Architecture | ReallyRedding

November 6, 2016

The Carnegie Public Library in Redding

Click to enlarge. Alas, it is no more.

From Wikipedia: “A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems. 1,689 were built in the United States, 660 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 125 in Canada, and others in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Serbia, Belgium, France, the Caribbean, Mauritius, Malaysia and Fiji.

At first, Carnegie libraries were almost exclusively in places where he had a personal connection, namely his home-town in Scotland and the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Beginning in 1899, Carnegie substantially increased funding to libraries outside of these areas.

In later years few towns that requested a grant and agreed to his terms were refused. By the time the last grant was made in 1919, there were 3,500 libraries in the United States, nearly half of them built with construction grants paid by Carnegie.”

What a legacy! He touched many lives. Andrew Carnegie’s Library Motto:

Presumably, Redding didn’t just casually make the decision to remove it.

But if you are reading this from beyond the pale, Andrew Carnegie, Redding in 2016 is very sorry about that. Here is how the site looks today:

Our present Redding Library is also quite beautiful. In a different way.

September 23, 2015

Pope Francis pays a visit to the U.S.

I’m happy that the Pope is visiting the U.S. today. I admire him. I was raised a Catholic, although I have not considered myself to be such since a young man. This Pope seems much different than most during my lifetime. Pope Francis appears more humble, thoughtful, and less imperious. I find him inspiring. Last year we toured the Vatican on a somewhat rainy day, and I was lucky to capture some very nice photos. I thought the occasion of his visit a good excuse to look them over again.
Below, we pose in St Peter’s Square, where the Pope addresses crowds.
There was so much gorgeous art and architecture at the Vatican, it was overwhelming.

[Show as slideshow]

From Wikipedia: “Throughout his public life, Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to interfaith dialogue.” A much needed spirit for our times. Welcome to the U.S, Pope Francis. We are blessed by your presence.

[Show picture list]

October 20, 2014October 20, 2014

New building to replace the Greyhound Station in Redding

Here’s a glimpse of the planned building now under construction at the site of the iconic-but-now-razed Greyhound Station that occupied the corner of Pine and Butte in Redding. Click to slightly expand.
We have a long history of tearing down what few interesting buildings we have in Redding. But that’s okay by me they are replaced with beautiful and imaginative structures like this. If you are interested in occupying this space, here is a link to the flyer about 1321 Butte Street by fellow Realtor Chris Haedrich of Haedrich & Co. (530) 221 1127. It’s Really Redding.

Greyhound Bus Station in Redding circa 1970's — Greyhound Bus Station in Redding circa 1970’s

Bus station image courtesy of Shasta Historical Society. Consider joining us.

June 21, 2014

Sundial bridge time to be correct today for the 10th time

Re-post from 2009 in view of today’s 10th anniversary celebrations of our famous bridge. Images below from when it was right for the 5th time. This year, the celebration is much bigger.

Yesterday a group of folks gathered at the north end of Redding’s Sundial Bridge to observe the Solstice, and perhaps to verify that their cell phones report the same time as the planet. Noon. Yep.

There was a band, and some booths. At one of the booths you could look at the sun, but there were no sunspots or flares, so it pretty much looked like just a bright disk.

Redding lays claim to the tallest known sundial on the planet at 217 ft. We humans have a history of building large and relatively permanent structures to observe the planetary movements.

May 31, 2014May 31, 2014

Historical walk at Diestlehorst Bridge reveals our connection to the past

Connections. That’s what looking at history provides. Connections to the past.
We attended the Shasta Historical Society’s walking tour of Diestelhorst Bridge yesterday.

Below, historian Mike Grifantini offers stories that help connect us all to the Diestelhorst Bridge.

The story of its origin resonated. The bridge was a project funded by forward thinking Redding civic leaders around a hundred years ago. They commissioned a leading architect of the time for its design, A.V. Spah.

The civic purpose for the bridge was to drive highway traffic through downtown Redding. If it weren’t for this bridge, traffic would have shifted east via Freebridge, and would have left Redding merchants high and dry.
Evidently, their plan worked. Redding did not dry up and fade away.

I considered the connection to another bridge in Redding, the Sundial. Now celebrating it’s 10th year. A bridge commissioned by visionary civic leaders, and designed by a leading architect. A bridge designed to drive traffic through Redding, rather than around it. Connections.
You can see the Sundial in the lower corner of the image above. Its angularity seeming to be a reflection of the trestle struts.Forward thinking citizens. Using bridges to drive commerce, and connecting a thriving community. A plan like the bridge itself, having withstood the test of time.
It’s Really Redding.

There’s another historical walk in Redding scheduled for this evening. See what connection you may find.

March 27, 2014

Barcelona comfort food Shasta County style?

Cannabis Gelato. Remember, you saw it here first, Redding.

Erin said this idea might take off in the U.S. like Starbucks. Maybe so. Afterall, we already have cannabis products like girl scout cookie weed, so why no icecream as well?

I’d rather see this comfort food, below. Paella and Sangria enjoyed at a sidewalk cafe. More like this please.

On the other hand, here’s an image Redding folks wouldn’t much care for. We would call it tight parking.

Here are a few more images of Barcelona from our recent journey. Click to enlarge, and click enlarged image to exit.
Spain feels very comfortable, indeed.

[Show as slideshow]

March 17, 2014March 17, 2014

A European city with a Redding flavor

This part of Valencia Spain is called the City of Arts and Sciences. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. Visiting felt immediately familiar to this Reddingite. Here are a few images I captured a couple weeks ago. Click on any to slightly expand.
Those tile covered night lighting fixtures look very familiar.

All so very photogenic. There are more (and better) Valencia images at the Calatrava website. Worth a look. Beautiful examples of his signature work. And here’s an interesting interview with the architect from a few years back.

March 16, 2012

Arches across the Sacramento

Just a lovely detail of two bridges about a hundred years apart.
It’s Really Redding.

January 23, 2012

An architect’s view of the Redding School of the Arts

Last week at the Shasta Association of Realtors, we had a talk by James Theimer of Trilogy Architecture about the design that went into the recently completed new campus of the Redding School of the Arts.

I only had a scant amount of knowledge about the campus and the design. I knew in building it, they had kept Green practices at forefront. It certainly is a fabulous looking facility as you drive by the campus at Inspiration Way where it meets the Shasta View roundabout across from Lema Ranch.

But listening to James talk I was literally blown away by how deep was the forethought that went into the design, and the visionary parameters that were applied to the overall facility. The school, the buildings, the site itself is designed to teach. It integrates seamlessly into the outdoors, and takes full advantage of the local climate and light. James was kind enough to supply the presentation he showed, and you can view it here:

An Outdoor School

I’ve also attached a partial recording about 20 minutes in length of his talk as a webcast/podcast, located at the bottom of this post. If you are interested in the Redding School of the Arts, this talk is well worth your time. If you are following along with the presentation, it starts somewhere around page 10.

We are fortunate to have such a fantastic school facility here in Redding. Another example of our commitment to education, and the value we place on the next generation of Reddingites. Thanks James Theimer for your visionary work, and thanks to you McConnell Foundation for leading the way.

View Larger Map

August 5, 2011September 14, 2011

Visionary Shasta County real estate developer Frank Nichols

I shared a beer with with longtime local real estate developer Frank Nichols yesterday evening. Frank was instrumental in creating two extraordinary local developments, Shasta Forest Village, and the active adult community, The Vineyard in Redding.
With Shasta Forest Village in Shingletown, Frank explained he had been building rural on properties scattered across the county for mostly urban buyers unfamiliar with the requirements for water wells and other utilities. He reasoned that if he could cluster some rural lots with paved roads, underground utilities, and a community water system, he could fulfill an unmet demand. From that vision, the innovative Shasta Forest Village was born in the early 1970s, and remains a popular development even today.

Then, Frank envisioned an active adult community that offered residents gated security, a social clubhouse, and a beautiful setting with good access to city amenities. Frank undertook the devilishly complex 208 home project that became The Vineyard. That housing development has gone on to exceed all expectations for quality of life. Homes there are in high demand, similar to homes available from a real estate firm similar to Saussy Burbank among others. Residents truly love living there. If you are looking for a house development company, or if you are looking at moving house you maybe want to learn about New Homes in Charlotte NC or a real estate company more local to you.

These days Frank is quite busy refurbishing and reselling existing homes in need of repair. Some of his properties have found themselves on the listings on the Inboundrem Real Estate Website comparison site due to their quality. But he would rather be building a more ambitious project. We both ruefully agreed that the current economic environment would make a new large, visionary project problematic in our region. But I asked what he might build, if things were different. He described a 4 story condo project for active adults. “As long as it had a view of the river, it would be fabulously successful.” I have to agree. If all this talk of real estate has got you feeling tempted to make an investment of your own, you might want to take time to first learn about the complexities of the industry. There are some excellent educational courses out there such as Roofstock for example so do not be afraid to do some research to find out what works for you.

River condo project in Redding — A multistory building along the Sacramento River

Redding has generally been resistant to taller buildings along the river. I understand the feeling. I wonder though, considering the sprawl we otherwise encourage, if this the wisest course. I do hear much demand from buyers, especially those boomers approaching retirement, who want a secure home, in a walkable neighborhood that provides for social interaction at will. Participate socially, or not, without inviting guests to your home for a party from which they’ll have to drive home. The multi-story residential unit on the river sounds better all the time.

Thanks for the beer, Frank. And thanks for being a visionary with the proven chops to make stuff happen. To take it from vision to reality. That’s Really Redding.