Proposed Sacramento apartments would double as larger-than-life mural

A proposed apartment complex would cater to artists and contribute to the many murals across the City of Sacramento.

The five-story, 95-unit building would also include units that double as work studios for creative projects. The building itself, proposed to be built at 1616 E Street, would have its outer walls painted to create a mural that will stand out among the surrounding low-rise, multifamily hotels, residences and businesses.

“However, the building will act as an artistic beacon within this eclectic neighborhood, and set a local standard for cohesive design between architecture and art,” the project’s concept narrative reads.

Project renderings provided by SKK Development show before and after images of the apartments, showing how it will look when the artistic work is done.

The large-scale piece in the project narrative describes a mural along the complex’s west facade, along 16th Street, where its five “sawtooth” facades would face traffic along the street. People walking by would see the facades merge to form a singular image.

The mural will tell a story that can be followed by going along the building. The designated artist and the property owners would decide what theme the mural will have.

The units would include 42 studios, 41 one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units, for a total of 95 available units in a space that would take up a little more than a half acre. Four of the units on the ground floor would double as work spaces open for public use.

Fifteen unassigned parking spaces will be on-site while a parking agreement with Memorial Garage would provide an extra 33 spaces. Forty-eight long-term bicycle spaces will be located within the complex and 10 short-term spaces will be at the exterior of the property.

A 749 square-foot rooftop terrace is also included in the plan.

The project is still under review by the city of Sacramento.