The office property, managed by The RMR Group, received a valuable revitalization aimed at attracting and supporting tenants post-pandemic.
National interdisciplinary design firm, HGA, has completed a full-scale modernization of the public-facing spaces within the iconic Renaissance Tower located at 801 K Street in downtown Sacramento, California. The firm was brought in by leading U.S. alternative asset management company, The RMR Group, to redesign the building’s main entrance, common area and expanded lobby to better complement its neighboring community and offer a fresh, welcoming experience for its corporate occupants and local visitors alike.
Built in 1989, Renaissance Tower was once the tallest building in Sacramento and remains a downtown landmark as the current fifth tallest. Beyond the upgrades necessary for modernizing the 30-year-old property, the underutilized building was in need of a comprehensive repositioning to both activate and elevate it as a desirable destination for future tenants and the greater public. In total, HGA’s redesign encompassed approximately 6,000 square feet of common spaces within the 28-floor building on the city’s eclectic K Street, which draws its energy from a diverse mix of hotels, restaurants and nightlife amongst mid-rise and high-rise office buildings.
“Renaissance Tower has been a fixture of Sacramento’s skyline for decades, and it was our honor to be a part of its restoration for the next generation of users,” said Heather Kampa, CID, WELL AP, EDAC, principal at HGA and the project’s lead. “HGA’s Sacramento office takes great pride in our city, and this project provided a fantastic opportunity to work with a company like The RMR Group that shares in our vision for its continued growth and revitalization. Together, we’ve reimagined this local landmark into an inviting space that better engages the tenants and other visitors who will be returning to Renaissance Tower.
Initiating a New Chapter for Renaissance Tower
Design goals for the Renaissance Tower renovation centered around optimizing the experience of current and future users. In particular, HGA sought to design a visually appealing, welcoming environment that sets the tone for the rest of the office property with The RMR Group’s values for innovation, flexibility, sustainability and wellness at the forefront. Furthermore, it was important that the revitalization pay homage to the history and legacy of the Renaissance Tower which has long been a part of the culture of downtown Sacramento and is known for its iconic Art Deco architectural geometry.
HGA’s holistic design approach led to a variety of tenant-supporting design decisions that started with transforming the tower’s dated lobby area, which was previously dimly lit and featured dark wood paneling and low ceilings. The space was initially opened up by demolishing the existing interior lobby and common area and expanding the lobby to the east, within the building footprint, increasing space for access to the public and for better daylighting. Infrastructure strategies were implemented to raise the ceiling height and provide improved views for increased connection to the outdoors.
HGA’s expertise in hybrid workplace design reinforced the decision to incorporate more than the standard amenities one might expect in a modern office. The team instead integrated tenant-attracting, engaging amenities that provide a better user experience and journey through the space while also maintaining its flexibility with features like mobile furniture and open plan layouts. This kind of flexibility for future growth was built into the space programming as well to allow for subsequent amenity space upgrades and potential new tenants. At present, the lobby features flexible seating and touch-down work areas for occupants and members of the public seeking a different environment for meeting, working and taking breaks.
Honoring the Past and Redefining the Future
Treasured Art Deco elements, such as elevator and granite wall finishes, remain intact and inspire an overall palette that provides a bright, clean and whimsical aesthetic. Original wall tiles in the front of the space that continued from the exterior to the interior were kept by HGA to maintain the existing architectural language, as were the tile walls within the lobby and parking elevator areas and elevator cab finishes. Renaissance Tower’s original brass finishes add warmth to the newly renovated lobby and blend in naturally with the new tile accent wall used at the front of the elevator lobby wall. Carefully selected lighting fixtures featuring organic shapes and sculptural forms dance throughout the public space to further a sense of whimsy.
With respect to the building’s history and cultural relevance within Sacramento, the HGA design team collaborated with Grigio Art Consulting and local Sacramento artists to activate its common area walls with customized artwork and reinforce the connection between the holistic design story and downtown culture. Studio Tutto was selected to paint a 30-foot botanical mural, titled “Between the Vines,” located adjacent to the main entrance to guide visitors on their journey to the lobby and towards the rest of the building. The mural includes two contrasting painted layers that create a unique composition. The first layer is a washy loose layer and the second represents the region’s native foliage. Adeptly chosen by Studio Tutto, the clematis vine is a plant native to Sacramento that grows with other plants to create a tapestry-like effect. Similarly, the art mural weaves in naturally with the building materials and patterns of the new renovation to transform the experience in the public space.
Additionally, visual artist Joha Harrison created a fine art piece, “Inclusion,” placed near the main elevator lobby and utilizing different papers sourced from around the world. The textured quality of the various types and colors of paper come together and invite viewers to step closer and explore its multiple facets and how they can relate to each other in one fine art piece. The two unique masterpieces are strategically connected and located within the space to complement each other and the overall vision, activate the space and encourage exploration to the public utilizing the space.
“At The RMR Group, we aim to provide our tenants with innovative, well-designed and vibrant office spaces that enhance the employee experience. We’re committed to ensuring our properties are environmentally sustainable and support the community at large,” said Jennifer Hall, Regional Vice President of The RMR Group. “We value this partnership with HGA to deliver the leading-edge office environments that we seek to offer.”
Facilitating a Healthy Workplace
Prior to HGA’s engagement, Renaissance Tower was Energy Star labeled and LEED Platinum certified, so it was critical for the team to maintain both designations through innovative design and system upgrading strategies. Mechanical systems, plumbing fixtures with GREENGUARD Gold Certifications, interior finishes and other products were responsibly selected by HGA to meet sustainability goals. For example, the tile flooring in the lobby was made in the USA and is comprised of pre- and post-consumer recycled materials, thus cutting down on the carbon emissions of it being imported from out of the country and made from all new materials.
One central design element that reinforces Renaissance Tower’s legacy of sustainability is an impressive vertical garden developed in partnership with Garden on the Wall. The approximately 200-square-foot feature utilizes natural, preserved plants that were harvested and do not require watering as a result of a non-toxic, plant-based, biodegradable preservation liquid. Each plant type, size and color was specifically selected and hand placed onto the wall system to create a biophilic design that coalesces with the Art Deco patterns and colors of the interior finishes and strengthens the building’s environmental impact with a significantly lower carbon footprint since its plants require no water irrigation, special lighting, soil infestations or landscaping services. Not only does the green wall meet the LEED and WELL building requirements, but the ingredients used on the wall are supported by the Health Product Declaration (HPD) and listed in the mindful MATERIALS database (mM).
Renaissance Tower’s Colliers leasing team is currently procuring retail and restaurant amenities to further enhance the vibrancy of the building’s newly designed lobby. “HGA’s revitalization of the Renaissance Tower lobby has truly turned it into one of the most inviting public spaces in downtown Sacramento,” said David Herrera, Executive Vice President, Sacramento, Colliers. He continued, “Not only are there ample options for various modes of work in a comfortable, updated environment, but the renovation has provided a great canvas for exciting retail and restaurant concepts that the whole community can enjoy.”
In addition to Kampa, the HGA team included Lotos Young, interior design lead and Richard Layugan, Senior Project Coordinator.
The project team included HGA’s lighting design team, and mechanical and structural engineers; Icon General Contractors, general contractor and construction manager; Capitol City Design, electrical consultant; Grigio Art Consulting, art consultant; Studio Tutto, mural artists; Joha Harrison, mixed media fine art piece; and Garden on the Wall, vertical garden.
“HGA is pleased to be part of a growing, ongoing relationship with the RMR Group nationwide. The Renaissance Tower is our first completed project in the Sacramento area, and we look forward to many more opportunities to work together in the future,” says Heather Kampa.
About HGA
We are a national interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. We believe that the best design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. More than 900 people in 12 offices from coast to coast work to make a positive, lasting impact for clients in healthcare, arts and culture, community, corporate, education, government, science and technology, and energy markets. Visit HGA.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About the RMR Group
The RMR Group (Nasdaq: RMR) is a leading U.S. alternative asset management company, unique for its focus on commercial real estate (CRE) and related businesses. RMR’s vertical integration is supported by approximately 600 real estate professionals in over 30 offices nationwide who manage over $37 billion in assets under management and leverage more than 35 years of institutional experience in buying, selling, financing and operating CRE. RMR benefits from a scalable platform, a deep and experienced management team and a diversity of direct real estate strategies across its clients. RMR is headquartered in Newton, MA and was founded in 1986. For more information, please visit www.rmrgroup.com.