Rancho Cordova, one of the area’s most innovative cities, is really moving to develop its suburban downtown and this new complex will be part of the gateway to it.
New Urbanism is an interesting school of architecture, that while somewhat antagonistic to suburban development, (the animating heart of Rancho Cordova) has a focus on place making that is admirable and given the leadership of Rancho Cordova, one assumes this will become a beautifully congruent development.
An excerpt.
Bob Shallit: Stunning complex set for Rancho Cordova
By Bob Shallit - Bee ColumnistPublished 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 16, 2006
Catlin Properties has found a great new headquarters building. But first it needs to build it.
The local development firm is set to start work early next year on what's shaping up as a stunning office and retail complex at the southeast corner of Zinfandel Drive and White Rock Road -- the gateway to downtown Rancho Cordova.
Planned are two "New Urbanist" buildings, with sharp angles, loft-like industrial features and a mix of brick and concrete materials. At the corner will be a three-story building with restaurants and shops at ground level, topped with offices -- including Catlin's -- on the upper floors. Also planned is an adjacent, single-story retail building.
It's actually Catlin's second shot at developing the corner. An earlier plan called for a single 60,000-square-foot "tilt-up" office building.
City officials didn't like it. Catlin came back with the new design from Williams Paddon Architects, calling for "Class A" buildings with steel-frame construction, mixed uses and eye-catching features. This one was approved by Rancho officials last month.
Work should begin next spring and be completed by the end of 2007, says company President Ben Catlin.
