund the project has us scrambling to find a substitute source of funding,” said Todd Leon, a project director with CADA affiliate Capitol Area Community Development Corp., in an email.....

Sigh...two steps forward, one step back.

[ozone]

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/j2gxm3/picture170743627/alternates/FREE_1140/HyattCentric-creditHRGAArchitecture

I would hope that this gets started on, they said last year that it would start and the year before that and nothing happened so let's hope that no delays will occur so that the project will finally start.

I have to say, K Street is becoming remarkably active w/proposals of The Hardin, Greyhound, Hyatt, 800K, and maybe even Shorenstein which is a short distance away. Perhaps K street will be the R street of Downtown with even more dense and taller buildings in the near future? Only time will tell...

Funny you should bring up the Marshall project. SBJ said yesterday that construction of the Marshall/Hyatt Centric is going’s to start this summer. The last tenant left just a month or so ago.

[novatone82]

does anyone think the vanir tower is ever going to be built?

[DLMugsrove]

I'm optimistic it will, even if it takes some time. Sooner or later, there will be a need for a lot more Class A office space downtown.

[ozone]

does anyone think the vanir tower is ever going to be built?

Honestly I hope if it does that they will redesign it. I'm not of fan of the current proposal.

[Pistola916]

Honestly I hope if it does that they will redesign it. I'm not of fan of the current proposal.

If there is one good thing about waiting to see this building come to fruition is maybe a better design comes along.

[enigma99a]

If there is one good thing about waiting to see this building come to fruition is maybe a better design comes along.



What are the issues with the vanir design? It’s not an iconic building by any means and is stubby, but all glass is nice.

[ozone]

What are the issues with the vanir design? It’s not an iconic building by any means and is stubby, but all glass is nice.

Spend much time downtown during our long hot summers? All glass facades are not very friendly to pedestrians. When I walk past the USBank building on Capitol I sometimes feel like an ant under a magnifying glass.

[novatone82]

Its been over ten years since I have been to San Francisco and wow has its gone vertical , I was hoping when i came home from my 7 year vacation starting in 2009 Sacramento would have done the same i was happy to see the golden one center built , does any one think we will ever get vertical and how high, and how long?

[kamehameha]

One more groundbreaking for this week.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/06/01/work-begins-on-new-state-office-buildings-downtown.html

[kamehameha]

65th and Folsom 184 units being proposed.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/06/06/new-proposal-near-65th-and-folsom-calls-for-184.html?ana=e_mc_prem&s=newsletter&ed=2018-06-06&u=6kFe6jlB89wI9dtiKekQzQ05c0fb54&t=1528304667&j=81991341

[snfenoc]

Now this....

An application for a 97-Unit, 8-story, mixed-use apartment building, with two street side retail spaces was filed with the city on May 29, 2018. The project location would be at 1220 H street. Saw this on Twitter. There’s no story yet in the SBJ.

Here is a link to the application on the city's development tracker: https://sacramento.civicinsight.com/assets/attachments/sacramento/8958698/1220_H-ST_APP.pdf

Here is a link to the plans: https://sacramento.civicinsight.com/assets/attachments/sacramento/8960214/1220_H-ST_PLANS.pdf (Huge file alert!)

https://s33.postimg.cc/qg1wxoaq7/Sac_Apartment_1.jpg

https://s33.postimg.cc/xkjq6h527/Sac_Apartment_5.jpg

https://s33.postimg.cc/ucf8tq0vj/Sac_Apartment_2.jpg

https://s33.postimg.cc/eqxx9xwov/Sac_Apartment_3.jpg

https://s33.postimg.cc/4tmwgx73j/Sac_Apartment_4.jpg


A one or two story mid-century modern office building would have to be demolished; and the site is in a fairly low-rise area. So we shall see if the preservationist crew will allow the property’s owner to build this proposal in THEIR city. You must always have their blessing.

https://s33.postimg.cc/dr7mdqwtb/Sac_Apartment_6_-_Old_Buildings.jpg

[Surefiresacto]

Now this....

97-Unit, 8-story, mixed-use apartment building proposed at 1220 H street. Saw this on Twitter. Would someone please post a link to the application? There’s no story yet in the SBJ.


The image looks like it's from H Street (Historic) Alley. I wonder if it's a proposal for the parking lot behind the current H Street buildings rather than to replace them.

... never mind