[SacTownAndy]

After about two years of waiting and watching, the good news finally came today:


Construction to begin on downtown high-rise (http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/13534093p-14374517c.html)

By Jon Ortiz -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:43 pm PDT Thursday, September 8, 2005


Construction crews will break ground in two weeks on Downtown Sacramento's first high-end office project in more than a decade, said developer David S. Taylor.

The project, dubbed Six Twenty-One Capitol Mall for its location just three blocks from the state Capitol, will be a 25-story steel-and-glass tower and should be completed in about 2 years.

Downey Brand LLC, one of the region's biggest law firms, has signed a lease to move from its current offices at 555 Capitol Mall into Taylor's high-rise in 2008. Two other firms, whom Taylor declined to name Thursday, also have signed contracts. That would bring the total preleased space to about 35 percent of the building's rentable 366,000 square footage.

The site of the building is a vacant half-block parcel known as Lot A, bordered by 7th Street on the east, L Street on the north, Capitol Mall on the south and another city-owned parcel on the west.

"It's the last undeveloped block in the downtown area," said Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. "We'll definitely see momentum from this project spin into more development in the area."

Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum of San Francisco are the buildiing architects. Hensel Phelps Construction Co., based in Greeley, Colo., is the general contractor.


http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/7356/62142wn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4882/62123aa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SacTownAndy]

Official building website: http://www.621capitolmall.com/main.html

There's a pretty cool promo video on the website also for anyone who's interested.

[CTroyMathis]

Glad to see this one coming to fruition finally. Good stuff.

[ltsmotorsport]

Finally is right. There was such a lag from when it was approved (last summer) until this announcement, that it was figured to be dead.

[urban_encounter]

The illumination at night is going to be awesome.
The top will roll through over 200 different colored lights schemes.

[tuy]

The Sacramento Skyline Transformation has begun.

[enigma99a]

The lot in the render is actually a project breaking ground at the same time.

http://www.hok.com/news/NewsArticles/images/18/Origin/TOWER_MID-01.jpg

[fflint]

How tall will it be, again?

[ltsmotorsport]

Last that was hear was "around 400 feet", so it's almost anyone's guess, until something else comes out. Kinda strange if you ask me.

[urban_encounter]

Last that was hear was "around 400 feet", so it's almost anyone's guess, until something else comes out. Kinda strange if you ask me.

What does the EIR say the height is?

I think with the roof that it's equivelent to a 29 or 30 story building.

[innov8]

In the EIR it says "the phase I (612CM) of the office building
will be 25 floors Class A office tower, 400 feet to the top
of the architectural element"

[Stephenapolis]

The illumination at night is going to be awesome.
The top will roll through over 200 different colored lights schemes.
That is really goon news. We have that at Target Plaza in Minneapolis. It is fun to watch.

[urban_encounter]

In the EIR it says "the phase I (612CM) of the office building
will be 25 floors Class A office tower, 400 feet to the top
of the architectural element"


How tall is Aura? In earlier renderings it shows Aura towering over 621.

[ltsmotorsport]

444 ft.

[urban_encounter]

The illumination at night is going to be awesome.
The top will roll through over 200 different colored lights schemes.
That is really goon news. We have that at Target Plaza in Minneapolis. It is fun to watch.

Stephenapolis, you wouldn't happen to have any pictures of the Target Palza at night would you? I'm curious to see how it might look.

[innov8]

In the next few days, I'll get over to the site to get some shots
before the parking lot turns to dirt.

[urban_encounter]

In the next few days, I'll get over to the site to get some shots
before the parking lot turns to dirt.


Have they closed off the surface parking lot yet?


I'm curious if there going to excavate the whole block since Aura will be going up soon after 621.

[innov8]

^ Nope... not yet. As of today cars are still parking in the lot.

[ltsmotorsport]

Well, it's almost been a week since we got the 2 weeks notice, so something will have to be done soon.

[enigma99a]

Dammit, get those cars out of there. And I noticed some stay overnight. So it might take a few days ? I'll get the tow trucks and fence ready.

[innov8]

You two sound like Majin:rolleyes: :haha:

[ltsmotorsport]

Well, if I wasn't 300 miles away, I'd certainly help.;)

[tuy]

If you guys all show up, you will know which one is Majin. He will be the one with the Chainsaw, cutting down all the trees around the edge of the lot.

[ltsmotorsport]

:haha:

[cascraperdude]

^^^

I picture him driving a Bobcat.

[Majin]

LOL, how did I miss this thread.

[ltsmotorsport]

Slacker.

[urban_encounter]

LOL, how did I miss this thread.


Because you can't see the forest for the trees.


;)

[innov8]

This is the parking lot that both 621 CM and the Aura Condo Tower will rise

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7827/601cm7vl.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5024/601cm23ut.jpg (http://imageshackus)

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3641/601cm39cb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4299/601cm43yb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/262/601cm57bt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3613/601cm67fu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is looking noth west on Capitol Mall. To the left down toward
the Tower Bridge The Towers on Capitol Mall will rise, two 53 story
condo towers.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4871/601cm73ay.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1281/301cmcrop8mo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This last close-up is on the spray painted squares that are sprayed
all over the ground where the Aura Condo tower will rise, I think
they show where the major foundation support will be placed but
it's any ones guess?

[enigma99a]

Why are those cars still there? Ugh. Why not fence in the lot yet

Also, we'll need a seperate thread for Aura:)

[cascraperdude]

I can see it by Monday if there ain't enough activity:

"Majin's Used Car Lot: EVERYTHING Must Go!"

[tuy]

All the people that normally park there will need to find a new place to park.

Progress can be so inconvenient to some.

I am looking forward to seeing pictures of the site prep.

[ltsmotorsport]

Let's hope there are a lot more "inconveniences" to come.:yes:

[kazpmk]

it's been 2 weeks now since the announcement. Is the site active yet???

[innov8]

^ I'll take some pics when the dirt starts to move.

[urban_encounter]

it's been 2 weeks now since the announcement. Is the site active yet???


No, (except for them marking off the site of Aura and 621 with cans of paint) but with this project two weeks probably translates into two months.

[innov8]

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9366/621aura9oq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nothing new to report... it would be nice if they would just clear the parking lot so it looked like something was going to happen.

[innov8]

Here's the Aura model "AT NIGHT "

This condo tower will be built on the same block as the 621 tower hopefully at the same time.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/Auranight.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/Auranight2.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/Auranight3.jpg

[enigma99a]

Shouldn't Aura have a seperate thread;)?

[urban_encounter]

It will...


October 13th final approval date...............:D

[ltsmotorsport]

So since Aura is approved now, who want's to guess when Lot A will start going?

[innov8]

Count me... I say 3 to 4 weeks... that's when I say the parking lot
will be getting riped out.

[GrowinUp]

So is this a 621 or an Aura thread??? Looks like both

[ltsmotorsport]

Officially, it's the 621 thread, but since they're on the same block, and practically joined at the hip, they both get talked about.

[innov8]

Yep... joined at the hip.

But here's the AURA thread that was started last week.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=90073&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[ICSACON99]

:uhh: No one so far has been able to conferm wether the advertisement like handouts regarding 621 that were offered out the night Aura was approved were acurate. They state 621 is 29 stories now...but that can't be, or the entire Nassi/Taylor project site would have to be put on hold for redesign review ?? right?:help:

[innov8]

Well, when urban and I were at the AURA approval meeting last
week Taylors group spoke first and talked about the phases of
lot A and that 621CM would be 25 storys tall (400ft)
standing next to AURA at 441ft.

Do I have that right urban_encounter?

[urban_encounter]

Well, when urban and I were at the AURA approval meeting last
week Taylors group spoke first and talked about the phases of
lot A and that 621CM would be 25 storys tall (400ft)
standing next to AURA at 441ft.

Do I have that right urban_encounter?


I don't think it was Taylor's team was it? I think it was city stafff that spoke.

[innov8]

Oh, that's right... you got it :yes:

[ltsmotorsport]

So there is still the chance that it is now 29 stories. Hmmmmm.

[innov8]

I doubt it... 25 storys and 400' is about right.

[skyscaper mamma]

I think the building is 25 stories with the hood ornament about 3 stories

[urban_encounter]

Construction has officially begun.... Crews are currently in the process of
"de-watering" the site (or removing excess groundwater). Excavation is set to begin by mid February


621 Capitol Mall
25 story 366,291sf Office Building 400'
www.621capitolmall.com
http://img134.exs.cx/img134/9231/621capnighttime7tq.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/14.jpg


http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4882/62123aa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


The following three photos are courtesy of Sacramento Executive
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/DSCN147420202830020x2022529.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/DSCN1477202830020x2022529.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/DSCN1478202830020x2022529.jpg

[enigma99a]

Thanks for the update, UE

[kazpmk]

great news

[KingKrunch]

I really like that design :)

[urban_encounter]

I really like that design :)


Well the last design was a little more slender and taller, with a more crisp design (imho). However i think the sqaut look of the tower will be offset at night when the crown is illuminated. The top is designed to roll through every imaginable color scheme. Now if the future tenants in Aura don't complain and if we could just get some of the other buildings DT to stop being miserly and start illuminating their towers again at night (EPA, Federal Courthouse, Ziggaraut,) the skyline would look absolutely stunning at night.

Anyway it's good news for DT..:D

[urban_encounter]

Here's what we could have had (1st Design)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/urban_encounter/621CapitalMall.jpg

Here's what we're getting (Final Design)
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4882/62123aa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[enigma99a]

The original design was nice, but if they didn't go to the current design, we wouldn't have a 39 story signature building rising next to it.

[colemonkee]

This is great news for Sactown. How long have you guys been waiting for this one to start?

[enigma99a]

This is great news for Sactown. How long have you guys been waiting for this one to start?

This is one tower we all laugh about because it has taken so long. I'd say 4 years.

[urban_encounter]

This is great news for Sactown. How long have you guys been waiting for this one to start?



20 years... (well it seems like it)

[innov8]

621 Capitol Mall today.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/621.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/621-2.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/mz1613/621-3.jpg

[innov8]

Hey... I posted todays pics on the thread SacTownAndy started...why did you make another thead???

[urban_encounter]

Hey... I posted todays pics on the thread SacTownAndy started...why did you make another thead???


Because

I couldn't find the other one and I didn't know if it even still existed.

You can ask the moderators to delete one or the other, but they would probably need move the replies that people have posted.


Didn't you see this thread before you went to dig up the old one??

:shrug:

;)

[innov8]

Sorry Urban E. :(

I must have over looked it when I was searching for the thread.

[urban_encounter]

Sorry Urban E. :(

I must have over looked it when I was searching for the thread.


No problem, it was my mistake. I wish I could have found Andy's thread lastnight. I knew that we had one, but I could only find the Aura thread and the "Towers" thread. I started thinking that maybe it was lost during the forum upgrade.

Sorry about starting a new one.

[urban_encounter]

http://www.hok.com/news/NewsArticles/images/18/Origin/TOWER_MID-01.jpg
Photo courtesy of Enigma.....

[urban_encounter]

:previous: :previous: :previous: :previous:
For those who haven't followed this project and for reference, "Aura" condo tower will be going up in the vacant lot to left of 621 as pictured above. (39 stories 440'). Excavation of the entire lot should begin by mid February after "de wetting" of the lot which is currently underway.

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

Here's the link for this tower....
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=90073

[Jasonhouse]

After recently learning in another thread that Sactown didn't get its first 20+ story building until 1989, I'm doubly impressed any time I hear about a highrise going up.

This is a nice looking tower, but the adjacent surface parking has got to go.

[KevinFromTexas]

I like it. So the original version was basically the same just taller? It's still nice.

[enigma99a]

After recently learning in another thread that Sactown didn't get its first 20+ story building until 1989, I'm doubly impressed any time I hear about a highrise going up.

This is a nice looking tower, but the adjacent surface parking has got to go.

There won't be any parking lot. Aura will be under construction shortly:) You can see both Aura and 621 Capitol Mall in this render. http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2020/temp6sd.jpg

[urban_encounter]

After recently learning in another thread that Sactown didn't get its first 20+ story building until 1989, I'm doubly impressed any time I hear about a highrise going up.

This is a nice looking tower, but the adjacent surface parking has got to go.



Yeah the tallest building in Sacramento up until 1989, was the West America Bank (which I believe is 18 or 19 stories). The Renaissance Tower was built in 1989 and is 28 stories. There was a building boom in the 90s and Sacramento's is just starting to open the door to a larger more ambitious building boom, that should raise the elevation and density of the downtown area significantly. (Or that's the hope at least)...:)

[urban_encounter]

I like it. So the original version was basically the same just taller? It's still nice.



The facade is slightly less reflective, due to concerns from the various planning agencies that it would cause too much of a glare. Notice the front facade, the glass stops well short of the top, giving way to the screen and landscape lighting. The first design was a couple of stories taller as you pointed out


But the final design should work o.k.

[ltsmotorsport]

Like others said Jason, the surface lot is where Aura is going.


And thanks for the thread combination.

[urban_encounter]

Jason, or another mod, can we combine the two threads on this project?;)

Thanks.



He did.

Thanks Jason........:)


:cheers:

[innov8]

Six Twenty One Capitol Mall is ready to get serious :banana:

http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/7023/621cm1066tx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/8513/621cm21065is.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/5188/621cm31069hq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)[/

[ltsmotorsport]

After how many decades of that lot being empty?


Man that's good to see.

[bennywah]

by the looks of it, Aura isnt playing around either, cm is going to start looking like downtown san diego soon!!

[urban_encounter]

Six Twenty One Capitol Mall is ready to get serious :banana:

http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/7023/621cm1066tx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice shot of the RT Train, not to mention the faint sight of a crane further up L street....:D

Perfect place for high density housing. Ironic that Epic will also sit adjacent an RT stop.....


BTW I hope that they excavate the entire site at the same time, so that they can save time when Aura is ready to go.


Although as I understood it reading in the Sacramento Executive, they aren't going to start excavation until Mid February.

[GrowinUp]

^ Well, the fence only goes around 621, suggesting that excavation will be there only, at this time. However, I'm surprised they didn't allow cars to go ahead and continue parking at 601 for the time being. One can assume 601 must be too close behind to make that feasable.

[ltsmotorsport]

One would have to assume.:tup:

[innov8]

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/881/621cmps7ka.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/9940/621cmpiles2jp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
They only have two piles at the 621CM site today, I imagine these are to test
the ground. They are marked by ten foot sections and are a total of 40ft. long.

[tuy]

Good to see a crane on site. I am surprised that a crane showed up at the towers first though.

[urban_encounter]

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/881/621cmps7ka.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/9940/621cmpiles2jp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
They only have two piles at the 621CM site today, I imagine these are to test
the ground. They are marked by ten foot sections and are a total of 40ft. long.



sweet!!!

[GrowinUp]

Good to see a crane on site. I am surprised that a crane showed up at the towers first though.

It just goes to show you. Ya never know what's going on behind the scenes.

[GrowinUp]

Hey Mike, did you purposely wait til a train stopped before taking the pic??? Just curious.

[ltsmotorsport]

Yeah, catching the LRT in the shots is sweet.

[innov8]

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/2874/621cmfoundation22mw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

They started test drives at 621CM today :cheers:

[GrowinUp]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/100_0758.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/100_0756.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/100_0746.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/100_0744.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/HighInTheSky/100_0743.jpg

[urban_encounter]

:previous:


Just keep 'em coming.

The makings of a new skyline..........:D


:cheers:

[Sacto]

:previous::previous::previous::previous:

:banana::upload_71700::banana:

Thanks for going out there and taking those shots!!!

[urban_encounter]

Hey UE, did you purposely wait til a train stopped before taking the pic??? Just curious.


That was Mike's picture.

But it did look sweet with the train sitting there.

[GrowinUp]

That was Mike's picture.

But it did look sweet with the train sitting there.

Ya, I changed it but obviously not in time!

[ltsmotorsport]

It's such a relief to see that empty lot finally leaving town.

[skyscaper mamma]

They're starting the pile driving now. WOOOOOOEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[urban_encounter]

It's such a relief to see that empty lot finally leaving town.



No kidding. That was the largest vacant lot in the CBD.
On to the Rail Yards)......:yes:

[innov8]

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6006/621cm2061pf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1739/621cm22067mq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[colemonkee]

So are these test piles or actual piles?

[innov8]

They are tests... I think they will be doing this for a month or so. They started last week.