Saundra King has a view of Chukchansi Park from her loft at 1060 Fulton St. in the old Security Bank Building on the Fulton Mall. The building will feature 16 such lofts, along with three penthouses on the top two floors. Photo: Perry Cooper
Movin' on up into downtown
Residential projects make way for downtown living.
by Famous Whitewater
July 5, 2007
July 5, 2007
Let's say it, like a mantra for downtown housing.
"If you build it, they will come. If you build it, they will come. If you build it..."
It's true, don't you know?
Saundra King has seen it firsthand.
Last Friday, people packed elevators to get a glimpse of the Lofts at 1060 Fulton, her project under way in the old Security Bank building. Guests chugged up 11 flights of stairs to see the luxury lofts with views of Chukchansi Park. King has already sold four of the 16 lofts and had another 30 sign up to receive more information.
Both of Reza Assemi's downtown residential projects (the Pearl Building on Fulton Street and the Vagabond Lofts, a few blocks over) are full and thriving.
That's a good sign for downtown development.
Another mantra Assemi spouts: "Retail follows rooftops."
As people move downtown, so will businesses, he says.
"I'm not in the restaurant business. But if I was, I wouldn't come down here."
Not yet, anyway.
But the signs are hopeful. Rumors and speculation have it that lofts could be planned for Hotel Fresno (just purchased by the same developer that's revamping the Hotel Virginia), the JC Penny Building and the old Black's Packing store on Inyo and Van Ness streets.
Famous looks at a few projects already in progress:
H Street Artist Lofts
Quick facts: Built on the site of the old Army Induction Center (and later H St. Studios), this project — from Assemi — features two floor plans for 26 residential rental units at H and Sacramento streets.
Timeline: Construction on the lofts has already begun, with two of the three buildings already framed. Assemi hopes to have people moving in by the end of the year.
The good: As an artist, Assemi put thought into every aspect of the building's design. Its features reflect the history of its location, with metal facades and exposed wood beams that replicate the feel of the railroad just across H Street. Inside, the lofts' windows continue the feeling of watching the passing trains, with one long, narrow window that perfectly frames the tracks. "This is exactly the reason for it," Assemi says, watching from the window as a train slowly drags by. This place just looks cool.
The bad:Living next to the tracks might not be for everyone.
Final thoughts: Having another 30 residents sharing common space with those already at the Vagabond Lofts will go a long way to increase the sense of community in the area.
The Lofts at 1060 Fulton
Quick facts: Located directly on the Fulton Mall, this project, in the Security Bank Building (which King has renamed 1060 Fulton St.) has been in the works for the better part of eight years. It will be built out in two phases, the first including 16 lofts (at 1,000 to 1,200 square feet) on floors 11 to 14.
Timeline: King hopes to have the first phase completed by the end of the year. The 11th floor should be done within the next two months.
The good:Luxury. Not just in the lofts — yes, there's those views of the ballpark, the spa-style showers and top-of-the-line cooktops — but throughout the building. That includes private underground parking, an upscale salon and deli on the second floor, the ballroom (with those beautifully high ceilings) and the vault room, which King plans to turn into a small-scale jazz club.
The bad:Luxury costs. That means the lofts are out of the price range for many of us. But they will appeal to those risk-takers with the money to spend. And we need that draw downtown. This is only part of the larger process, King says.
Final thoughts: Phase two of the project will convert the top two floors into ultra-swank penthouse lofts. The 15th floor will feature two of them, at 2,200 square-feet, with access to the building's outer railing (how f'in cool is that?). The 16th floor will have a single 5,000-square-foot penthouse loft. With a good pair of binoculars, one could get a close-up look at Running Horse Golf Course (hint-hint, wink-wink). It would be perfect for a certain billionaire in Fresno on business. Or maybe his apprentice. "Donald, do I have a penthouse for you," King says.
Fulton Plaza
Quick facts: Assemi's next project, the Fulton Plaza will build 80 residential units and 16,000 feet of commercial space on the vacant land bordered by Divisadero, Sacramento, Fulton and Broadway streets. It will include flats, lofts and row houses, interspersed with a public piazza and lots of green space.
Timeline: The project is out of site-plan review and Assemi will be submitting for permits in August. He hopes to be totally up and running by February 2008.
The good: Location, location, location. The Plaza will be in the heart of what is being billed as the Cultural Arts District, with museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and concert venues (Tokyo Garden, Rainbow Ballroom, Warnors Theater, The Star Palace) already within walking (OK, biking) distance.
The bad: At that, it will take awhile for this to be an established neighborhood, and simple amenities (a grocery or drug store) are still a car-ride away.
Final thoughts: Having row housing will add a needed sense of buy-in to the area, Assemi says, with residents committing to much more than a 1-year rental agreement. The plan calls for 16 row houses, each with three stories and attached garages.
I was one of the first to move into the Vagabond almost a year ago.
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Plagiarism?
I was at the candidates forum a few weeks back, & heard HT Perea take create for helping get Vagabond Lofts off the ground? is that true? did Reza really need Perea's help? I would think that the son of the "Granville Homes" owners would know how to get things done?
Re: Bike...
First off:
If you are getting a bike with 'grocery baskets,' you need one that is meant for those baskets, (if you're looking at older 'paperboy,' back paniers...)
-An old Schwinn is better, (or any 'safety-frame,' 'cruiser,') style, -as it has a longer triangle between the crank and the rear wheel.
---Modern 'Mountain Bikes -or 'hybrid,' types have a shorter distance between the bottom crank and the rear wheel hub, ---which means that when you put a basket on it, -it will wipe out the achiles' and heel of the driver...
Converted old Ten-Speeds and such, (you want to go with a wider tire width if you can fit it, -for tread and traction,) work well ---but again, keep an eye on the size of the rear frame vs. the size of the baskets. (I picked up a monster double basket at CyclePath for like, 40.00) --You're probably going to want to go with a smaller basket.
--So start with a longer 'bigger,' frame if you can, or get something specifically designed for the bike with the space considerations in mind..
-Front Baskets (with a 'spiderweb') net over them (to keep stuff from bouncing out,) is a bit of a better way to go. ---just be forewarned that when you put a lot of stuff in them (groceries, etc,) it will throw the weight when you steer the bike... (the rear baskets over a book-rack -will throw it side to side, -but the position is a bit easier to control...
A good place to find baskets and such to fit the bike out is Cycle Path (up on Hearndon and Cedar, (ish,) -as they can special order the baskets, --as well as performance or Stephens or Tri-sport... ---again, key factor? that it's built for that particular bike...
Final?
If you have a bike with a basket ---it could be a total clunker --and it will get swiped quicker than a really nice bike with no basket...
so make sure you have it locked up well, or keep it inside...
Fulton Plaza
I'd like to nominate Reza for Fresno "Urban Planner of the Year", he's done a better job than all the lugheads @ City Hall in the last 40 years, with just 4 projects
not a bad start
isn't that enough space for a supermarket?
not a bad mix
while the FoodMaxx on Fresno & B Sts might be a short car ride away (or bus No. 26 or No. 28 to Courthouse Park, then bus No. 32 to Fresno & B Sts), the Longs is within walking distance on mild weather days, over 65 to under 85 degrees (bus No. 26 covers the distance on Broadway, or bus No. 28 covers the distance on Fulton & Van Ness)
my suggestion: get a bike with metal grocery baskets & hoof it
Unique?
Fresno's uniqueness is in its ability to spend a great deal of effort and money to come up with wholly bland results.
Fresno needs to work on making things shiny and visually attractive, and has to devote a budget to periodic, pre-planned updates; holding on to the past too hard drives away the future.
Maintenance is a huge issue for so many reasons. I took my first drive downtown to check Fulton Thursdays out recently, and I think I was actually more afraid of the road destroying my car than getting it stolen or defaced, and the latter concerns were certainly there. Not to mention the complications of actually getting anywhere with the complexity of the roads.
That said, I certainly agree on the cookie-cutter issues. While I'm quite fond of the general idea behind River Park et al, it is certainly bland enough that it will never attract any actual tourists who weren't in the area already. The fact that most of the stores there are warehouse-style (Bless you, Gottschalks, for remembering that up is an option) is a huge blow against it. That is NOT how you build an interesting location, and it's an absolutely horrible waste of space. You don't need the Sears Tower, but at least have TWO stories, to kill that "grocery shopping" sensation, and make for the possibility of getting a view and a skyline. The acres of stucco definitely need to go. They're as bland as walls of concrete or brick. They at least put a bit of ivy up, but they could do so much more. Put up some murals, maybe, showing off Fresno's history. Put up some tasteful community art displays, have some sort of memo board for local events. Bring in some more entertainment, preferably something with enough energy that it won't scare off the money-burning hipsters (because sorry, like it or not, they have money, and money is required for a thriving economy).
And for the love of my eyes, move away from the faux adobe color schemes. Fresno needs to look less sun-baked. At least go for marble white instead of muddy pastels and dull concrete gray. Maybe go crazy and throw some wood in there somewhere.
Really, I'd be happy if they just went and stole some ideas from Downtown Disney instead of the Arizona desert.
I think Fresnans would be too. Even the downtowners (maybe).
we have come... and we wait
its refreshing to have some mention of downtown that doesn't speak of the obvious signs of life, or lack there of rather. its long been time to break away from the cookie-cutter riverpark syndrome effecting anytown usa everywhere.
fresno has so much potential to be 'uniquely fresno'. what lies just beneth the architects pencil? we've come and we wait. make no mistake about it.
hmmm
...well, first off, my apologies for not recognizing the creators (IE designers,) of the works.. (but then again, I'm going often with what has been discussed and presented in varying forms of media...
Some of this reminds me of the situation of Rembrandt Van Rijn...
He had assistants.
Sometimes he had assistants who painted darn near the whole thing, and then Rembrandt added a few touches, (or directed it,) and then signed off...
-The assistants got paid, they got experience.
-The name got furthered,
-Rembrandt got paid
-and the client got a 'genuine' Rembrandt.
Without peeing in too many bowls of wheaties it has to be understood what is happening.
This is rock-n-roll or 'scene,' give and take.
Reza is the leader of the band.
-Is he the true genius?
(dunno,)
-and then when we get done saying yes or no, -is he the true genius for orchestrating and being the figurehead, (while others do the designwork, the building, etc...)
Is Reza just a 'brand,' or a calibre of work, or a movement? (as you suggest and I'd agree.)
If I did a bunch of woodwork, or built a bunch of furniture for Reza, -and it went into a signature structure? I mean, yeah, I'd want folks to know that I built it and that I was for hire.. ---but it would probably be known as a 'Reza,' piece.
(Much in the same way that any house, done by Frank Lloyd Wright was known purely as one of 'his,' --though the man didn't build anything, (and a lot of folks did.)
As deep as this gets, -a lot of it is really quite surface, and a lot of it is smoke and mirrors.
Fresno Famous without Jarah? Unthinkable.
Fresno Famous withoug Susie? Undoable.
-and all the rest who (no doubt,) made it 'happen,' --who knows their names...
In this town where the attention span and ability to focus for most folks is exceeded by that of a gnat's...
I think the fact that stuff is getting done, that people know which name is associated, -and they are behind it, ---may be as good as it gets.
-What IS sad?
a lot of muralists and artists are leaving the area, (a friend of mine told me that this happens every fifteen years or so... last time was Santa Fe, --this time Portland Oregon.)
If you see the gentleman who painted the murals on Broadway, and Vagabond, -ask him first, but hug him goodbye,,, (I just shook his hand,) --'cause as of the middle of the month? He and a few other 'key artists,' are headed north...
(It will be intersting to see what the 'Reza Brand' will do without one of it's key muralists, ---but there are other good painters in town, other muralists, (though, not like this fellow,) -and things will grow-go on.)
I am glad that you cleared this up though, -and think the work is still excellent...
(That Reza's folks are fronting some of the lettuce for the projects (if not all?) (something I just 'heard,') -So what.
The funds have to come from somewhere, -and if it's true? It's nice to see development, marketing, and creativity going from one generation to the next...
Architectural Plagiarism
In the last few years I have had the fortune of getting to know Reza while working with him on a few of his downtown projects, including the H St. Lofts.
I have become a huge supporter of his efforts and commitment to pushing Fresno forward, especially in terms of the arts and downtown revitalization. He is what Fresno has been in desperate need of for way too long....a developer with a vision and passion that is willing to take the financial risk that other Fresno developers are not.
As the designer for the H St. Lofts, however, I'm a little shocked that the facts are as mixed up as they are, and with every article I read in the paper or on-line they seem to get worse and worse.
With regard to the design concept, it would be nice to be given the opportunity to share with everyone a full, accurate description of what this project is all about. Some of the ideas seem to kind of come through, albeit in a bit of a contorted manner, in the articles I have seen thus far. But there is so much to this project, and if our architecture firm could only get some recognition in one of the stories, we might be able to share with all the ideas behind the materials, the layout, each element of the design, the experience of the space, connecting to the surrounding context, etc.
There seem to be confusion in the journalism community about who the typical players are, and what their roles are, in a construction project. Reza is the client / developer - NOT THE ARCHITECT. Granville Homes and Pyramid Homes are the financial backers. The Taylor Teter Partneship represents the ARCHITECTS. But here I am reading these articles, quoting Reza as the designer, which is like quoting a book publisher as the author without recognizing the author at all. These articles are on the verge of architectural plagiarism, and I can't for the life of me can't figure out why this is such a difficult concept to understand.
now that's cool
I remember sitting there watching the (encore) screening of Suzanne's film 'Finding Home,' seeing people who were 'back to stay,' -who have now moved on, ---and hearing Asemi's (sp?) comment '...there really isn't enough here for me to maximize my potential,' (or something like that,) and I thought...
'...ah, maaaaaannnnn...'
The fact that he 'gets it,' in terms of designing and working with buildings that both have character to begin with -and then enhances it (the long window with the railroad tracks... excellent...)
-Means that the sites will not only be well built with modern methods and materials,
---but be instant classics in that they are resto-retro, and will fit right in as social/visual anchors (AND) provide 'instant authenticity and 'memories/nostalgia,' to a building (without being cheesy and overdone...)
(I love it when people freakin' do their homework, know how to target an audience and then go out and make cool stuff
---and have the backing/finances to pull it off without a lot of 'drama'...)
..well, you know, with exception to the more uptight folks having issues with the word 'Vagabond.'
-Hopefully there will be enough to keep him, and others who think and act this way a little busy for a while longer...
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