Sacramento: 301 Capitol Mall: A New Plan for The Towers Site

[mechanico]

I looked into Tishman Construction and they have a large project ahead.
They are working on the Freedom towers another of Daniel Libeskinds Designs, which explains why they are the contractors for Aura. I assume they have many projects going and the Aura delay could be do to scheduling issues, which would be normal. Just speculating,there is no evidence of this!

[creamcityleo79]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I looked into Tishman Construction and they have a large project ahead.
They are working on the Freedom towers another of Daniel Libeskinds Designs, which explains why they are the contractors for Aura. I assume they have many projects going and the Aura delay could be do to scheduling issues, which would be normal. Just speculating,there is no evidence of this!

WOW! Something positive for once! I'm shocked!

[mechanico]

Originally Posted by neuhickman79

WOW! Something positive for once! I'm shocked!

Notice, I'm only negative when provoked.

In a Joe Pesci voice
"Don't make me be the bad guy,here"

[mechanico]

I found this old article and was surprised by the design emphasis on concrete.
Thank you Bennywah for sparking my interest and emphasizing concrete in the construction. If they stuck with this design they won't be using any structural steel . The tower cost should go down in the next year, along with energy cost. Oh and you won't hear yipping sounds through the walls.

http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2005/08/29/focus5.html

It's Friday, I'm off!

[brandon12]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I looked into Tishman Construction and they have a large project ahead.
They are working on the Freedom towers another of Daniel Libeskinds Designs, which explains why they are the contractors for Aura. I assume they have many projects going and the Aura delay could be do to scheduling issues, which would be normal. Just speculating,there is no evidence of this!

at freedom towers, is Tishman actually working on a Libeskind design? the only reason I ask is that I've heard Libeskind's designs were ultimately passed over, but maybe I misunderstood or maybe some of his work is still getting built?

[brandon12]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I'd ask you to save me a place next to the window but given the square footage of these units that won't be necessary.

point well taken...

[mechanico]

Originally Posted by brandon12

at freedom towers, is Tishman actually working on a Libeskind design? the only reason I ask is that I've heard Libeskind's designs were ultimately passed over, but maybe I misunderstood or maybe some of his work is still getting built?

http://freedom-tower-news.newslib.com/story/1591-3068650/

http://www.tishmanconstruction.com/pdfs/freedomsteel.pdf

Go out Brandon, it's friday!

[brandon12]

^I'm already in for the night. We had dinner at a good friend's house. I get out enough, you don't have to worry about me

[innov8]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I found this old article and was surprised by the design emphasis on concrete.
Thank you Bennywah for sparking my interest and emphasizing concrete in the construction. If they stuck with this design they won't be using any structural steel . The tower cost should go down in the next year, along with energy cost. Oh and you won't hear yipping sounds through the walls.

http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2005/08/29/focus5.html

It's Friday, I'm off!

A good place to read up on all that has happen over the last
two years with the Towers is on the first page of this
thread... I got ya covered, even this article

[dcox20]

hmm sactowers.com site is down

the project is doomed... shoot

[mechanico]

I know this isn't an Aura thread and I know this is negative(without provocation) but I can't stand the Aura design! I liked the look of the first design, which from what I understand was basically a miniature Freedom Tower but didn't like that it was basically a miniature Freedom Tower. This is not meant to provoke,really.
So without this turning into a "Mechanico your a prick session", What do you like or dislike about the Aura design(exterior)? Let's make all project designs open to critique. I must say though, I really don't have an opinion about the Tower design. It seems very neutral, in a conservative and somewhat timeless way. I really mean that. Awnestly, and I don't know why, the Tower design reminds me of one of the old Criscraft Boats-- Brass,wood, and glass.

[mechanico]

Maybe, it's a 50's/60's clock radio I think of, when I look at the Towers design. I can't place that look and feel. It's a kind of wood/metal vent rib.

[Jay916]

Originally Posted by mechanico

Maybe, it's a 50's/60's clock radio I think of, when I look at the Towers design. I can't place that look and feel. It's a kind of wood/metal vent rib.

you complain way too much

[sugit]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I know this isn't an Aura thread and I know this is negative(without provocation) but I can't stand the Aura design! I liked the look of the first design, which from what I understand was basically a miniature Freedom Tower but didn't like that it was basically a miniature Freedom Tower. This is not meant to provoke,really.
So without this turning into a "Mechanico your a prick session", What do you like or dislike about the Aura design(exterior)? Let's make all project designs open to critique. I must say though, I really don't have an opinion about the Tower design. It seems very neutral, in a conservative and somewhat timeless way. I really mean that. Awnestly, and I don't know why, the Tower design reminds me of one of the old Criscraft Boats-- Brass,wood, and glass.

I've never been a big fan of it either. It has grown on me a little, but I'm still not a huge fan of the starchitect stuff we see now a days. I know a lot of people see it as art, it's just not for me. I will say though, I am glad to see a little diversity in the look of our skyscrapers.

Originally Posted by mechanico

Maybe, it's a 50's/60's clock radio I think of, when I look at the Towers design. I can't place that look and feel. It's a kind of wood/metal vent rib.

I really like the look and feel of The Towers. It has that classic skyscraper look and feel that I much prefer.

So questions for you then, give me an example of what you like. You more into the modern look, old school, art deco, ect ect?

[william]

Regarding the creeping pessimism about new additions to the Sacramento skyline.

Not all of the proposed project will be built. If half of the present proposals are eventually constructed, Sacramento would be considered doing spectacularly well. In San Diego, a city for which everything fell perfectly into place for high-rise condo construction, only about one in four projects proposed were ever built.

Obviously, Sac Towers will be completed. No one walks away from the kind of investment already made. A banker once explain to me (with tongue firmly planted in cheek) the first three rules of development finance are: More is better than less, sooner is better than later and something beats nothing all to hell. Sac Towers falls under the last of those categories. Aura also should be completed assuming issues, which we have thoroughly discussed here, are true.

Some other reasons for optimism.

Calpers will use Sac Towers as a gauge to determine future investment in Sacramento high-rise investment. I have worked on a few projects with Calpers as an investor. Although they do require a minimum return (and reporting requirements that take FAR too much of a project manager’s time), it not as bad as might be expected. Calpers, in my experience, was committed to urban development and will help finance where others won't because of a commitment to California. With a positive (and profitable) experience with Sac Towers, we can look for them to help with other projects in Sacramento.

A silver lining regarding the real estate slowdown is that we have noticed a flattening in construction (vertical) and development (horizontal) costs over the last few months as demand tapers off. In some cases we have even seen costs drop a little. You first start noticing this kind of thing with scheduling. Trades that couldn’t possibly start work on your project for two months suddenly can start next week if you need them. That is the first sign of weakening demand and that costs are going to become far more negotiable soon. We are seeing a significant amount of that now.

The biggest reason I’m optimistic though is a great pent-up demand for this kind of living in Sacramento. Although behind the curve, there is still plenty of need for say, 5000 new high-rise units downtown. (I think about 10,000 are presently proposed) Sac Towers and Aura only account for about a fifth of that.

Look for proposals from the big public companies (like DR Horton) to get canceled. They have to answer to Wall Street and Wall Street is running scared regarding new housing right now. Look for many projects by private companies to move forward.

One last thing regarding pessimists. One reason I left Sacramento was the oppressive “no can do” attitude (the other being girls in San Diego wore bikinis all year long). I am so grateful to people like Saca for risking everything to change that. His (and those like him) impact can not be understated.

[mechanico]

Originally Posted by Sakramento

you complain way too much

That wasn't a complaint at all.

[sugit]

Originally Posted by william

Calpers will use Sac Towers as a gauge to determine future investment in Sacramento high-rise investment. I have worked on a few projects with Calpers as an investor. Although they do require a minimum return (and reporting requirements that take FAR too much of a project manager’s time), it not as bad as might be expected. Calpers, in my experience, was committed to urban development and will help finance where others won't because of a commitment to California. With a positive (and profitable) experience with Sac Towers, we can look for them to help with other projects in Sacramento.

They gave 100M to CIM Group to manage a couple years ago for CA urban dvelopement. I think part of that money went to 800 J Lofts as well

This is probably something you may not know, but from your experiance..what type of return would they be looking for?

I think I read their return has been around 35-40% (on RE) the last couple of years. I would think they would require something similar

Look for proposals from the big public companies (like DR Horton) to get canceled. They have to answer to Wall Street and Wall Street is running scared regarding new housing right now. Look for many projects by private companies to move forward.

My thoughts exactly...

[TowerDistrict]

Originally Posted by mechanico

I know this isn't an Aura thread and I know this is negative(without provocation) but I can't stand the Aura design! I liked the look of the first design, which from what I understand was basically a miniature Freedom Tower but didn't like that it was basically a miniature Freedom Tower. This is not meant to provoke,really.

the design of Aura has always been the same. We've seen many renderings from different, exagerated angles that make it deceiving - but again, the structure has always been the same.

maybe where you're getting the freedom tower idea, is that the ground zero site was to include numerous office towers. Libeskind had loose designs for all of them, and Aura happens to look nearly identical to just one of them. The big difference, is that Aura is a residential structure, so they added balconies all around the tower. I think they were beyond tastefully done - they're down right sexy to me. it is a matter of taste, but i think Aura will be the most stunning tower on Cap Mall.

The Towers chose a more subtle route. there are many intricate details that really make it interesting to look at over and over. There must be a healthy balance of attractive detailing, and subdued elegance to a structure of that size and prominance. To make it too outlandish would be wrong for the overall look of the city. Remember that it will be 200 feet taller than any other tower downtown AND there is two of them. I've always found that the Towers echo the look of Tower Bridge down the street. I think the design is outstanding overall.

Epic has me a little worried though. It's a very large tower, with a very "unique" design that doesn't really fit in well with its surroundings. I don't oppose of Epic's design by any means - i just have a hard time visualizing it built. Whereas I think the Towers will fit like a glove, and Aura will contrast nicely with the city.

[TowerDistrict]

i'd also like to add that sacramento has always had a very eclectic skyline to me. probably due to the fact that this city didn't see the office boom of the 70's and 80's like SF did. Which produced all the perfectly extruded rectangle towers that make for a uniform skyline.

[bennywah]

I remember years ago on a train trip going cross country, coming back into sacramento the skyline was highlighted for its variation in design and newness of towers, which though lacking some height, still have some cool distinct designs which is why I think aura will fit in fine and become an instant landmark to the city much like the grand scale of the towers will, kinda like sears tower, and john hancock in chicago, kinda like looking at a mercedes and a bmw classic elegance vs modern extreme!!