Mogavero Architects

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Home Runs and Housing along the Sacramento River

ENR 2024 California Best Projects – Award of Merit  Sacramento Bee Feature, “Home run views? New apartments on Sacramento River offer ballpark and riverfront vantages” Team Cottonwood Residential – Owner CA Ventures – Developer Mogavero Architects – Architect Brown Construction – General Contractor Quadriga – Landscape Architect Cunningham Engineering – Civil Engineer Buehler – Structural Engineer LDI Mechanical – Mechanical & Electrical Engineer Stanton Engineering – Plumbing Engineer

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MA Attends Monterey Design Conference

“MDC was a whirlwind of creative people passionately sharing their contributions to housing and to environmentally conscious design. With trailblazers like these in our industry, there is so much promise that architecture can make the impact we need it to. What an experience to sit at the table and be part of those conversations.” Allison Lewis, Architect. Cecilia Chouhy, Allison Lewis, Henna Gabriel, Rosario Calvo, Renner Johnston Tatiana Bilbao

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Sacramento Affordable Housing Summit

Don’t miss this year’s Sacramento Multifamily & Affordable Housing Summit on December 11, where Mogavero Architects President Renner Johnston will moderate a panel of industry leaders. Together with experts from Community HousingWorks, EAH Housing, Eden Housing, and Deacon Construction, the panel will dive into innovative strategies for tackling Sacramento’s housing challenges, trends shaping multifamily housing, and practical solutions for building resilient, inclusive communities. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of affordable housing in our region. Register now to secure your spot!

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Fair Haven Commons opens in Fairfield

Fair Haven Commons stands as a testament to Mogavero Architects’ commitment to sustainable, community-driven design that fosters stability and resilience for Fairfield’s most vulnerable residents. Designed in partnership with MidPen Housing and the City of Fairfield, the project addresses a critical need by offering 72 affordable units, including 44 reserved for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. From the outset, our design team focused on creating a supportive environment, blending function with form to ensure residents feel a sense of belonging, safety, and pride in their new homes. The architectural design reflects Mogavero’s dedication to fostering well-integrated neighborhoods that inspire connectivity and inclusivity. Set on Sunset Avenue, the project includes a mix of studios to three-bedroom apartments, ensuring homes for diverse household needs. In addition, the on-site resident services hub by MidPen offers support to help residents achieve stability and growth. We thoughtfully designed communal spaces that promote interaction and support, while unit layouts maximize natural light and ventilation, balancing affordability with quality of life. Fair Haven Commons is more than just housing — it’s a catalyst for change in Fairfield’s housing landscape. Supported by the Fairfield Housing Authority’s significant contribution and Solano County’s commitment, the project exemplifies how public-private partnerships can create meaningful, long-lasting impacts. As architects, we are honored to contribute to a project aligned with regional goals to address housing insecurity, and we look forward to seeing Fair Haven Commons transform lives and strengthen the Fairfield community.

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Transit-Oriented Salvator Apartments Wins SHA Award

We’re thrilled to celebrate Salvator Apartments’ recent win as the Affordable Housing Development of the Year for Transit-Oriented Development by the Sacramento Housing Alliance (SHA)! This award recognizes Salvator Apartments, designed by Mogavero Architects in partnership with Community HousingWorks (CHW), as a model for transit-oriented, affordable housing that meets Sacramento’s pressing needs for inclusive and sustainable communities. Located on Arden Way near the Royal Oaks Station, Salvator Apartments provides 128 apartment homes across two four-story buildings. With a range of units from studios to three- bedrooms, the development serves a diverse population, including families, seniors, veterans, and local workforce members. Its strategic location gives residents easy access to downtown Sacramento and nearby employment centers, significantly reducing the need for car ownership and supporting sustainable urban living. The project’s transit-oriented focus is coupled with a commitment to environmental sustainability, integrating features like solar thermal hot water, Energy Star appliances, dual-pane windows, and high-efficiency heating and cooling. These innovations lower utility costs and promote a greener lifestyle for residents. The development also boasts amenities that foster community engagement and well-being, including a spacious shared courtyard with a children’s play area, community garden, outdoor seating, and a pool. Additionally, the 4,000 square feet of ground-floor space offers a computer lab, multipurpose room, and other essential facilities, supporting educational and recreational opportunities for residents. Salvator Apartments not only addresses housing affordability but also exemplifies sustainable design and community resilience, offering a blueprint for future affordable housing that enriches residents’ lives and revitalizes the surrounding area.

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805 Riverfront Wins ENR Award

Exciting news! Mogavero Architects has won the ENR Award of Merit in the “Residential Hospitality” category for 805 Riverfront in West Sacramento! This recognition from ENR California celebrates our team’s dedication and hard work, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Brown Construction, Inc. Team for their exceptional efforts and contribution to this achievement. 805 Riverfront, located across from Sutter Health Park, features 287 residential units and 8,000 square feet of retail space. With breathtaking views of the Sacramento River and Downtown Sacramento, this project blends functionality and aesthetics beautifully. Our design enhances community engagement with dynamic streetscapes, open spaces, and widened public plazas. 805 Riverfront exemplifies excellence in urban development, fostering vibrant communities and enriching the built environment. We’re proud to contribute to our industry and community with this innovative project!

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Downtown Fresno Master Plan: Mogavero Architects’ Vision for Affordable Housing with the Fresno Housing Authority

Mogavero Architects is excited to collaborate with the Fresno Housing Authority, one of California’s most proactive developers, on a transformative project aimed at revitalizing downtown Fresno. The Housing Authority has taken the important first step in aggregating a series of parcels adjacent to its offices, which includes four lots (A, B, C, D), with Lot D receiving dedicated infrastructure funding for parking. This strategic location is central to the city’s ongoing zoning initiatives, which seek to rejuvenate Fulton Street with a mix of uses and vibrant streetscapes. Our team has developed two distinct options for the Master Plan, each designed to enhance affordable housing in the area: Option 1: Balanced Density Projects: 6 Housing Units: 379 Parking Spaces: 194-250 Option 2: Increased Density Projects: 4 Housing Units: 442 Parking Spaces: 269-325 These plans prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency, featuring building orientations optimized for southern exposure to maximize natural light. The Fresno Housing Authority has shown particular interest in initiating the first phase of development on the site of the old CVS building, leveraging infrastructure dollars in a manner unprecedented in California’s current housing landscape. Meet the Team Behind the Project Leading this significant effort is Lisa Halpin, the Project Manager, alongside Craig Stradley, the Principal in Charge. Lisa will be sharing insights on this project at the upcoming San Joaquin Valley Housing Conference in Visalia on September 12th. She will moderate a panel titled “Bridging the Gap: Infilling Downtown with Affordable Housing Partnerships,” where the Fresno Housing Authority Master Plan will be a key topic of discussion. Joining Lisa on the panel will be: Michael Duarte, Director, Real Estate Development and Property Management, Fresno Housing Authority Kristin Ainley, Senior Project Manager, Self-Help Enterprises Dan Zack, President and Principal Urban Planner, Zack Urban Solutions Additionally, the panel will explore the success of The Lofts at Fort Visalia, another infill development by Mogavero Architects, demonstrating the impact of innovative urban planning in the San Joaquin Valley. Stay tuned as we continue to work towards bringing these visionary plans to life, ensuring that downtown Fresno thrives with affordable housing opportunities.

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70 Affordable Housing Units Coming to Chico

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw9JcKCzaP4 Located at the intersection of Bar Triangle Street and Robaily Drive in Chico, CA, Bar Triangle Apartments is a forthcoming multi-family residential community designed to provide affordable housing for low-income families. This project is a collaborative effort between the Housing Authority of the County of Butte and the City of Chico.  Developed by the Affordable Housing Development Corporation (AHDC), designed by Mogavero Architects and constructed by Sunseri Construction, we are excited to see this important new development come to life.  The development will feature 70 units, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with one unit designated for an on-site manager. All units are reserved for individuals earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), ensuring these homes remain accessible to those in need. A 2,802-square-foot community building is also part of the project, featuring a multipurpose room with television and video capabilities, a kitchen, restroom facilities, and office space for management. The site will include a centrally located recreational area with walkways, barbecue/picnic spots, a tot lot, and open spaces designed for outdoor enjoyment. Bar Triangle Apartments received all necessary entitlements, including a Site Plan Review Amendment and a Density Bonus from the City of Chico in early 2022. The City of Chico has committed over $14 million through a CDBG-DR Loan, and the project secured low-income housing tax credits in Spring 2024. Construction began in May 2024, with the affordable apartments set to be available in Winter 2025. Drone footage of the construction progress, provided by Sunseri Construction, beautifully captures the scale and progress of this impactful project.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Design: A timeline of Mogavero Architects

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Mogavero Architects Announces New President

As local community leaders in sustainable design, and innovative architectural solutions, we are proud to announce the appointment of Renner Johnston as the new President of our organization. For more than two decades, Renner has been integral to our practice, leading design teams from concept to construction, managing internal operations, and driving business development. In his new role, Renner will work together with the other leaders our firm to strategically position the company for future growth and innovation. “Every day, I collaborate with incredibly talented people to tackle one of California’s most pressing challenges: creating more sustainable housing. I love working with clients to bring beautiful concepts to life, where families and students create their own communities,” Renner stated. Founded 40 years ago by David Mogavero, our firm has always been rooted in the core values of creating sustainable, human-centered design. “We achieve this by embracing fresh perspectives that drive innovation and elevate the quality of our work,” David said. David has been an invaluable leader and will continue to contribute to the architectural design aspect of our business. “Bringing innovative design and the community together is more important than ever—and that’s what we do best,” David remarked. Here at Mogavero Architects we pride ourselves on having a diverse team united by a shared passion for improving communities through design. This diversity fosters a wealth of ideas and perspectives that enhance the firm’s ability to create inclusive and innovative solutions. Official Press Release here. For a timeline of Mogavero Milestones over the past 40 years click here!