Sales have begun at the second phase of The Creamery at Alkali Flat, a Sacramento development from BlackPine Communities and Presidio Residential Capital.
First move-ins have already begun as 39 of the 122 single-family, tri-level homes have already sold since sales began in December 2015. The $68.9 million, 8-acre urban infill development on two-and-a-half city blocks in Sacramento’s historic Alkali Flat neighborhood is attracting empty nesters, young professionals, and members of the creative sector with amenities such as urban gardens, inviting kiosks and a 9,000-square-foot “bark park” with water stations.
“The Creamery at Alkali Flat offers buyers the excitement of a metropolitan lifestyle but also, of equal importance, enough modern amenities so they don’t feel that in selling their existing homes they’ll need to compromise on comfort and value,” says Michael Paris, founder and president of BlackPine Communities. “We’ve crafted a vibrant community, not a subdivision.”
Located on the former site of the Crystal Cream & Butter Company, The Creamery is directly across the street from two city parks and close to major employers, five blocks from the new Golden 1 Arena entertainment district, shopping, recreation and public transportation. Residents can easily access both midtown and downtown Sacramento. BlackPine Communities is spending more than $5.6 million in infrastructure improvements and piloting a “gray water” system in partnership with the City of Sacramento as a demonstration site to showcase onsite alternatives to irrigate its extensive landscaping.
In collaboration with BSB Design, BlackPine jointly designed the urban contemporary homes at The Creamery, which range from 1,745 to 2,309 square feet and have two-car garages as well as numerous upgrade options, including rooftop patios and flex rooms. They’re priced in the mid $500,000s.
The project is an important piece of the revitalization efforts for the downtown neighborhood, which was developed in the 1850s as one of Sacramento’s first planned residential communities and fell into disrepair in the 1960s. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency has invested $7.4 million to actively facilitate the creation and preservation of housing types for all income levels at Alkali Flat, committing funds toward first-time homebuyer efforts.
The last new residence built in Alkali Flat—until The Creamery—was in 1910, and homes and businesses in the neighborhood date to the early 1850s. BlackPine Communities integrated modern technology and materials into the historic neighborhood.
“We decided early not to create ‘faux’ Victorians to preserve and respect the areas flavor, but rather to bring new elegance to this formerly forgotten neighborhood,” Paris said.
BlackPine Communities expects the neighborhood to be complete by February 2018.
