For those wondering what impact Ice Blocks may have on the Sacramento community, the MARRS building may be instructive. In 2008, Heller Pacific redeveloped what Marchand describes as “an old concrete warehouse box,” transforming the half-block building into what he says is now “a vibrant, pivotal piece of Midtown.” A short drive along 20th Street between J and K streets, from Peet’s to LowBrau Bierhall, seems to confirm this: The patio stretching the length of the block-long MARRS building is routinely packed with people. Marchand says Ice Blocks will be like the MARRS building on steroids. Though it’s only a single building, MARRS seems larger. It was designed to “activate” the public space along the length of its exterior, creating a third-place environment that Ice Blocks, as a seven-building project, should only improve upon. As an example, says Marchand, “two buildings will be staggered, with a breezeway connecting the two, so that now you have eight possible corners instead of just four.”
Marchand expects that the creative vibrancy of Ice Blocks will rely upon the diversity of its tenants, a synergy that can’t be gauged until after those tenants move in. In the meantime, Ice Blocks is appealing to everything from “small consulting firms to large tech companies,” as well as to both Sacramento businesses and national clients. “We can offer suites down to 1,200 square feet, which is unique for a new development. Also, you can have a 400-square-foot retailer all the way up to a 10,000-square-foot retailer, even a 20,000-square-foot retailer,” says Marchand. While Ice Blocks lost some tenants after the fire, the leasing agent has since entered new negotiations with other potential tenants. “The momentum is picking back up,” says Marchand. One important tenant still plans to move its main office to Ice Blocks: Sacramento Republic FC. (It also plans to open a storefront and event space.) Jordan Venema can be reached at jordan.venema@gmail.com n
IES n INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM
49