Over 100 years ago, the Bel-Vue on 8^th was among the very first ‘mixed use’ buildings in downtown Sacramento, with comfortable apartments above American Cash, a ground floor grocery + hardware store.  Designed by California’s first state architect, this was a gem honored on the National Historic Register – but it’s better days were a distant memory as it slipped into decay, an abandoned wreck filled with bat, pigeons and rot.

Today it’s glowing again, full of tenants who enjoy the historic restored interior down to the claw foot tubs and  rich moldings, and the lobby fitted out like an elegant library.  Applied Architecture was proud to have assisted young developer Ali Youssefi on this adventure, completed six months after he was tragically lost to cancer. 

The Bel-Vue has regained its spot among Sacramento’s treasures.

Michael F. Malinowski FAIA Architect

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Million Dollar Bus Stop Friday, March 29, 2013 _____ A single pole and sign simply can’t compare to a new million-dollar bus shelter in Arlington, VA. With its heated concrete floor, stainless-steel benches and architectural glass and steel canopy, the so-called ” Super Stop” at Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive is the future of bus-stop design in the Washington D.C. suburb. Officials have 23 more stops planned. Arlington County Arlington County Arlington County officials say the $1 million bus stop is the first of many. But, as one might expect, the public is not too thrilled. “Is this made of gold?” one commuter wondered to the Washington Post. Besides the exorbitant price tag, the lavish Arlington County prototype has seats too cold to sit on and offers little shelter if the wind or rain blows in the wrong direction, reports say. Officials Defend Project Officials say the actual construction and fabrication of the stop cost $575,000, while $440,000 was spent on construction management and inspections. Federal and state transportation money paid 80 percent of the tab. County officials have defended the stop, saying it was an investment in infrastructure to support the area’s renewal and anticipated growth. The new stops will also accommodate streetcars planned for the area, but the rest of the stops won’t hit the million-dollar mark, officials say. “Our goal, if at all possible, is to do it for less,” Dennis Leach, Arlington’s transportation director told the Washington Post. When prototypes are involved, Leach said, “you end up heavily front-loading on the costs.” The rest of the stops are expected to run about $904,000 each. NO . this is NOT an APRIL FOOLS joke . sadly this is a real news item. Your tax dollars at work.