Preserving the Legacy of the Railyards Central Shops

The Railyards has an important role as the City of Sacramento seeks to become the most livable city in America. The scale and location of the Railyards development provides an opportunity to create a dynamic urban environment. It aims to celebrate the area’s historical significance while meeting the needs of Sacramento’s residents and visitors today.

The Railyards development features five distinct districts, each with its own identity. Among these districts, the Central Shops District is poised to become the primary destination for the Railyards: a mixed-use district that offers shopping, entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities.

The Sacramento Railyards Historic Central Shops

The Southern Pacific Railroad Central Shops were once a hub of economic activity and innovation. Established in 1862, the Central Shops were the largest industrial complex west of the Rocky Mountains. For 80 years, thousands of men and women clocked in and out of the complex. The Southern Pacific Railroad shops were the largest single employer in the Central Valley. One in every four Sacramento workers was employed at the Central Shops. The railroads shaped many of Sacramento’s neighborhoods.

Over time, many of the Central Shops structures were demolished. Today, only a handful of buildings remain.

These historic buildings have a storied past and an even brighter future.

All eight historic buildings from the original Central Pacific Railroad Yard will be adaptively reused as the Central Shops District, the centerpiece of the Railyards infill development project.

The Paint Shop Brings Concerts and Events to the Railyards

The Paint Shop is the first shop building to be historically preserved and adaptively reused in the Central Shops District. It was once the place where passenger rail cars received a coat of paint before hitting the tracks. Now, it’s the future home of a concert and event venue that can accommodate up to 3,500 guests. An open-air Pavilion will be located next to the Paint Shop as a destination for public markets and other outdoor events.

A New Railroad Technology Museum

Two Central Shop buildings, the Boiler Shop and Erecting Shop, will be transformed into the new Railroad Technology Museum. The Railroad Technology Museum will be a vibrant and interactive museum complex to highlight Sacramento’s incredible railroad heritage while exploring the future of transportation technology.

In addition to a concert venue and museum, the remaining Central Shops buildings are planned for a mix of uses, including retail, restaurants, bars, and offices. A historic roundhouse will become a public Park Plaza, providing an attractive, active urban park while enhancing the area with more green, open spaces.

Watch a breathtaking ballet performance filmed at the Railyard’s historic Central Shops.

Preserving the Legacy of the Central Shops in the Railyards

Will the Central Shops lose their historic appeal? Not in the least. Adaptation of the historic buildings in the Central Shops will be carried out in accordance with existing standards for historic properties.

Among these standards are requirements that a property’s historic character be retained and preserved. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, construction techniques, and craftsmanship will be preserved.

New buildings, streetscapes, and plazas around the Central Shops will incorporate contemporary versions of elements used in the historic shop buildings, such as materials, window detailing, and building ornaments. New construction will complement the design and scale of historic buildings.

To bring the Central Shops back to life in a way that preserves the original buildings and allows for adaptive reuse, the Railyards has looked to San Francisco’s Ferry Building, another piece of rich California history, for inspiration. As the Ferry Building project preserved historical buildings as the frame for its community-enriching shops and market, the Railyards Central Shops District will follow suit. This style highlights the “new growth from old roots” mentality that characterizes Sacramento’s spirit.

Endless Possibilities

Sacramento is home to endless entertainment opportunities.

With delicious food and drink, beautiful music, numerous museums, performing arts shows, film festivals, and sports teams, Sacramento offers boundless cultural and entertainment experiences. The Central Shops District will embody this dynamic mix of uses.

With the sheer variety of activities in the area, The Railyards will be a fantastic place to meet new friends while relaxing with old ones.

The Central Shops Historic District portion of The Railyards is sure to become an iconic Sacramento destination, celebrating Sacramento’s past and ever-growing future.

This post was originally published in 2017. It has been updated for 2026 to include the latest information about ongoing projects at the Railyards.