Posts Tagged ‘apartments’

If you’ve heard about The Fultonia project either through the local news media or by following this blog, you’re probably familiar with the term, “SoTow”, and may have wondered what it means and why it is so significant to the Tower District and to Central Fresno. Basically, the term SoTow, (South of Tower) was created to help establish a new identity for the Tower District neighborhood south of Olive Avenue.

The term was first conceived when I was contacted by property owner Terance Frazier with TFS Investments, LLC to look at The Fultonia; a 39-unit apartment complex with 10 commercial spaces in front that he had just purchased. As I walked through the complex I saw a unique opportunity to bring a once-proud property with great architectural bones and a neighborhood that was suffering from years of neglect back to life.

I also saw an existing structure, built around 1950, that although in terrible condition offered something that was extremely rare in Fresno – an existing mixed-use property with both residential and commercial spaces available. The only other properties that offered this unique mix were either built recently or are currently under construction. A small complex was built a few years ago across from Fresno State that has retail on the ground floor with apartments above and Reza Assemi has become the preeminent mixed-use developer in the Uptown Arts District with both completed mixed-use projects and others in progress.

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Designer Jessica Jovan with Interior Motives was instrumental in working with TYCO Project Manager Richard Deaver on the kitchen cabinet designs to optimize the efficiency and work area in the newly redesigned kitchens and on the design of the new baths. The original kitchens were very small and poorly designed, but the new kitchens have been reconfigured and are much more open and spacious. Fultonia residents will enjoy the new kitchens, which will feature oak cabinets, granite countertops and wood laminate flooring along with new stoves and refrigerators in each unit.

The newly redesigned baths will feature all new plumbing and lighting fixtures as well as new wood laminate flooring.

With the range of skills, and the knowledge that Jessica received from her education as a Cal State Fresno graduate in the Design program, and having worked as an Interior Designer, she now enjoys focusing on improving the quality and safety as well as improving the overall function of the building or living space with key focus on the overall appearance and aesthetics. (more…)

With progress being made every day on the residential units at Fultonia, planning has begun on the ten commercial storefront spaces along Fulton Street. TFS Investments is already looking at adding a coin operated Laundromat in one of the spaces, so the Design-Build team at TYCO General, Inc. has submitted a conceptual plan for a coffee shop as an anchor tenant in an adjoining space.

The coffee shop conceptual plan was conceived to offer the SOTOW neighborhood with a place to enjoy high quality espresso-type coffees as well as specialty teas, fruit smoothies and more. Since Fulton is a heavily traveled street, especially with morning commuter traffic, having a coffee shop conveniently located will afford the public with a place to stop on their way to work each day. There is also a plan to have doors between the coffee shop and Laundromat so when local residents are washing clothes they can relax with a cup of coffee, tea or a soft drink.

The coffee shop will also offer an outdoor patio with market umbrellas, trees and lush landscaping.

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SoTow emerging as link between Tower and downtown

[The Fresno Bee],

May 21, 2009

Fresno has the Tower District, Old Fig and River Park. Now, people can add SoTow to that list.

That’s what Fresno City Council President Cynthia Sterling calls the region south of the Tower District. The neighborhood connects the Tower, known for its restaurants and nightlife, with downtown, the government center.

Sterling said SoTow is ready to emerge, starting with Fultonia — a 1950s-era apartment and commercial complex on Fulton Street near Belmont Avenue that is getting its own version of an extreme makeover.

“Fulton Street will be like the next Van Ness,” said Terance Frazier of TFS Investments, which bought the 40 one-bedroom and studio apartments and 10 commercial spaces at and near 608 N. Fulton St.

“They are the two arms between the Tower District, and this is the heart between them.” (more…)

THE FULTONIA Live/Work Village Project Overview Project design and information

  Housing is an essential component to the success of The Fultonia Live/Work Village development. This project has been designed to help alleviate the shortage of moderately priced housing in Central Fresno by adding 39 rental apartments and 10-commercial spaces.

Many hard-working families and individuals in Fresno cannot afford to rent a high quality home or must pay a substantial proportion of their income each month for housing. There is also a need for quality live/work units for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to lessen their impact on the environment by combining quality commercial space coupled with living space to minimize travel to and from their work. The Fultonia Live/Work Village addresses those problems by offering its residents options to rent a quality apartment in a safe and secure village environment, or they can also combine their housing needs with a place to operate their business within the same complex.

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