[urban_encounter]

500 Capitol Mall
25 story office tower
467,942 sf office
27,124 sf retail
Developer: Tskakopoulos Investments
Architect: Ed Kado
Location: 5th & Capitol Mall
Status: U/C
Estimated Completion: 2008
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/d3slided2-8511.jpg


Tsakopoulos Investments, which includes Angelo G. and his father, George Tsakopoulos are developing this 25-story granite and glass office tower at 500 Capitol Mall. When complete it will be topped with a two-story triangular glass penthouse. The $115 million project, being built on spec, is mostly privately financed, along with supplemental financing from San Francisco-based Bank of the West. The Tower will be known as Bank of the West Tower.

[foxmtbr]

I can't wait to see this go up!

[urban_encounter]

I can't wait to see this go up!

Conceivably should all four projects (Aura, U.S. Bank Tower, "The Towers" and 500 CM) be under construction at the same time, (as they should be) you'll have 5 cranes within 3 blocks of each other. Should be an exciting year there...


Given the level of activity underway, Capitol Mall will finally be a showcase for California and Sacramento.

[Jay916]

Great looking building, CM will looks awesome after all these project get done!

[friedpez]

It'll definitely add to the "So-Cap" highrise cluster.. Can't wait to see this one go up (hopefully)!

[innov8]

An article from back in March.

http://img346.imageshack.us/img346/1456/500cmarticlesm8je.jpg

[innov8]

These were taken fall of last year of the current bulding
that is slated for demolition.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1625/500cmdemo25xb.jpg

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3334/500cmdemo3mx.jpg

[foxmtbr]

I still think it looks like a TV. :jester:

[aufbau]

^^^My God, I was just about to post the same comment! Just add some rabbit ears and we're set, who needs a beautiful new skyscraper anyways?:haha:

[innov8]

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7687/500cm27aw.jpg


http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4342/500cm19tv.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

Decent design, but that side elevation really shows off the mediocrity of the project. Fat and stubby like the Sacramento buildings of old. I was hoping we had moved on, but it looks like we'll get at least one more fatty.

[fflint]

When I was living in Sacramento the state was retrofitting the building currently on the site of this proposed tower. I believe it was part of the
Eduacation Department? Anyway, I remember at the time several people--including myself--questioned the wisdom of pouring money into a building long-rumored to be replaced by a skyscraper.

[sugit]

The only building that is part of the new tower and is getting demolished is the one on the corner. It was the former Wells Fargo Building. (someone correct me if I am wrong)

I pretty sure the former Education Department you are referring to is the cream colored building next door that is a floor or two taller, which was indeed renovated.

[POGO]

The only building that is part of the new tower and is getting demolished is the one on the corner. It was the former Wells Fargo Building. (someone correct me if I am wrong)

I pretty sure the former Education Department you are referring to is the cream colored building next door that is a floor or two taller, which was indeed renovated.

Actually, I think the cream colored building is known as the IBM building. It was sold by IBM and purchased by the Sac City School District for approximately $8 million and at the time were accused of wasting taxpayer money to buy themselves a Taj Majal.

[sugit]

Thanks POGO...

[Pistola916]

What's the proposed height of this building?

[innov8]

What's the proposed height of this building?

398 ft.

[Sacto]

Decent design, but that side elevation really shows off the mediocrity of the project. Fat and stubby like the Sacramento buildings of old. I was hoping we had moved on, but it looks like we'll get at least one more fatty.

I agree with that. But this is better than nothing.

[urban_encounter]

Actually, I think the cream colored building is known as the IBM building. It was sold by IBM and purchased by the Sac City School District for approximately $8 million and at the time were accused of wasting taxpayer money to buy themselves a Taj Majal.


Your correct Pogo.

Actually the State Office complex, doesn't extend past 7th street on CM (thankfully for Sacramento).


The building being replaced by 500 CM (as Costa already pointed out) is the Old Wells Fargo (which closed) when the Wells Fargo Center opened. I'm not certain if it served as anything else prior to Wells Fargo.


BTW thanks Mike for the pictures of the site and the design breakdown.

[What is a Rivercat?]

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3334/500cmdemo3mx.jpg[/QUOTE]

reminds me of this, for some reason

http://www.cswu.cz/characters/imperial/avarik.jpg

[innov8]

All fenced off...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/th_100_4944.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/?action=view&current=100_4944.flv)

I took this quick video yesterday on my way home from work... you can
hear the pile driver from the Towers site just up the street in the background.

[friedpez]

^ It's a good thing you explained the pile drivers, otherwise someone from the outside may have thought Sacramento has a very high crime rate! ;)

[northbay]

Decent design, but that side elevation really shows off the mediocrity of the project. Fat and stubby like the Sacramento buildings of old. I was hoping we had moved on, but it looks like we'll get at least one more fatty.

yea. it isnt perfect, but at least its not the parthenon.

my biggest issue is how the parking garage (which they make little attempt to hide or enhance) seems to take up so much of the building. if the building was taller maybe the proportions would be better.

[foxmtbr]

^ It's a good thing you explained the pile drivers, otherwise someone from the outside may have thought Sacramento has a very high crime rate! ;)
Yes, gunshots every 2 seconds! :haha:

[urban_encounter]

All fenced off...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/th_100_4944.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/?action=view&current=100_4944.flv)

I took this quick video yesterday on my way home from work... you can
hear the pile driver from the Towers site just up the street in the background.


Mike, will Two Rivers be doing the demolition on this building as well??

[innov8]

Mike, will Two Rivers be doing the demolition on this building as well??

Nothings been posted at the site yet... and the people setting up the fence
act like they don't know anything either :shrug:

[innov8]

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6774/dsc00950001500cm92006zs2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[urban_encounter]

:previous:


Capitol Mall is just on an incredible roll right now and will be for the next couple of years..


BTW will you by chance be venturing over to the CalSTRS site for pics???

:D

[innov8]

500 Capitol Mall may go to hearings by the end of the year.

[brandon12]

^are they just gonna keep it fenced off until then, or might they start demolition in the mean time.

[innov8]

Demolition of the old Wells Fargo Building will begin shortly.
I believe it's understood that the new tower will
sail through the committees and boards with the new design.

[urban_encounter]

Demolition of the old Wells Fargo Building will begin shortly.
I believe it's understood that the new tower will
sail through the committees and boards with the new design.


Mike do you mean it will go back to the DR&P Board or the Planning Commission at the end of the year?

I had attended the first DR&P board meeting when the new proposal was unveiled and it was received very well by the board at that time.

The board's main concern was the Pedestrian Plaza out front and a few minor details that really didn't involve the buildings appearance. They wanted to ensure that the building incuded Capitol Mall facing restaurants.

Tsakoupolis wont have any problems this time around having scapped the 'Parthenon'.

[innov8]

Mike do you mean it will go back to the DR&P Board or the Planning Commission at the end of the year?

I had attended the first DR&P board meeting when the new proposal was unveiled and it was received very well by the board at that time.

The board's main concern was the Pedestrian Plaza out front and a few minor details that really didn't involve the buildings appearance. They wanted to ensure that the building incuded Capitol Mall facing restaurants.

Tsakoupolis wont have any problems this time around having scapped the 'Parthenon'.

I believe they still need to approve the new design. Before they can start
to demo the old building, it looks like they are going to be salvaging the
reddish marble from the exterior and other parts that look to have some value.
I would imagine demo won't happen for a month or longer while they are doing this.

[aufbau]

I was downtown today and happened to have my camera(!). The following two (blurry) photos show the installation of the covered pedestrian tunnels.

In the shadow of 555 (I was taking pictures of the 621 progress, but it was so dark, they turned out awful):
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n53/erikhmb/Blurry.jpg

From N Street with Capital Plaza in the background:
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n53/erikhmb/Capital_Plaza.jpg

An aside: what are they doing to Capital Plaza? renovation?

EDIT: Capital Square not "Plaza", oops

[foxmtbr]

You can see where they have removed the valuable marble from the base. And I don't know what they're doing to Capitol Plaza.. :shrug:

Thanks for the pics! :)

[SacTownAndy]

^ They're reinforcing the windows in Capitol Square. The building is having an issue with windows warping and sometimes falling out to the street below in the summer heat.

[innov8]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMallcoverrendering.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMall1rendering.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMall2rendering.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMall3rendering.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMall4rendering.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CapitolMall5rendering.jpg

[foxmtbr]

Wow!!! Thanks a million innov8! :)

[aufbau]

Lots of glass coming to capital mall, thank you innov8. It looks very flashy with the colors in the rendering but it's fortunate the more staid colors of 621 and the towers will dampen it's impact...the design is okay, i'm more excited about its potential to finally solidify a respectable high rise cluster along capital mall.

[friedpez]

I think it looks good and will definitely complement its "Emerald City" friend over at 300 CM

[urban_encounter]

The West end of Capitol Mall is really going through an incredible transformation. I like how 500 CM compliments WFC and the "Emerald City"..

[Sacto]

Thanks for posting those, Innov8. Only if it were be a little taller it would look so much better.

[ltsmotorsport]

The West end of Capitol Mall is really going through an incredible transformation. I like how 500 CM compliments WFC and the "Emerald City"..
Yeah; it'll turn into a very nice cluster when all 5 towers are finsished.

[kenratboy]

Wow, looking really good!

Yet another large building. Sac is going to have one hell of a skyline soon.

[innov8]

Project Components

The proposed project would result in the construction and operation of a 25-story retail and office
building with ground-floor retail uses in a built-up portion of Downtown Sacramento. The upper
penthouse floor would be designated for restaurant use. The pedestrian entrance to the
building would be located on Capitol Mall.

The proposed project would include concrete foundations and floors, steel columns and beams, and
metal decks. The exterior stone would be granite. The horizontal and vertical panels of granite
would be predominately beige with streaks of brown and black mottling. The intersection of the
horizontal and vertical panels would be accented with rusty red granite with black speckles. The
window frames would be aluminum in aluminum color finish. Two different types of glass would be
used on the building: spandrel glass, which is used to conceal materials and construction elements
from the exterior, and view glass, which would be a ¼-inch, light-blue-tinted, dual-pane insulated
assembly.

Existing trees on the project site would be removed to accommodate the project. Landscape
features would consist of 48-inch boxed Maidenhair trees along N Street and 5th Street and 36-inch
boxed Littleleaf Linden trees along Capitol Mall. The trees would be planted in planter strips along
all street frontages (excluding crosswalks, driveways, bus stops, and drop-off areas). The planter
strips would also be planted with shrubs and ground cover. The ground surface area between the
edge of the planter and the building and the ground area between the ends of the planters would be
paved with granite pavers with a coarse surface finish. The granite pavers would be in two colors,
creating a ribbon pattern that aligns with the base columns of the building. In addition to the shading
from the new trees, there would be canopies that extend out from the building.

Soffit lights under each canopy would illuminate the ground level around the building. Some
spotlights located atop the fourth floor roof would illuminate the face of the building along Capitol
Mall. Continuous strips of LED lights would be located along the tops of each step in the building
façade. A “500 Capitol Mall” sign with backlit chrome or polished-brass characters may be located
either on the Capitol Mall building frontage (i.e., the north elevation) or on a monument sign
(separated from the building) that would be visible from east- and west-bound Capitol Mall. There
would also be street-level signage identifying the various retail users. All signage would be required
to comply with the regulations set forth in the Sacramento Municipal Code (section 15.148 (Signs)).
The building would be approximately 94 feet from the center line of Capitol Mall. The lower tower
would be approximately 140 feet from the center line, whereas the upper tower would be
approximately 145 feet from the Capitol Mall center line. The side street setback would be 14 feet.

[aufbau]

It looks like it will have an attractive street presence. I still need to get used to the design, but the proposed restaurant at the top wins points from me. It would be the first restaurant in the upper floors of a high-rise in Sac?

[AK47KC]

It's good that Sacramento is undergoing Manhattanization.

[urban_encounter]

It looks like it will have an attractive street presence. I still need to get used to the design, but the proposed restaurant at the top wins points from me. It would be the first restaurant in the upper floors of a high-rise in Sac?


The Hyatt Regency used to operate Dawsons, and The Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn used to operate John Q's. Both converted those restaurants into private meeting places.

[innov8]

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2830/500cm10192006fmo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Picking it apart

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9057/500cm210192006fyh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
621 Capitol Mall just down the street.

[kenratboy]

These are good times for Sacramento.

[Sacto]

Things are really moving along at CM.

[innov8]

500 Capitol Mall - Demo time in a few more weeks.

http://img424.imageshack.us/img424/3613/500cm11122006faz6.jpg

http://img424.imageshack.us/img424/5946/500cm21122006fsf8.jpg

[urban_encounter]

Let's hope that after demolition, that construction starts by the Spring or Summer. Since this tower is being built on spec, they wont be forced into waiting for a large tenant to sign a lease before starting construction (like 621 CM did).

It's exciting to see all of the activity taking off on the west end of Capitol Mall.

[Nawlijispower]

Does anybody know what type of demo they are doin on this building. Ive been asking all the guys that work for Rudolph and Sletton at other construction sites and none of them know. Can anyone help me?:shrug:

[buckfmsac]

Let's hope that after demolition, that construction starts by the Spring or Summer. Since this tower is being built on spec, they wont be forced into waiting for a large tenant to sign a lease before starting construction (like 621 CM did).

It's exciting to see all of the activity taking off on the west end of Capitol Mall.
What does "being built on spec" mean?:???:

[joninsac]

spec = speculation

Means that it's being built without being preleased first. The developer is "speculating" that the office market will be strong enough to lease the office space after it's built.

[buckfmsac]

great, will make an annotation of that. thanks

[Sacto]

spec = speculation

Means that it's being built without being preleased first. The developer is "speculating" that the office market will be strong enough to lease the office space after it's built.

That's sorta risky...

[friedpez]

The "Discovery Center" (or something like that) office building up on Richards was, too, built on spec, but it is mostly vacant. However, given 500 CM's location, I think it'll do much better. Plus, I'm looking forward to the restaurant on the top floor!

[urban_encounter]

The Tsakoupolis family is financing the building mostly with their own money with a small contribution (as I recall) from San Francisco based bank of the West.

The building will probably include banking interests and lobbyists for tenants.

[foxmtbr]

Plus, I'm looking forward to the restaurant on the top floor! Certainly a future meat...

[innov8]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6544/500cm112006fvb1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4726/500cm2112006fgc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[foxmtbr]

Wow, they certainly aren't wasting any time getting down to business!

[innov8]

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2411/500cm111212006fte7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/8247/500cm211212006ftj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ltsmotorsport]

Such a beautiful sight.

[foxmtbr]

Yes, it brings a tear to the eye. :)

[Sacto]

What sould have happend 10 years ago is finally coming to reality even though there's more that's due to come.

[snfenoc]

I hope that building to the left is next.

[ltsmotorsport]

The TV is coming down!
http://static.flickr.com/102/306852127_4fff120107_b.jpg

You can see through it.
http://static.flickr.com/114/306852131_8f3ffc348c_b.jpg

[innov8]

Demo has started on it's back side.

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/7497/500cm21212006fph4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4140/500cm31212006fwz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2725/500cm11212006frs3.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

I can't wait for this nice little cluster to be completed. Thanks for the shots, Mike.

[urban_encounter]

I can't wait for this nice little cluster to be completed. Thanks for the shots, Mike.


Yeah and that end of Capitol Mall is the best place in DT Sacramento for a cluster of highrises. Can't wait to see it in a couple of years.

[Sacto]

Man, CM is a huge mess right now...in a good way. Thanks for the pics!

[innov8]

Taken from the 25th floor of the US Bank Tower.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/skyline12-10-2006ff.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500cm1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500cm312-10-2006f.jpg

[aufbau]

Man, CM is a huge mess right now...in a good way. Thanks for the pics!

Yeah, much of downtown/midtown seems like a huge jumble of destruction/construction. Capital Mall and in the Sutter expansion area. I love it.

[innov8]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/HDRF500cm12-19-2006f.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/HDRF500cm212-19-2006f.jpg

[enigma99a]

^ That's one building I'm not sad to see torn down.

[aufbau]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/HDRF500cm212-19-2006f.jpg

Wow, this is the Sacramento bland architecture hall of fame shot. Wouldn't mind to see most of these go, if only repalced with something more inspired. Glad to see one of them is going down quickly:yes:

[brandon12]

^that's funny!
you could say the same about the view down capitol mall from 5th street looking east as well...

[WonderlandPark]

Wow, this is the Sacramento bland architecture hall of fame shot. Wouldn't mind to see most of these go, if only repalced with something more inspired. Glad to see one of them is going down quickly:yes:

LOL, every one of those can go IMO.

[urban_encounter]

Wow, this is the Sacramento bland architecture hall of fame shot. Wouldn't mind to see most of these go, if only repalced with something more inspired. Glad to see one of them is going down quickly:yes:


I'm actually liking the new facade for the Old Federal Building. Now if they could only do something about the mechanical equipment on their roof.

It will look good once 601, 621, 500 and 301 CM are complete in a couple of years.... Then it will all come together and Sacramento (and California) will have a beautiful Capital Mall worthy of that State. I can't wait to see it.

Of course nothing will help the 7, 8, and 9 blocks of Capital Mall. Not until the State decides to bulldoze their buildings and start anew. Something not likely to happen anytime soon.

[innov8]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CM112-29-2006f.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CM212-29-2006f.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/500CM312-29-2006f.jpg

[aufbau]

Interesting shots. I find this deconstructing process so fascinating. It's so slow and deliberate and for such a small building I could only imagine how long it takes for much larger structures.

Would anybody know if they recycle the iron and other materials taken down in this building to be reused elsewhere? It seems like a logical thing to do with commodity prices being so high.

[tuy]

Probably don't have to worry about the copper. Vandals have probably already ripped it out.

[TheDerek]

http://www.awbots.com/img/sacbuild/69.jpg

http://www.awbots.com/img/sacbuild/70.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

I have a couple pictures from last Friday when the wrecking ball first started, but keep forgetting to take them off my camera. I'll get them up soon.

Great pics, Derek.

[ltsmotorsport]

Well, here they are. Not much, but the wrecking ball was sure making some noise hitting those concrete panels.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/347358295_84998ee120_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/347358298_02a7810f5c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/347358299_d63b3fcca9_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/347358300_ec67e5249b_b.jpg

[kenratboy]

I have never seen a wrecking ball in action, I would have really enjoyed that - as a matter of fact, I could have stood there for an hour...just watching.

[foxmtbr]

I saw a wrecking ball once, over by Sunrise mall, whatever was there before the Target (I forget what it was). They knocked it down with one, it was pretty cool. Great pics BTW!

[foxmtbr]

Also, a question for the mods here, how does this qualify as construction? Shouldn't this still be in the Proposals section? Oh well :shrug:

[TheDerek]

Also, a question for the mods here, how does this qualify as construction? Shouldn't this still be in the Proposals section? Oh well :shrug:


because as soon as that building is knocked down a new one is going up :D

i read somewhere earlier that the building is being built on speculation, thus speeding up the process (and putting more risk on behalf of the builders)

[TheDerek]

http://www.awbots.com/img/sacbuild/170.jpg

not bad progress eh? this was taken thursday

[foxmtbr]

Wow! They're almost done! And yes, I also heard it is being built on speculation.

[Sacto]

Thanks for the pics. I love to see those suckers go down like that!

[innov8]

Also, a question for the mods here, how does this qualify as construction? Shouldn't this still be in the Proposals section? Oh well :shrug:

This towers a shoe-in to get approval with the Planning
Commission on January 11th and it has already been
approved by the Design Review and Preservation Board to
build back in December. Only the weather can stand
in the way of this building getting built now.

But yeah, technically it's not under construction yet.

[Web]

I saw a wrecking ball once, over by Sunrise mall, whatever was there before the Target (I forget what it was). They knocked it down with one, it was pretty cool. Great pics BTW!


Was this the Wards automotive center or did they tear down the Wards and build Lowesfrom scratch??

[foxmtbr]

^ Yes, I seem to remember that they tore down the Wards and built the Lowes from scratch.

[innov8]

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/2020/dsc00560001500cm1182007id4.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7439/dsc00570001500cm2182007ac0.jpg

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6238/dsc00580001500cm3182007dp4.jpg
final days

[ltsmotorsport]

It's almost totally on the ground. The wrecking ball really gets things moving.

[TheDerek]

It's almost totally on the ground. The wrecking ball really gets things moving.


*ahem* What do you mean "almost"

http://www.awbots.com/img/sacbuild/295-2.jpg

sorry for sucky pic. It was dark and i was hand holding... Plus it looked a lot brighter on my lcd than when i opened it up on the comp (but the lights in the tower on the right kinda look cool, ahhh neverind)