The Railyards district in Sacramento is under construction, with several projects in various stages of development. From residential complexes to a new courthouse to the restoration of some of the most iconic buildings in the Railyards District, these projects are transforming the historic district into a thriving neighborhood.

Sacramento Courthouse

The Sacramento Courthouse is an 18-story structure covering 543,000 square feet and housing 53 courtrooms located at 500 G Street. The glittering glass building will consolidate the county court system, which is currently dispersed across an existing courthouse and four leased locations.

The Tani Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse is named after California’s 28th chief justice, who is the first Asian-Filipina American and second woman to serve as the state’s chief justice.

Construction began in November 2020, and the project is slated for completion by October 2024.

The AJ

The AJ is a five- and six-story residential project with 345 units, including 69 affordable housing units. Located at 251 Sixth St., this development also features 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and amenities such as a fitness center, pool and spa, dog wash, and rooftop lounge with outdoor grills and fire tables.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg commented on The AJ's significance: “This is the next step in transitioning what was vacant land full of opportunities to a bustling urban neighborhood.” 
With a range of amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym, sky lounge, and secure parking with EV charging stations, The AJ promises to be a home for everyone. Affordable units will be available to residents earning 50% or less of the area median income, ensuring inclusivity in this high-profile district.

Initially expected to be completed by summer 2023, vandalism and resulting water damage pushed the new completion date to December 2024.

Wong Center

The Wong Center is a four-story affordable housing project designed for seniors aged 55 and older, developed by Mutual Housing California and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency.

Located at 530 Seventh St., this $56.9 million development includes 150 units, with amenities like a community/multipurpose room, computer lab, garden beds, barbecue/picnic area, bike storage, EV charging stations, a turf area for dogs, and a bocce ball court.

The Wong Center aims to foster community among its residents with features like a 4,000-square-foot community space, an outdoor courtyard, and social amenities. This project addresses the growing need for senior housing in Sacramento, providing affordable and well-equipped living spaces in a historic area.

Construction began in June 2022, with completion expected by June 2024.

Telegrapher

The Telegrapher is the second residential project coming to the Railyards, located at 246 6th Street near the Railyards historic water tower, Central Shops District., and The Foundry.

The Telegrapher consists of three buildings: two five-story buildings with 345 residential units and one single-story building for retail spaces. Residents can choose from a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residential units and enjoy a pool and shared courtyard.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025 and be completed by summer 2027.

The Foundry

The Foundry’s two heavy timber, six-story office and retail buildings total 310,000 square feet, with 7,500 square feet dedicated to ground floor retail and restaurant space. The project includes a courtyard and a separate parking structure located east of the Central Shops between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

Construction is set to start in 2026 and finish by 2028, further enhancing the commercial appeal of the Railyards district.

Central Shops District

One of the Railyards' most anticipated projects is the preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic building in the Central Shops District. The Paint Shop, Boiler Shop, and Erecting Shop are undergoing preservation and restoration to become a new event center and an expansion of the CA State Railroad Museum.

Central Shops image courtesy of Lauren White.

Paint Shop Event Center

The Paint Shop Event Center will transform the historic building into an entertainment venue for up to 3,700 people. The renovation will include 47,790 square feet of assembly space, 5,515 square feet for restaurant and bar uses, and 6,130 square feet of office space. A new central plaza will feature a 9,500-square-foot Pavilion building. The project has received approval from the City.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2024 and be completed by fall 2026.

California State Railroad Museum Expansion

The expansion of the California State Railroad Museum involves renovating the Boiler Shop and Erecting Shop buildings, the largest former Southern Pacific structures in the 244-acre Railyards project. Located at 111 I St., preliminary engineering work and load studies have been completed. The project is being developed by the State of CA and is in the design stage for the first phase of the Boiler Shop rehab.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.

Kaiser Permanente Medical Campus

Kaiser Permanente is moving forward with plans to build an eight-story, 312-bed hospital, a five-story medical office, and a seven-level parking garage at the Railyards. The hospital would replace Kaiser’s facility on Morse Avenue in Arden-Arcade, which has to close by 2030 because it doesn’t comply with state earthquake safety guidelines.

Documents were submitted to Sacramento’s planning department on March 1, 2024, and, depending on the approval process, the hospital could break ground later this year.

Keep Following for More Railyards Construction Updates

The Railyards district is on the cusp of becoming one of Sacramento's most vibrant and dynamic neighborhoods. With a mix of residential, commercial, and public service developments, these projects promise to breathe new life into this historic area.

From affordable housing and luxury apartments to state-of-the-art medical facilities and cultural expansions, the future of the Railyards is bright and bustling with opportunities. Keep an eye on these developments as they progress and transform Sacramento's urban landscape.